Mephisto Genetics Germination Issues? Please read

[slowandeasy]

Hello,
I am posting this because I see a trend of Germ problems being more common. Seems like I did this last year around the same time, so I will post something similar this year for everyone. So it is the time where Temps Change for many people. Some of us have snow.

Anyways. I will is myself as a perfect example. If you are starting seeds, Please make sure your temps are 80-85F. If it's 73F. Don't try it you are steady above 76F. Ideally 80-85F . So we had a wave of Cold Weather this week. I also started a few seeds. Normally my tent is 83F on top. This week got as low as 74Fm.

 

[MrOldBoy]

Good point slow .....

This is where a heating matt with temp controller and a seed starter tray with humidity dome works nice.

 

[slowandeasy]

Good point slow .....

This is where a heating matt with temp controller and a seed starter tray with humidity dome works nice.

They are a great tool. I have one myself. The point I am trying to make is that you have to be SURE that your temps are consistent and in the correct temp range. Many people follow the Mephisto Germ guide. I don't, but if people do follow the Mephisto Germ guide, they use their tent and a black DVD case, with Paper towel. It works, but if you try to use this method and you have a big change in weather temps, your tent temps can drop below optimal. Taking longer to germ. For example, we got our first snow fall the other night. My temps were lower for 2 days. I raised my room temps and my Walter White seed popped overnight. The Grape Rolex was put in water at the same time, but had a nice tail in 24 hours. The Grape Rolex germed in 76F water. Once I raised water temp to 81F my Walter White popped a tail. Older seeds can take longer and benefit From 80-85F environment.

Many people right now are complaining about poor germ rates in this Section. Yes some of the seed stock is getting older, and that can effect the germ rates. But if you attempt to start seeds and your temps are not correct, that is human error. It only takes a few days of optimal temps to sprouts a seed. Then you can rock 75F. A seed germed at 73F could take longer or fail. The same seed could germ nicely in warmer temps. A seed needs Moisture, consistent temps, and Oxygen. Which is why I don't use the Paper towel method. In my opinion the paper towel can snuff some seeds out. No oxygen, lower temps, and incorrect moisture can cause failures. I prefer to soak my seeds in a small cup of water with a droplet of H2O2 for 24 hours in 80-85F temps and then plant directly in my medium. 90% of the time they have a decent tail by then. If not, I plant it anyways. The water and temps for 24 Hours is enough to activate the seed and it will germ I my Medium. A good habit is to make your pot that you will place seed into a day BEFORE planting. So your temps in the medium will be much warmer for the fresh seeds. But please don't put blame on the seeds, if you try to make them germ under cold conditions, fix the environment and things typically go very well. Peace, slowandeasy

 

[Olderfart]

Excellent advice, and thanks for taking the time. Last season, a friend of mine killed every seed I gave him trying to germinate on a windowsill. Same batch of seeds, 8/8 germinated for me, but I kept them warm on a wet paper towel. I think you are dead correct that temperature is a big reason for failures.

This grow, I used the cd case wrapped in a towel and placed it on a router to keep it warm. 3/3 germinated, tails in 24-36 hours, heads up after placement in coco/perlite 24 - 48 hours later. Temperatures throughout were ~25C. Warm, moist, and oxygenated gets their happy attention.

 

[Arthur]

In total agreement. Have had ups and downs with germination over the years, breeder not important. Biggest shift in success was when I started using a small china cabinet that has a 25w light in it. Stays right at 80. Haven't had anything to complain about since. Not all pop, but the ratio went WAY up. Everyone's gonna lose one once in a while.

 

[MrOldBoy]

Been soaking seeds in a light solution of B1 or EM1 and rain water -24-36 hours - then direct plant into soil - all this is done inside a humidity dome with a four bulb T5 providing the heat - I add a heat mat under the humidity dome if basement temps drop too low otherwise the heat from the T5 keeps soil right around 76-77 degrees as inside dome is 85 degrees which is controlled by height light and vents on dome - wet rags or open bowls of water as needed for humidity - here’s a pic - dome is inside a homemade enclosure with open to - T5 hangs from joists in floor above - in a corner with electric on a table inside the enclosure .....

