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Petaluma CA

i started my seeds 2 days ago in plastic bag with a paper towel. today nothing has happened yet but one of my seeds has cracked down the side? is this normal? I did remove the outer shell first.

Paul

5/8/2002 9:55:43 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Paul..this sounds like you used the advanced seed starting method..you have a bare seed splitting at the side..the problem is the length of time without seeing a root..How are you keeping the baggie warm..and if you knicked the tip the pointed end taking the shell off it is over for the seed. need more info chuck

5/8/2002 10:24:58 PM

Petaluma CA

I am keeping the seeds in a bag on top of the fish tank light. i was soo carfull not to damage or touch the tip. i have 5 seeds starting.how long should they take

5/8/2002 10:32:31 PM

Webster, NY

Usually it takes 2 to 5 days. Be careful that it isn't too hot where you are keeping your seeds or they will get cooked and nothing will happen. I use a propagation mat with a towel inbetween the mat and seeds. That usually works all right.

5/9/2002 7:40:41 AM

Western Pa.

Warning!

Several years ago I purchased a propagation mat for around $60, figuring it was the best way to go!(I used a towel also) Last year I lost a Stelts 705 and a 1109 Skinner. This year it was a 1064 Needham and 805 Pukos. After checking with a thermometer, the mat read 120 degrees! I'm back to using the top of the refrigerator, better is not always better!

kilr

5/9/2002 11:43:17 AM

comstock Park Mi

Kilr
I use a Propagation mat that is 22”X60” and have had lots of success with it. Did you also purchase a heat mat thermostat to control how warm the soil gets. I use one and it will hold my soil temps at 80f. As far as the 1064 I had no luck germinating that seed either. First one had no true leaves, the second and third one’s tap roots just curled around in circles. All other seeds came up fine.
Joe K.

5/9/2002 7:44:36 PM

Western Pa.

My prop mat is supposed to have a "built-in" thermostat, which obviously doesn't work too well. It will be going back to the manufacturer! Good luck this year, Joe!

5/10/2002 9:09:32 AM

Indiana

When all else fails, use the cheap college boy method.......heating pad on low. 11 of 11
Tom Beachy

5/10/2002 10:15:26 AM

Central Connecticut

The heating pad has worked well for me also. I set it to low which maintains a nice 80 degrees F. 5 for 5 this year...Chris

5/10/2002 12:24:46 PM

Long Island,New York

Heating pad in beer cooler......10 of 11...........G

5/10/2002 3:20:29 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

If looking for a "different" option of a heating pad try this....
The Miami East FFA had Kindergarden, 1st and 2nd graders make soybean necklaces. They put a soybeen in a plastic bag with a wet cotton ball, poked a hole in the corner of the bag, put some yarn thru it and told the kids that by their own body heat would help germinate their little soybean seed.... Maybe substite the soybean for a AG seed and carry it around with you 24/7. Would only have to worry about damage to the seed from movement.

Anyway I thought it was cute for the kids...Tom

5/10/2002 8:32:13 PM

Sydney, Australia

I have a good method with the advance seed start method. I hang the baggy off the mesh on the back of the freezer in my garage, which is always warm. Works very well and the seeds are vertical, so the tap root grows straight down. I had the same problem of cooking the seeds on the propogation mat.......Ben

5/10/2002 10:24:17 PM

North Ga

drink beer and breath on you plants

5/10/2002 10:57:30 PM

North Ga

carbon dioxide

5/10/2002 10:58:18 PM

Cologne / Germany

Take whatever you want to heat your seeds, but be sure to have a reliable thermostat! I used a fish tank thermostat with an external sensor (you have exotic fish - so it must be exact) that turns off the heating source at 84. Worked perfectly.

5/11/2002 9:41:26 AM

Somewhere in North Carolina

hey i startee my last night with that advance seed starting method. i just kept them at room temp, and i check them this morning, and i was surpised. the root was nothing last night now it is 4 times big them what it was last night. both of my seeds are like that

5/11/2002 12:15:51 PM