seeding questions

sergeant69 · February 22, 2014

back in dec I started some tomato and pepper seeds in "seed starting pellets" in my ULTIMATE GROWING SYSTEM KIT from burpees on my enclosed back porch and got about 99% germentation. tried it again this month w/ZERO germination using their ORGANIC TOMATO FORMULA. I called burpee to speak to a "product specialist" there and she had no clue. all she could do was read the product description from a catalog. she was clueless what the diff. was between starting seeds in a pot and transplanting plants to the garden. I finally insisted on talking to someone that knew what they were talking about and supposedly their horticulturist came online and told me the planting medium is fine but temps `HAVE TO BE between 70-75 deg or no germination will occur. the average temp on the porch is now 78-82 deg and NADA germination in 2 weeks. am stumped. one of my books says tomato seeds prefer 85-90 deg to germinate. first time I've ever had this problem BUT i have never used this medium before either. suggestions??

Fred Hempel · February 22, 2014

I have often wondered if large companies put out inferior "organic" products to prove to people organic is not better....

Doug9345 · February 22, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by sergeant69

HAVE TO BE between 70-75 deg or no germination will occur.

That's just not true. You'll get germination anywhere from about 50°F to 95°F. IT will just be less. I follow this chart as I've found it to be accurate as best that I can determine. http://tomclothier.hort.net/page11.html

Quote:

the average temp on the porch is now 78-82 deg and NADA germination in 2 weeks. am stumped. one of my books says tomato seeds prefer 85-90 deg to germinate. first time I've ever had this problem BUT i have never used this medium before either. suggestions??

75°F is a good temperature for tomato germination. The problem I have with a 78°F to 82°F is what is the peak temperature. If the tray is setting in the sun on a porch that is 82°F it easily could get above a 100°F and kill the seed.

Worth1 · February 22, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

I have often wondered if large companies put out inferior "organic" products to prove to people organic is not better....

That or they prey on the ignorance of people and package garbage for people to buy because if it's organic its got to be good.

Why would I want a bunch of cheap un-decomposed sticks in a bag of soil?

All they do is suck up needed nitrogen so they can decompose.

Worth

sergeant69 · February 22, 2014

no. the tray is in an enclosed area away from the sun or any temp extremes. top temp, as stated is 82. I check temp several times a day and 2-3 times at nite as I want to be sure of the temp spread. also because I live in the country and get up 2-3 times at nite to go to the back yard to...........never mind. think i'm gonna get some more of the "inferior" potting pellets and try again. they've always worked great. unless someone has a better idea.

February 22, 2014	#1
sergeant69 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: south texas Posts: 203	seeding questions back in dec I started some tomato and pepper seeds in "seed starting pellets" in my ULTIMATE GROWING SYSTEM KIT from burpees on my enclosed back porch and got about 99% germentation. tried it again this month w/ZERO germination using their ORGANIC TOMATO FORMULA. I called burpee to speak to a "product specialist" there and she had no clue. all she could do was read the product description from a catalog. she was clueless what the diff. was between starting seeds in a pot and transplanting plants to the garden. I finally insisted on talking to someone that knew what they were talking about and supposedly their horticulturist came online and told me the planting medium is fine but temps `HAVE TO BE between 70-75 deg or no germination will occur. the average temp on the porch is now 78-82 deg and NADA germination in 2 weeks. am stumped. one of my books says tomato seeds prefer 85-90 deg to germinate. first time I've ever had this problem BUT i have never used this medium before either. suggestions??

February 22, 2014	#2
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	I have often wondered if large companies put out inferior "organic" products to prove to people organic is not better....