starting seeds - Page 2

kath · July 17, 2012

I would add Palanacko Cudo to the list of really good sweet red peppers- it's almost the same as Slonovo Uvo.

Fat Charlie · September 10, 2012

This was my second year starting from seeds and I didn't know about starting them early. On the plus side, my dining room/greenhouse is going to get started really early next year!

bower · September 18, 2012

I tried a new germination technique for peppers this year, and it really worked. The trick is to completely immerse the seeds in a little cup of water for 24 hours, then strain off the water and sow them with bottom heat as usual. I had close to 100% germination for most of the varieties, many began to emerge within three days.

Compared to past attempts by direct sowing or the pre-soak on a moist paper towel etcetera, this technique is so much better.

One thing I noticed is that the not so good seed also float, which gives you an idea right away of the seed viability and how many to expect. But within the 24 hours, some of those early floaters also imbibe enough water to sink to the bottom, and they do indeed germinate as well as the others.

rsrb · September 24, 2012

Do you do this for all seeds or just peppers? At a glance, assuming availability of many small cups and much counter space, seems much easier than the venerable "baggie" method, though that has advantage of taking very little space.

bower · September 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsrb

Do you do this for all seeds or just peppers? At a glance, assuming availability of many small cups and much counter space, seems much easier than the venerable "baggie" method, though that has advantage of taking very little space.

Well, I have done a 24 hr soak for peas with good results, and it would probably be okay for tomatoes too, although I haven't tried it - they germinate pretty quickly sown direct. I would try this for other seeds that are hard to germinate, or that have reduced viability because they're old. Old tomato seed might be very dried up, and float initially, but may soak up enough by the overnight swim. Just speculating.
On the other hand, I've read that beans should not be soaked any more than a couple of hours.

It would be a mess, though, for seed like lettuce and brassicas that germinate within 24 hours anyway - you'd have a pan of sprouts to deal with.

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July 17, 2012	#16
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	I would add Palanacko Cudo to the list of really good sweet red peppers- it's almost the same as Slonovo Uvo.

September 10, 2012	#17
Fat Charlie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NewHampshire Zone 5a Posts: 83	This was my second year starting from seeds and I didn't know about starting them early. On the plus side, my dining room/greenhouse is going to get started really early next year!

September 18, 2012	#18
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,794	I tried a new germination technique for peppers this year, and it really worked. The trick is to completely immerse the seeds in a little cup of water for 24 hours, then strain off the water and sow them with bottom heat as usual. I had close to 100% germination for most of the varieties, many began to emerge within three days. Compared to past attempts by direct sowing or the pre-soak on a moist paper towel etcetera, this technique is so much better. One thing I noticed is that the not so good seed also float, which gives you an idea right away of the seed viability and how many to expect. But within the 24 hours, some of those early floaters also imbibe enough water to sink to the bottom, and they do indeed germinate as well as the others.

September 24, 2012	#19
rsrb Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 16	Do you do this for all seeds or just peppers? At a glance, assuming availability of many small cups and much counter space, seems much easier than the venerable "baggie" method, though that has advantage of taking very little space.