Coffee filter germination method ?

[luigiwu]

I'm having a tough time with some pepper seeds so I'm trying the coffee filter approach? So, I need to seal them in a blown-up ziplock baggy?
How often should I check on them?
I have them in the oven, should I have the pilot light on? what is the ideal temp?

I did this a couple weeks ago and turned the oven on one day by mistake, ARGH!

Crossing my fingers this works!

[clkeiper]

oops.

I did mine on paper towels in the greenhouse on heat mats this year. I am not sure if I will do it this way again or not. But the temp needs to be in the 80's for peppers to germinate. I would suggest checking them daily +AND tape a note to the oven knob.

[cjp1953]

I was thinking of the paper towel method myself for my tomato seeds.Sounds like a great way to know if they germinated.I bought some Jiffy plugs to plant them in once they germinate in the paper towels.

[carolyn137]

Love me or leave me,or as the song goes , let me be lonely,but here's my opinion about trying to germinate seeds on coffee filters,towels,or whatever,that have been put in a warm place in sealed baggies.

I've been making seed offers for many decades and almost all the persons who have trouble with seeds are those who use that baggie method.

Take variety X,and since I often ask for germination data,several times I've copied down that info and here's a typical example off the top of my head,but is actually what can happen.

Variety X, % germination

90
75
80
0
0
60

The zeros mean, and I confirmed that with them,that MOLD grew and it destroyed the seeds.

I feel so strongly about that that even in my seed offer threads here at Tville I note that and give alternatives.

And also note that results can be different since the presence and number of mold spores in the air or otherwise is never known,unless a microbiologist swabs an area and plates out the contents of the swab,and yes,I'm a retired Microbiologist.

Carolyn

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by carolyn137

Love me or leave me,or as the song goes , let me be lonely,but here's my opinion about trying to germinate seeds on coffee filters,towels,or whatever,that have been put in a warm place in sealed baggies.

I've been making seed offers for many decades and almost all the persons who have trouble with seeds are those who use that baggie method.

Take variety X,and since I often ask for germination data,several times I've copied down that info and here's a typical example off the top of my head,but is actually what can happen.

Variety X, % germination

90
75
80
0
0
60

The zeros mean, and I confirmed that with them,that MOLD grew and it destroyed the seeds.

I feel so strongly about that that even in my seed offer threads here at Tville I note that and give alternatives.

And also note that results can be different since the presence and number of mold spores in the air or otherwise is never known,unless a microbiologist swabs an area and plates out the contents of the swab,and yes,I'm a retired Microbiologist.

Carolyn

Thank you Carolyn,the pug kit I bought is a greenhouse jiffy plug kit.I could just plant 2 seeds per plug.It's what makes this such a good forum.Ask a question and the advice given is time proven.Your advice and experience is something I value.Glad I saw this thread.Thank you.

[luigiwu]

I"ve never started seeds using the coffee filter method but I though I read that it was EASIER for germination - surprised to hear Carolyn's experiences instead though.
Maybe I'll just stick them in the seed starter mix this weekend, with a saran wrap on top and stick the whole thing in the oven instead. That way it'll also be easier for me to see if someone has indeed sprouted or not...

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by luigiwu

I"ve never started seeds using the coffee filter method but I though I read that it was EASIER for germination - surprised to hear Carolyn's experiences instead though.
Maybe I'll just stick them in the seed starter mix this weekend, with a saran wrap on top and stick the whole thing in the oven instead. That way it'll also be easier for me to see if someone has indeed sprouted or not...

That's what make this forum such a great place.People like Carolyn and Worth for examples really give great advice.

[rhines81]

I have used both the Jiffy plug method and the coffee filter method and the results were identical with germination. Just dampen the filter, place your seeds in, fold over and place in a baggie. Pepper seeds can take a couple of weeks to sprout so be patient. 85F is the perfect temperature. Check the baggie every couple of days to make sure the filter is still moist.
I don't use paper towels or napkins because they are very porous and the sprout can get woven into it and damaged when removing.

Originally Posted by luigiwu

I'm having a tough time with some pepper seeds so I'm trying the coffee filter approach? So, I need to seal them in a blown-up ziplock baggy?
How often should I check on them?
I have them in the oven, should I have the pilot light on? what is the ideal temp?

I did this a couple weeks ago and turned the oven on one day by mistake, ARGH!

Crossing my fingers this works!

[clkeiper]

Originally Posted by rhines81

I have used both the Jiffy plug method and the coffee filter method and the results were identical with germination. Just dampen the filter, place your seeds in, fold over and place in a baggie. Pepper seeds can take a couple of weeks to sprout so be patient. 85F is the perfect temperature. Check the baggie every couple of days to make sure the filter is still moist.
I don't use paper towels or napkins because they are very porous and the sprout can get woven into it and damaged when removing.

Well, I do agree with carolyn137... I did my pepper seeds this way this year because it worked well last year for a few varieties I tried. this year... I ruined a lot of (and expensive) seeds too, trying it with the paper towel and a baggie.

They got slimy and yellowish and as the root emerged they died. So, off to the store I trotted to get whatever I could from the seed rack there.

[zeuspaul]

If you sprout them in a bowl of water you don't have to worry about them getting caught in anything. Also they are easy to keep clean. Just rinse them and change the water once a day.