Sprouting Seeds Using Paper Towels Without Damaging the Roots

[BII]

For many or even most, the paper towel method is their way to sprout seeds. But others cite inevitable damage to fine roots when the seeds are removed to be (trans)planted into medium/soil. Until now, I avoided the paper towel method due to presumed root damage.

I'd like to note a (totally obvious, but I've never seen mentioned) way to avoid root damage - simply never remove the seed from the paper towels. There is no need to do this.

Once I see a tail/root has formed, by holding up to a light the damp 2-layers of paper towels with the seed between, I simply trim/cut off excess paper and plant the paper aligned vertically in my medium/soil. Besides not disturbing fine new roots, the paper holding the seed can be precisely positioned in the medium/soil, both depth and seed alignment (surely better than placing the seed in the medium/soil and then covering it up). With the paper layers aligned vertically, the roots and stem have no problem finding their way out. There is likely less initial transplant shock, with the seed protected from rapid pH, ppm/EC, wetness or other changes by its paper towel protection. And this involves less work, no fiddling with removing seeds from paper towels and planting is much easier. So far, I see the same sprouting and transplanting success rates as starting in root plugs or in the final pots/containers.

 

[JP1]

This sounds genius. I don't think I've ever heard of this method before

 

[Lil Dab]

Sounds like a good idea probably the best way to use the paper towel but what about any leftover residual chemicals from the manufacturing process in the paper towel? Sorry not to piss on the parade I just don't see the need for the paper towel method but I do know lots of folks do.

 

[SOOTDAWG]

Greetings people...woof......this is how i start
soak til they pop and then into a wet damp blue shop rag and into a ziplock and hung vertically for straight roots everytime and easy sowing into my solo cups to begin

Why blue shop rag towels that you get from the auto store because you don’t know if the paper towels that you’re using are bleached or have dyes on them that will kill your seed.

ive been doing this for years

 

[BII]

One reason to use paper towels (or equivalent) is that it's very easy and convenient to simply place the plastic bag (or equivalent) on top of a warm heat source, usually a constant running electronic device.

Regarding, "leftover residual chemicals from the manufacturing process" and "Why blue shop rag towels that you get from the auto store because you don’t know if the paper towels that you’re using are bleached or have dyes on them that will kill your seed:"
Paper towels are made for cleaning, leaving surfaces pristine, including for use around and in contact with food, in kitchens, etc. Besides generally 2 layers of fluffed-up paper pulp (ground-up cellulose, much the same as the cotton rag towels), paper towels will contain only approved food additives; and simply can't be toxic, otherwise the manufacturers would be sued all the time. "Blue shop rag towels" could contain anything; and if nothing else contain synthetic blue dye(s) while white paper towels contain no dyes.

 

[SOOTDAWG]

One reason to use paper towels (or equivalent) is that it's very easy and convenient to simply place the plastic bag (or equivalent) on top of a warm heat source, usually a constant running electronic device.

Regarding, "leftover residual chemicals from the manufacturing process" and "Why blue shop rag towels that you get from the auto store because you don’t know if the paper towels that you’re using are bleached or have dyes on them that will kill your seed:"
Paper towels are made for cleaning, leaving surfaces pristine, including for use around and in contact with food, in kitchens, etc. Besides generally 2 layers of fluffed-up paper pulp (ground-up cellulose, much the same as the cotton rag towels), paper towels will contain only approved food additives; and simply can't be toxic, otherwise the manufacturers would be sued all the time. "Blue shop rag towels" could contain anything; and if nothing else contain synthetic blue dye(s) while white paper towels contain no d

One reason to use paper towels (or equivalent) is that it's very easy and convenient to simply place the plastic bag (or equivalent) on top of a warm heat source, usually a constant running electronic device.

Regarding, "leftover residual chemicals from the manufacturing process" and "Why blue shop rag towels that you get from the auto store because you don’t know if the paper towels that you’re using are bleached or have dyes on them that will kill your seed:"
Paper towels are made for cleaning, leaving surfaces pristine, including for use around and in contact with food, in kitchens, etc. Besides generally 2 layers of fluffed-up paper pulp (ground-up cellulose, much the same as the cotton rag towels), paper towels will contain only approved food additives; and simply can't be toxic, otherwise the manufacturers would be sued all the time. "Blue shop rag towels" could contain anything; and if nothing else contain synthetic blue dye(s) while white paper towels contain no dyes.

