By Request: Germination test

[pop22]

I was asked about germination methods and the question was which is a better technique, direct to soil or Jiffy Pellets/Rapid Rooters. After some discussion, I decided to test this. Not scientific by nay means but should prove interesting none the less!

Test seeds are: Short Stuff "test 6", whatever the hell they are... I got them for doing a test grow, too bad no one ever told me what I really got!

So, good enough for this experiment, I may toss them when the test is done, I've got more plants sprouting than I know what to do with as it is....lol!

So, 2 into pellets this morning, in a jiffy tray with dome, 2 in my starter pots ( old cottage cheese or yogurt containers ) direct to soil.

Let the fun begin!

 

[HMR]

Looking forward to seeing the results, thanks for testing this man!

 

[dcat0921]

I'm interested too. Can you give us details what you did to each different technique...pre moisten soil, how you prepped the jiffy pellets, etc.

 

[pop22]

I keep it simple. I watered the jiffy pellets with ph'd to 6.7 RO water with 120 ppm of cal/mag. I'm sprouting veggies so I have a Jiffy tray with humidity dome on it. seeds were pushed in 1/4" and covered. The direct to soil are in 24 ounce cottage cheese containers. I like the soft plastic as it makes removing the soil/plant very easy. soil is my simple mix organic: 1/4 coco coir, 1/2 Blacksoil, 1/4 worm castings. Amended with: 1/4 cup of lime and 1 tablespoon of blood meal. push in a 1/4" and covered with soil. Soil was given 4 ounces of water. I spray the top of thew soil everyday till sprout with a spray bottle to keep the surface moist.

 

[dcat0921]

I keep it simple. I watered the jiffy pellets with ph'd to 6.7 RO water with 120 ppm of cal/mag. I'm sprouting veggies so I have a Jiffy tray with humidity dome on it. seeds were pushed in 1/4" and covered. The direct to soil are in 24 ounce cottage cheese containers. I like the soft plastic as it makes removing the soil/plant very easy. soil is my simple mix organic: 1/4 coco coir, 1/2 Blacksoil, 1/4 worm castings. Amended with: 1/4 cup of lime and 1 tablespoon of blood meal. push in a 1/4" and covered with soil. Soil was given 4 ounces of water. I spray the top of thew soil everyday till sprout with a spray bottle to keep the surface moist.

Thanks for that! Just wanted to be sure there wasn't something special or off the wall you were doing [emoji106]

 

[pop22]

I try to do most things as simply as possible. Simple always seems to work best in gardening! When it comes to germinating seeds, I prefer the paper towel method, I've always had the best success that way.

Thanks for that! Just wanted to be sure there wasn't something special or off the wall you were doing [emoji106]

 

[dcat0921]

I try to do most things as simply as possible. Simple always seems to work best in gardening! When it comes to germinating seeds, I prefer the paper towel method, I've always had the best success that way.

Never done the paper towel method. I just soak for 24 hours then drop right in the soil.
Interested in the rapid rooter one as I want to try DWC and I see most people using that method so I want to make sure I do it right.

 

[HMR]

Remember to leave the pellets in standing water so they don't dry out

 

[pop22]

people cringe when they see me transplant! When I was doing DWC, i did paper towel. I pick up seedlings with my fingers. Never broke one yet.

I planted then in 2" netcups and put them in a mini clone box I made. When the root was 6-8" long, I set the 2" netpot in the 10" pot i used. I cut the sides of the 2" netpot open so it would be easier for the roots to push it away. Sometimes, I'd extract the root from the 2" netcup then transplant. I did this just to see for myself if you could. If you wash your hands before handling seedlings, you should have no problem. If I can do it with my big, shaky hands, anyone can!

Never done the paper towel method. I just soak for 24 hours then drop right in the soil.
Interested in the rapid rooter one as I want to try DWC and I see most people using that method so I want to make sure I do it right.

 

[HMR]

How are they doing? Photo updates?