Perlite,Vermiculite, Sand or Grit?

You definitely got that right about Lobelia .. Dust!

 

Do you "sandwich" the seeds between the layers of paper towel?

I've done similar with ziplock bags, but using coffee filters, and my experience was:

I excluded too much air from the bags (to save space) - that was my own fault of course​

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Seeing if the seed had germinated was difficult - between the two "sheets" of paper​

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Difficult - i.e. soggy mess - trying to get them out of the bag​

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Perhaps I was doing it wrong, or you have suggestions that work better for you?

My paper towel method is to "line" a ramekin or similar (Yoghurt pots and the like) with kitchen towel, moisten, add seeds, kind of fold over the loose corners and edges so they are close to, but not necessarily touching, the seeds at the bottom. Cover the top with cling film.

Easy to pull back the cling film a bit, re-open the edges of the paper towel and inspect the contents. If germinating can pull the paper towel out by its corners, lay it flat on the table even, and extract the germinating seed / seedlings from it.

 

I use both compost and the baggie method - whenever I feel like it. If I have a lot to do, I might use baggies to save space, or I might sow half in a pot and half in a bag - hoping that one will work.

I started putting the seeds between two sheets of kitchen roll, but found it was difficult to extract the germinated seed - so now I just use one sheet. Its easier to see and easier to handle. On balance the baggie method probably gives better results as it removes the compost and any mould there might be in it. Its very easy to see if the seed itself is mouldy with a baggie. But its a bit more hastle.

I have found that I can germinate very small seeds just as well as large seeds. But the problem with very small seeds is handling and potting on. I feel it needs to be done very early before the roots grow into the paper. But I think someone suggested just cutting a square of paper out and potting the whole thing.

I suspect there are any number of variations that will work just as well, including sealed containers. What the seed needs is heat, moisture and oxygen - and carbon dioxide when you can see green on the leaves. As long as it gets these, it doesn't care where it is as far as germination is concerned. Also its surprising how long a seed can survive in a bag with no compost or nutrition. Bags that I have discarded can still have seedlings growing for 10 weeks or more. They usually die because they dry out (assuming I didn't want any more seedlings).

 

I use a tray with 2" of perlite on top of a capilliary mat. I`ve thrown seeds directly into the flood and drain tub filled with hydroton and they`ve germinated quite happily. They dont need as much help as we think

 

My favourite "dust"! I have six seeds for Lobelia gibberoa to sow (I bought five, but as they're so small they couldn't count 'em properly!), and from these specks of dust there is the potential for a flower spike of up to seven metres!

Yes.

I don't do mine in a vacuum, but I leave very little air in there. But I do open them every couple of days.

I use good quality kitchen towel, or more often than not good quality white workshop towel (a large roll costs about £3/£4 from motor factors, fastening suppliers or specialist workshop suppliers).
Fold the towel (remember to fold one corner over as this makes it easier to open the parcel up to check germination) and wet it through on a saucer of water. Straight away press all the excess water out on a flat surface, open it up and put the seeds in.

I agree, although it doesn't agree with all seeds in my experience. Still very much trial and error here..............

If we give them what they want they need no help. Here's a good one - I've found that my Rhodochiton seed germinates better on top of a radiator where it is constantly heating up and cooling down with the central heating. Makes no sense to me, but I get close to 90% germination this way

 

Banana seed supposedly germinates better with a hot-day period followed by a cool-night period, maybe some inbuilt evolutionary advantage? Perhaps fluctuating temperatures assist some chemical process of germination?

Seeds on thermostatically heated mats will get some fluctuation too - although having said that my tests show that my thermostat hysteresis is only a half a degree - perhaps I should buy a rubbish cheap thermostat instead?

 

Propagators without thermostats have the same day/night fluctuation as your house, but if they are left permanently on they will be permanently 5 or 6C higher than the ambient.

 

thank you Longk! after reading this i tried it out the following morning, so friday morning. i've just checked & three of the four Morning glory "Grandpa Ott's" have germinated & so have the tomato seeds... OMG FOUR DAYS! this is amazing! almost as amazing as the fact they've sprouted at all as the seed is very out of date, neither showed any signs of life when i tried them in compost the last few years...i was going to chuck them out! thanks to you im going to be sprouting most of my seed this way from now on

 

Don't get to carried away - there are some things that are better done the traditional way!
Trial and error is the order of the day..............

 

don't get carried away ye' say? oh well...ehem...too late! nah just kiddin' although i have done some Dahlia seeds im absolutely itching to try all those 'old' packets of seed, i have loads of half packets from donkeys years ago that i just can't bring myself to chuck out glad i didn't now though as i wouldn't have these Morning Glory & Tomato's now would i...thanks to your lovely self

 

well i have to say i may never bother sowing seeds the old way ever again! no longer will there be seed trays cluttering up the place for weeks on end...the only space they take up now is a little corner of the airing cupboard! the Dahlia seed i mentioned in my last post germinated within a couple of days & have now been moved on into their first pots along with the Zinnia seedlings which shot up in about three days (i swear they must have started sprouting the moment i opened the packet!) they're keeping the Tomato's & Morning glory seedlings company i tried some Annual Chrysanthemums seeds the other day & they've already sprouting as have two of the absolutely ancient Perennial Sweet Pea's. there's no going back now folks...i could be hooked on this! who knew popping seed into a bit of damp kitchen role in a bag in the airing cupboard would be so much fun!

 

Honeybunny - don't forget that as they germinate they will still need the space once they're potted on! I did!!!!

 

Clearing my airing cupboard out this morning, who needs piles of towels anyway.

 

ah sure i always sow far too many seeds anyway...in that respect i don't see this year being much different