I have mine in ziplocks too and hang them in warm closet or at top of my tent hung vertically.

Do blue shop towels have chemicals in them?
“No, there are no chemicals or fiberglass in the shop towels. Our product is used for cleaning purposes, it's not meant for PPE use or making PPE items.
They are made from a blend of wood pulp and synthetic fibers, which gives them their characteristic blue color. no dyes......nor do they go through a chlorine bleaching like white paper towels......which maybe embossed with patterns made with non food grade dyes that could kill your seed along with the chlorine bleach.

i used to use paper towels when i started but had deaths every so often with batches of seeds.....one day i checked on them and i saw the floral print on paper towel had bled to rest of paper towel......after this. i switched to shop towels....no deaths since then and it has been years;
just a tip for those that want to use it...woof!

 

[BII]

I have mine in ziplocks too and hang them in warm closet or at top of my tent hung vertically.

Do blue shop towels have chemicals in them?
“No, there are no chemicals or fiberglass in the shop towels. Our product is used for cleaning purposes, it's not meant for PPE use or making PPE items.
They are made from a blend of wood pulp and synthetic fibers, which gives them their characteristic blue color. no dyes......nor do they go through a chlorine bleaching like white paper towels......which maybe embossed with patterns made with non food grade dyes that could kill your seed along with the chlorine bleach.

i used to use paper towels when i started but had deaths every so often with batches of seeds.....one day i checked on them and i saw the floral print on paper towel had bled to rest of paper towel......after this. i switched to shop towels....no deaths since then and it has been years;
just a tip for those that want to use it...woof!

I presume white, non-printed/non-colored, mainstream, such as name or store brand, paper towels are sufficiently non-toxic, non-leaching. This is seemingly what perhaps most people use to sprout seeds, and we'd certainly all know, it would be common knowledge and avoided, if there were seed-starting or other toxicity problems using paper towels. And if someone doesn't like paper towels, other non-toxic water-absorbing paper, such as toilet paper or napkins, could be used.

The cloth method cited still involves damaging roots by removing the sprout seeds (unless you cut up the cloth and plant small pieces containing the seeds, which seems more difficult and costly vs. cutting/tearing paper towels).

But we all should use whatever method we want, with all of the common methods functionally good and safe. I started this thread simply to provide a potential improvement and simplification for those using the paper towel method.

 

[SOOTDAWG]

It seems you’re unfamiliar with blue shop rags they are not cloth. All they are is thick paper towels that aren’t chlorine bleached or dyed…. no chemicals…unlike toilet paper and napkins which are also chlorine bleached. they rip just like paper towels…. as I have had them grow into the blue shop rags too, and I have had to do what you have suggested and rip around the roots to plant . try them out. We are all here to learn from one another. Woof

 

[paulg]

Bill: I think your idea deserves more investigation. I’ll be trying it on my next grow. I’ve been using unbleached coffee filters but have been successful with paper towels too. Anything that reduces stress on the sprout is a plus.

 

[gardenerjeff]

For many or even most, the paper towel method is their way to sprout seeds. But others cite inevitable damage to fine roots when the seeds are removed to be (trans)planted into medium/soil. Until now, I avoided the paper towel method due to presumed root damage.

I'd like to note a (totally obvious, but I've never seen mentioned) way to avoid root damage - simply never remove the seed from the paper towels. There is no need to do this.

Once I see a tail/root has formed, by holding up to a light the damp 2-layers of paper towels with the seed between, I simply trim/cut off excess paper and plant the paper aligned vertically in my medium/soil. Besides not disturbing fine new roots, the paper holding the seed can be precisely positioned in the medium/soil, both depth and seed alignment (surely better than placing the seed in the medium/soil and then covering it up). With the paper layers aligned vertically, the roots and stem have no problem finding their way out. There is likely less initial transplant shock, with the seed protected from rapid pH, ppm/EC, wetness or other changes by its paper towel protection. And this involves less work, no fiddling with removing seeds from paper towels and planting is much easier. So far, I see the same sprouting and transplanting success rates as starting in root plugs or in the final pots/containers.

Another reason to use the entire paper towel and to reconsider the other method suggested is the discovery of Rhizophagy. seeds contain bacteria, which move into the soil on germination. If you don’t bury the entire paper towel, you’re losing some of them. You might be losing all of them. The other methods may also result in a loss of important bacteria. See “Teaming with bacteria“