Germination Time?

Red Dirt Farmer · March 31, 2011

For those who do this every year.

What would be a reasonable period for tomato seeds to germinate in paper towels at 80 degrees contained in zip-lock bags?

Thanks,
Ken

dipchip2000 · March 31, 2011

Depending on quality of seeds four or five days should do most.

ron

ireilly · March 31, 2011

The older ones take longer though, to the point that I think sometimes they will rot before sprouting if not given a chance to dry and re-wet again, as in soil. My general take is that if they haven't sprouted in the time Ron said, I pull them out and sow them anyway. Look at it like a nice long soaking.

Red Dirt Farmer · April 1, 2011

The reason I asked, this past winter I tried the paper towel method on last year’s seed both tomato and pepper. I placed the container in a warm place and had germination on most seeds by the 4th day.
I am now using the coffee filter in a zip-lock bag method on a seedling heating pad at 80 degrees in a 70 degree closet and I am getting very poor germination. The seeds are this year’s and were delivered from a good seed company.
I’ll try again with another patch.
Thank you for the info.
RDF

March 31, 2011	#1
Red Dirt Farmer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 42	Germination Time? For those who do this every year. What would be a reasonable period for tomato seeds to germinate in paper towels at 80 degrees contained in zip-lock bags? Thanks, Ken

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March 31, 2011	#2
dipchip2000 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 664	Depending on quality of seeds four or five days should do most. ron

March 31, 2011	#3
ireilly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 344	The older ones take longer though, to the point that I think sometimes they will rot before sprouting if not given a chance to dry and re-wet again, as in soil. My general take is that if they haven't sprouted in the time Ron said, I pull them out and sow them anyway. Look at it like a nice long soaking.

April 1, 2011	#4
Red Dirt Farmer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 42	The reason I asked, this past winter I tried the paper towel method on last year’s seed both tomato and pepper. I placed the container in a warm place and had germination on most seeds by the 4th day. I am now using the coffee filter in a zip-lock bag method on a seedling heating pad at 80 degrees in a 70 degree closet and I am getting very poor germination. The seeds are this year’s and were delivered from a good seed company. I’ll try again with another patch. Thank you for the info. RDF