Salmon Egg wrote:
I can use some insight on why some seeds germinate more readily than others.
I have been using roughly one inc cubes of rock wool to germinate my seeds.
I soak the cubes in water. That leaves them moist but not drippy. After
germination, I add a dilute solution of nutrients.

Tomatoes: Do some varieties germinate more readily than others? I just
bought some Celebrity seeds. They are already growing. Some other varieties,
from last season, have been in the cubes for twice as long (two weeks) and
show little sign of germinating.

Squash: I have always had some trouble getting zucchini and other
squashes to germinate. Is there a trick to that? Should the apex of the seed
point down? Is there a benefit to using real soil as opposed to the rock
wool?

Don't know where you live, but in the Northern Hemisphere it's pretty
early to be starting warm season plants. I've never used rock wool, so
can't help you there.

Tomatoes: I think there are only minor differences in germination
times among varieties. The problem is likely with the age or storage
method for your older seeds. Just keep sowing more until some
germinate. The standard rule of thumb for planting your transplants
outside is to wait until soil temps (approximately the same as night
time temps) are 50°F or higher. They won't do anything in cooler
soil.

Squash: I always sow these seeds on end, pointy side up, but I've
never started them inside. I wait until the ground is workable and sow
them directly where I want them. Usually, I put the seeds in plain
water in the morning and let them soak until I plant them in the early
evening. They've always been easy to germinate. -aem