#1 Seed Starting Method - READ Below

[TexasGardener99]

I am fairly new to gardening, going on 4th year now. Only grow from seed. Through many trial and errors, have found a perfect method to start seeds. It is simple.

Get a wet paper towel, fold it a couple times, sprinkle seeds on it so they set on top of it, put it in a ziploc bag (close). Wait.
You will see sprouts within a couple days, and seedlings form in couple days after.

I use this method for all types of seeds: vegetables and herbs

Just did 3 types of tomatos, had seedlings in 5 days on all 3 varieties. Be careful removing the seedling from the wet paper towel to not damage roots. When I transfer them to dirt, they live and grow.

I had many failures and not good probability of success with other methods, although there surely are other ways. This method is just simple and you can actually see the progress through the ziploc bag, instead of waiting weeks and hoping the soil is moist but not too wet, doesn't dry out.......

[Richard L.]

Good idea with the wet towel, I'll try it with a few vegetables.

[tremuloides]

Agreed on the Wet Towel Method.....

I have done this a few times to get seeds started and it works great!

I use distilled water and an ink free paper towel with ziplock freezer bag.

I place tape on the bag so that I know what seeds are in it and leave them on the top of the computer so that they receive warmth (any warm space will help).

Once they start (depending on the seed...usually within a day or two, again depending on the seed)....I carefully place them in the appropriate mix with tweezers.

Once in the soil they are usually good to go!

[applestar]

In general, it's a good idea to plant them as soon as they show any sign of growth and not wait until roots grow into the paper towels.

To not damage the root hairs, you could also tear a bit of the paper towel off along with the seed and plant them all. Inexpensive paper towels tear off more easily than the "tough" ones.

[tremuloides]

Great Point on the planting ASAP!

Once they germinate....put them in the soil! The tiny hairs that could erupt if you left them too long could hurt the plant....it is just a baby at this stage and best to treat it as such!

[GardenGnome]

idk if this is the 1# way but maybe the cheapest.
I use a 36 cell tray,4 bar light 2inches above my tray and a heat mat set on 75 and my seed germ rate is crazy close to 100%. Depening on what your growing some seeds take longer to pop up.

[Timlin]

I use the paper towel to germinate my pea seeds and then plant them directly into the garden. They like to germinate warm and grow cold so that works perfectly here (Texas you are 3 months ahead of us in planting time...I see you all planting as I leave to head for home in the spring and I drool!) I also test the viability of older seeds this way.

The light is not necessary until the seedlings are coming out of the soil. Only a few seeds need light to germinate and those just need normal room light that they get by not covering them with any soil. The heat on the bottom does make a big difference.

[Garden_by_Faith]

I am having some issues with getting my seeds started. I'm using the newspaper pot method.

Is there anyway we can see some pictures of what the seeds look like right before you transplant them from the paper towel to soil? I don't want to mess this up when I try it.

[m00s3]

wooops did not see this thread

I started the 14th and things have just started to germinate

I have them folded into the paper towel not lying on top and have been keeping them in a ziplock in a shoebox in my closet that has decent ventilation

I have two varieties of tomatoes and basil that have started. Jalepenos have done nothing yet

Today I have noticed red mold. HELP

Tomatoes


[img]https://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7690/1334779354picsay1334779.jpg[/img]

For the heat mat can I use just one that you'd find around the home for aches and such?

Also how deep in the dixie cup is the seed planted also in the little Dixie cup should I poke a lil hole at the bottom?

[img]https://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7786/1334781386picsay1334781.jpg[/img]

basil looking good

the mold has not formed around any of the seeds just in random spots on the paper towel

I also have some in unbleached coffee filters and there is no sign of mold whatsoever