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Minnesota

I did like the baggie method, I was five for five is the fall, and in the spring I was one for five. Using a baggie seems to unreliable to me, so I use the old fashioned way, file soak into seed starting soil, this way if it does not germinate I know it was not from me handling it so much. I think the world record was done the old fashioned way, seed straight into soil. What do you recomend?

1/23/2013 10:31:23 AM

Lloydminster/AB

Once your comfortable with a system that works I wouldn't change. I like peat pellets in particular, the radical is easy to see when it sprouts, like in the baggy system. Reduces all that worried digging at the 4 day mark lol!

1/23/2013 10:45:58 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

If you do the baggie method, do a lot of practice first. I tried it as an experiment, and did not like it at all.

1/23/2013 11:53:20 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

I like the baggie method myself. I plan to stick with it.

1/23/2013 12:21:21 PM

Webster, NY

The baggie method works great as long as you can control the temperature of your heating mat. When I put the baggies directly on the mat, I can get erratic results. I usually put a folded towel inbetween the mat and the baggies. It keeps the temperature at the top of the towel, touching the baggie, at 80 degrees. After that, I usually have 100% germination as long as the seed is good.

1/23/2013 12:36:17 PM

Petersburg, Mi

I have had a very poor success rate using this method. I then changed it over to a peat pot and soil in a germination chamber and I increased my success rate to 95% 19 out 20 last year. I will continue to go this way now.

1/23/2013 12:54:59 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I have had the tap root curl around and shoot the wrong way about 20% of the time when using the baggie method. You can't leave the seed in there too long at all even by a few hours.

1/23/2013 1:18:55 PM

San Jose California

I also use the peat pot and soil in a germination chamber and have had 90% germination success.

1/23/2013 3:11:17 PM

Piqua, Ohio

I soak mine then put them in dry potting soil, put them in an egg incubator at 90 deg. They're usually up in 3 days, then I add water to the soil after germination.

1/23/2013 4:07:54 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I use the baggie method with a digital thermometer and layered towels to control heat with good success.

I agree with Don, if you have a method that works currently, don't change. But if I was mentoring a new grower as I have done in the past, I would recommend the baggie method.

1/23/2013 6:31:31 PM

norway , maine

baggie

1/23/2013 7:57:33 PM

Rapid City, SD

no baggie here

1/23/2013 8:09:46 PM

Johnston, R.I.

I do the soil method, but I also agree with the statement if you have something that works for you stick with it..

1/24/2013 4:37:46 AM

Ontario

Baggie method here, but I agree with Luke, you have got to keep your eye on it ,if your away for any length of time, you might be in for a surprise when you get back. Terry

1/24/2013 9:48:24 AM

Westford, MA

Seed start mix in peat pot in a baggie that I can almost seal with the zip lock.
Seems to keep the moisture consistent, and the peat pot soft.

1/24/2013 10:05:39 AM

Webster, NY

klancy, could you give a little more information on your method with the peat pot in the baggie?

Thanks

1/24/2013 10:40:46 AM

Minnesota

Looks like using soil is used more than the baggie.

1/24/2013 10:55:37 AM

Westford, MA

6" Peat pot just fits in quart ziplok baggie, if you rip top of bag a bit and bend the pot a bit.
The zip will work but won't seal bag.

squeeze moisture out of starter mix
Put bagged peat pot in chamber to pre heat.
prep/file/soak seed/ put seed in potted mix.
I close bag for 1-2 days Not sealed.
If i think it needs water after few days add it down side of bag,
Peat pot stays moist when I go to bigger pot, I leave in peat and pinch/cut out someholes around base of peat pot.

Don't put mix in TOO wet and keep warm.

1/24/2013 3:09:52 PM

San Diego

baggie for 10 years, great germination rate every year. I just did it the old style, ontop of vcr or dvd. Must be the perfect temp

1/24/2013 4:57:53 PM

Whidbey Island

Baby butt-wipe warmer and put moist paper towels inside. Keep temp just right. Once the rootlets show, transfer to soil. The worst part was trying to explain to the sales lady at KMart why I needed one. Seems I look too old to be buying baby supplies.

1/24/2013 9:10:40 PM

Omaha, Ne.

File, 15 min soak. 4" pot dry seed mix on a heated seedling mat, in a seed greenhouse. with about tablespoon on top of the seed. 24 48 hrs. I pull out the seed to see if it germed I 99% of time has. Then I give it a soaking. No risk. Easy besie lemon squeezy

1/25/2013 5:14:33 PM