New Grower I think I can.....I think I can

[pop22]

I've tried most every technique and with good seed, I always get 100% germination with the paper towel method. No other method had been as consistent. I know all the supposed negatives about it, but it works and works well.
The worst was direct to soil. rockwool cubes work well as long as you PH adjust them properly, I just don't like products that are not compostable. Rockwool will not degrade for hundreds of years! Now that's just me, so I'm not commenting on those who use them, but it is something to think about.
And Jiffy pellets? Either don't use them or cut that net bag off of them they DON'T compost quickly and can strangle your roots.

Ok I will get on my soap box:

Paper Towel Germination


I know that a lot of growers swear by it and their proof is the fact that many plants survive the technique but unless seeds are old or have been stored poorly soaking seeds is not needed and can drown them. Then because they need the instant gratification of seeing the tap root they germinate them in paper towels. If you look at a tap root under 200x magnification you will see the “root hairs” that grow laterally out from the tap root. These become the plant’s uptake roots. They will grow into the fibers of the paper towels and are ripped off every time the seedling is move or the towel is opened – ouch. Then when transplanting it is very easy to bump the tap root tip and damage it or kill the seedling – Why?

Put the fresh or properly stored seed ½” deep in a Rapid Rooter, Root Riot, rock wool cube or similar or right in the soil. Don’t use Jiffy peat pots the PH is too low. Keep moist – not wet, and ~78°F, 60% humidity with your lights running and they will germinate if viable. Most strains will germinate in 5 to 7 days. Some strains take longer than others. The African sativas can take 21+ days so be patient. 5 plus year old seeds require special treatment.

Ok off the box.

 

[Jan:)]

I think I'm going to test a couple diff ways and see which one works best for me. I'm going to have to get some paper towels. Kind of ashamed to say it but I did this last batch in toliet paper
I'll do a soak and paper towel, plant a few right into coco and will leave a few in the cup of water as well just for the heck of it.

 

[pop22]

That's the key to growing, don't be afraid to try various methods and techniques! Hands on is the best teacher!

I think I'm going to test a couple diff ways and see which one works best for me. I'm going to have to get some paper towels. Kind of ashamed to say it but I did this last batch in toliet paper
I'll do a soak and paper towel, plant a few right into coco and will leave a few in the cup of water as well just for the heck of it.

 

[ManWithWrench]

Toilet paper has got to be the most expensive seed starter listed so far. what was the germination rate? 2 ply?

 

[Jan:)]

so far about 40% but I dried out the tp and killed at least three of them

 

[420Forever]

The first white grape stomper is peeking its head out. I honestly cant believe one came up after germinating it in a dry paper towel in the sunlight

View attachment 1183718

into the brave new world! seemz me & @Mañ'O'Green are the only onez who don't uze paper towelz, and with good reazon...but, i digress... fwiw, i jus soak the bean for 36 hrz, then into the final pot it goez & 2d later, it'z up...hazn't failed me yet, so... ppp

 

[Jan:)]

So many diff ways to do one thing

 

[mcpd_refugee]

Up to this point, I have done a 24 hour soak In water and then thrown them into jiffy pellets. I’ve never had a problem with them unless I did something stupid or had a strange seed, but maybe that’s just me. I have seen some pretty massive root systems come out of them, too. That being said, I’m going to try the soak and direct plant with my next grow to see how that goes.

 

[Jan:)]

I'm going to give it a day or so before I go sprout crazy. I'm just going to sit back and try to be optimistic that a few more didnt die

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Jiffy pots are peat and the PH is often too low with them.

I used to think like @pop22 about rock wool but at a cannabis convention I got cornered by a GroDan Rep who dispelled my concerns about rock wool.

This is from GroDan's website:

"Stone wool is a mineral wool made of volcanic rock. Stone wool consists of 5% solid material in the form of stone fibres. The remaining 95% is made up of pores. The basic materials for our stone wool are basalt and limestone. These are melted to form lava in an oven with a temperature of 1,500°C. The lava is then poured over a number of fast-rotating discs. Thanks to the centrifugal force, the drops fly off the discs and lengthen to form fibers. The process can be compared with candy floss being made at a fair. The fibers are then compressed to form a sturdy mass, from which the slabs and blocks are then cut."

It could cause irritation if you breathed in enough dust and I would not want to get it in my eyes of course the same could be said about my garden soil! So PPE is a good idea when shredding this stuff up.

Ways to recycle your used Rockwool

Cut up cubes and add it to sandy or clay soils to improve tilth. Break up rockwool that can't be reused and incorporate it into your outdoor garden soil. It will improve the soil's drainage and aeration capabilities.

Turn rockwool into granulate by running it through a woodchipper. Add some each time you throw stuff out for composting. Rockwool aerates the compost and speeds up composting by 20-30%.

Reuse in planters. Use as “potting soil” for potted plants.

Here is a link to an MSDS registered for rock wool.

http://grodan101.com/sites/default/files/leaflets/MSDS_US_09012011_Note_Q_DEF.pdf