On left there is a pot with a seed - note plastic and lid over top - will check and when seed pops off comes the covers - the plastic is then transferred and sits on top of dome so as to dim the light a little for the new one and I also sit plant under the ends of the light - not in the middle

 

[slowandeasy]

Been soaking seeds in a light solution of B1 or EM1 and rain water -24-36 hours - then direct plant into soil - all this is done inside a humidity dome with a four bulb T5 providing the heat - I add a heat mat under the humidity dome if basement temps drop too low otherwise the heat from the T5 keeps soil right around 76-77 degrees as inside dome is 85 degrees which is controlled by height light and vents on dome - wet rags or open bowls of water as needed for humidity - here’s a pic - dome is inside a homemade enclosure with open to - T5 hangs from joists in floor above - in a corner with electric on a table inside the enclosure .....

On left there is a pot with a seed - note plastic and lid over top - will check and when seed pops off comes the covers - the plastic is then transferred and sits on top of dome so as to dim the light a little for the new one and I also sit plant under the ends of the light - not in the middle

View attachment 1148194

Temps are the single most important factor to success. Humidity needs to be high, but I think most people assume it needs to be higher than it really does. A simple cup over a seedling is plenty, however without proper temps failure or delayed germination is a higher possibility.

 

[Olderfart]

Temps are the single most important factor to success. Humidity needs to be high, but I think most people assume it needs to be higher than it really does. A simple cup over a seedling is plenty, however without proper temps failure or delayed germination is a higher possibility.

Hello again Slow,

I have had 100% success with the paper towel/cd case method, I just put the cd case on top of the router in an entertainment center. Always on, always the same warm temp. Works a treat. However, it does mean handling the sprouted seed, and sometimes extracting the tap root from a penetrated towel. While it has worked well for me, I am going to try your method next time around. It seems to me that avoiding having to handle the seed with a tap root, and potentially breaking a pile of root hairs is a good idea, so why not? Thanks for generously sharing your experience on this issue.

 

[slowandeasy]

Hello again Slow,

I have had 100% success with the paper towel/cd case method, I just put the cd case on top of the router in an entertainment center. Always on, always the same warm temp. Works a treat. However, it does mean handling the sprouted seed, and sometimes extracting the tap root from a penetrated towel. While it has worked well for me, I am going to try your method next time around. It seems to me that avoiding having to handle the seed with a tap root, and potentially breaking a pile of root hairs is a good idea, so why not? Thanks for generously sharing your experience on this issue.

More than 1 way to skin a cat. But I totally agree that you put your seedlings root at risk of harming them using paper towel. Now, just like your Modem/DVD case method, consistent temps are vital. You want /need the Cup of Water to be warm like your DVD case and in a dark spot until you plant. A 24 to 36 hour soak at 80-85f will activate any viable seed. You just need to plant directly into Coco/Soil after your soak and keep those temps at 80-85F. Cover with a cup or dome of your choice. If your temps are 75F or below, it can decrease germ speed and slow root growth down. Our goal is to have our Autos to root as fast as possible. This aill speed up the whole grow. If your vegging a seedling at lower temps, the roots wont grow nearly as fast and thick vs higher temps. Peace, slow

 

[Olderfart]

More than 1 way to skin a cat. But I totally agree that you put your seedlings root at risk of harming them using paper towel. Now, just like your Modem/DVD case method, consistent temps are vital. You want /need the Cup of Water to be warm like your DVD case and in a dark spot until you plant. A 24 to 36 hour soak at 80-85f will activate any viable seed. You just need to plant directly into Coco/Soil after your soak and keep those temps at 80-85F. Cover with a cup or dome of your choice. If your temps are 75F or below, it can decrease germ speed and slow root growth down. Our goal is to have our Autos to root as fast as possible. This aill speed up the whole grow. If your vegging a seedling at lower temps, the roots wont grow nearly as fast and thick vs higher temps. Peace, slow

I have made myself a document with a detailed summary of your process for my next grow, ageing grey matter being what it is. As you say, there is more than one way to skin this cat, but I think your process is at least as good as any other I am aware of, and likely better than many or most. When my next grow happens, I will document the germination and transplant process in detail. Thanks again for your efforts here @slowandeasy , you make a valuable contribution to this site.