Two and a half days ago, I started a new grow using Hellraiser’s germination technique. In 60 hours, four of five seeds popped out of the soil. From this day forth, I will not mess with paper towels, hydrogen peroxide, etc. There’s no need with his approach.
Off to the races …
I’ve always put mine directly in soil as well. I think I’ve only had 1 seed fail to pop.
@MidwestGuy — That’s impessive. Do you use the same approach Hellraiser outlined in his GG grow journal?
I don’t soak mine as Hellraiser does. I just put them directly in soil.
Anything @Hellraiser wrote is golden.
My first grow was using his journal on his first time trying coco and Jacks 321.
He was Hall of Fame grower before switching.
3 weeks in, he said he had never witnessed the growth seen, and using jacks was by far the cheapiest and alot easier than mixing the 11 ingredients he was mixing.
Said He would never go back to using soils.
@Mosca — Yes, I’ve read his journals a few times. It’s like getting a master’s degree in agronomy. Where I live, it’s pretty dry in the winter. The watering regiment in coco is unappealing given the lack of humidity. That said, I’m planning to try coco next summer.
Im West tx, home to Hellraiser.
This was my first grow adding perlite to the coco. I dont think i will the next time.
Had no issues growing in RV shower stall in 100 degree days.
You can fertigate coco numerous times a day. Is it necessary? I dont think so.
The plant dictates usage. My autos are 30 days from finish, i water in the morning lights on. I water cause the pot and plant feel light in weight. Now, by evening, they feel almost that lite again, they are flowering harder, they get fed again. 50 days, they felt like bricks in the evening. No need to water.
I never read his thread but I started doing this on my own. I do place the seed point up however as the new root naturally turns back down and it leaves the hull behind every time.
@Spiney_norman — I had not considered the natural state of seeds, but you’re right, they don’t always follow Ma Nature’s plan!
They will break ground no matter how you orient them, but removing stuck husks is a real pain. If you can reduce the possibility then its just better.
Agreed!!
Guess I’ll have to try that. I found putting them in a paper towel and wrapping it inside aluminum foil to be quite effective. They grew so much faster than putting them in water. By day one they had an eighth to quarter inch root growing. Some people find planting them into soil from a paper towel difficult but it’s not a problem for me. You just have to be gentle.
I also know if the seed is good before planting it as well. I like knowing the seed isn’t a dud before planting in a pot.
To be clear, farmers and hobby veggie growers have been dropping seeds in dirt for eons with no tricks needed to be successful.
I have confidence, soaking a seed doesnt hurt, nor does just dropping a seed in dirt.
What is needed for germination to happen in the first place? Moisture.
I planted winter wheat, no moisture, no germination.
All good
Motherside, red dirt, dads, educated, learned about wheaties when i was a kid.
Wanted to be one, my first crush, traveling wheaties, every year a carnival in small town marking harvest. She was jayhawker traveling with the harvestors. Here one week, moved to the next harvest town.
My mother’s side comes from a small family farm in the Midwest. My love of agriculture turned into a large swath of my career, not as a grower but as someone who supports the business in numerous unconventional ways. I can talk ag all day long.
I never tried the peroxide and paper towel thing. I’ve used the peat pellets and had 100% germination out of the 12 I’ve used those pellets on so far. I boil water first, pour it over the pellets, then let them cool enough to handle before placing the seed in the top. Always pop within 3 days. It’s close to straight to soil.
I have alot of J. DEERE green. My last pleasure was propane 4020.
Nice!!!