Paper Towel Method - much faster - Page 5

Nattybo! · April 12, 2011

Thanks OP for this thread. This is exactly the help that I need. I have several varieties that are just refusing to germinate

I can not remember a time when I have had so much trouble (I have been starting many things from seeds for years). All the seeds that I am having trouble with came in the same trade so I am thinking that these are just old seeds (all tomatoes).

I am going to try the paper towel/coffee filter method and Carolyn137's method of pinch of blue stuff in water. Thanks everyone!

cgs · April 12, 2011

Thanks Natty - thrilled to think I made a contribution here after all I have received!

A couple new thoughts as I continue to learn:
1. For this spring I started tomatoes in Light Warrior without pre-sprouting and they were up and growing just as fast. So...hmmm, maybe just a bad batch of potting mix last summer or conditions were right. I do think the presprouting is more of a sure thing or has better average results. 2. Peppers do not germinate as fast, so I still presprout them because I am impatient. 3. I need to try the coffee filters, because there certainly is an issue with roots growing into the paper towel

April 12, 2011	#61
Nattybo! Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 272	Thanks OP for this thread. This is exactly the help that I need. I have several varieties that are just refusing to germinate I can not remember a time when I have had so much trouble (I have been starting many things from seeds for years). All the seeds that I am having trouble with came in the same trade so I am thinking that these are just old seeds (all tomatoes). I am going to try the paper towel/coffee filter method and Carolyn137's method of pinch of blue stuff in water. Thanks everyone!

April 12, 2011	#62
cgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 59	Thanks Natty - thrilled to think I made a contribution here after all I have received! A couple new thoughts as I continue to learn: 1. For this spring I started tomatoes in Light Warrior without pre-sprouting and they were up and growing just as fast. So...hmmm, maybe just a bad batch of potting mix last summer or conditions were right. I do think the presprouting is more of a sure thing or has better average results. 2. Peppers do not germinate as fast, so I still presprout them because I am impatient. 3. I need to try the coffee filters, because there certainly is an issue with roots growing into the paper towel