98F heater pad.

[beeman]

I have had troubles with germination and have started looking for answers as to why peppers and Toms take so long, or not at all.
In the past I took a paper towel, wet it, placed the seeds in the middle, folded once, placed inside a baggie with a small amount of air, then placed it on a small heater pad. It's only 17 watt so I'm surprise at the result.
Today I slipped a thermometer under the baggie and found 98F.
Is this too high? Am I screwing the germination?

[ginger2778]

The concise answer is Yep!

Marsha

[luigiwu]

I was freaking out when my thermometer said 86 degrees (and that's with me putting several
layers of buffers between the tray and the pad...)

[Doug9345]

At 98°F I'd expect zero germination for anything. Did you kill the seed likely but not absolute certain.

[Stvrob]

I bet watermelon would germinate well at 98

[lavanta]

Look here for temperature effect :

http://tomclothier.hort.net/page11.html

[beeman]

Originally Posted by ginger2778

The concise answer is Yep!
Marsha

Gee, Thanks to all. Not the best of news, but certainly answered a wack of questions.
Have disposed of the evidence of my ignorance and reset them all.

[Salsacharley]

Here's how I toned down the heat on my heat mat.....

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=31459

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by beeman

Gee, Thanks to all. Not the best of news, but certainly answered a wack of questions.
Have disposed of the evidence of my ignorance and reset them all.

It's good that you can keep a sense of humor about this. Tomato growing has a learning curve for sure, but even when you know a little something, it won't stop you from doing stupid things, just less quantity. I remember when I sowed tomato seeds 1&1/2 inches deep. My crazy logic was" well, if you have to plant the plants deep, why not give em a headstart and sow deeply too?" Needless to say germination was pretty close to zero!
Or how about when I saved seeds by just smearing them on a paper towel, gel and all, then dried it and put it away? then when time to germinate, I just wet the original paper towel. Those that weren't inhibited by the gel being rehydrated died anyhow because fungus (read fermentation) started on the rehydrated gel, and they got damping off, or something!
So don't feel too bad, I bet others have stories of "dumb" things they did as newbies. I bet few of us don't!
Marsha

[PaulF]

Let me see....I think in the past 40 years of gardening there was only one thing done wrong. I thought I was doing something wrong and it actually turned out to be the right thing to do. And I have this bridge for sale, too.

[beeman]

After the information supplied by members I decided to reset my test germination, just a wet paper towel, baggie and NO heat. and guess what?
The seeds I was about to throw out as being useless, are in fact good. I got a high of 100% from seed I saved from last year and other questionable seeds are viable.
Just goes to show how critical it is to know all the facts. My military training told me not to assume, as you make an "★★★ of u and me" How true!!!
Thanks again folks.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by beeman

After the information supplied by members I decided to reset my test germination, just a wet paper towel, baggie and NO heat. and guess what?
The seeds I was about to throw out as being useless, are in fact good. I got a high of 100% from seed I saved from last year and other questionable seeds are viable.
Just goes to show how critical it is to know all the facts. My military training told me not to assume, as you make an "★★★ of u and me" How true!!!
Thanks again folks.

Success! Lovely to hear it. now to go forward and enjoy your garden's delicious tomatoes.
So glad it worked out.

Marsha