In article ,
Bill who putters wrote:

In article ,
General Schvantzkoph wrote:

In an earlier post I listed the varieties of tomatoes that I'm starting
from seed. I started the first four on April 1, one variety on April 5,
and I plan to start the last two today, April 6. There is a huge
difference in the rate of progress between the varieties so I thought I'd
post that info here. I define the start date as the day I put them in a
glass to soak. My technique is to soak in water overnight, then put them
on a wet paper towel placed between two plates. I add water to the towels
as needed to keep them wet (once or twice a day).

The group started on April 1 are listed in the order of growth rates,
from fastest to slowest,

Sun Gold Cherry By far the quickest, I have a plate full of inch
long green sprouts.

Cosmonaut Volkov Doing well, the sprouts are 1/2 long with some
green.

Black Prince Doing almost as well as the Volkovs, about 1/3
inch with just a hint of green.

Legend Just short roots, no green yet.

I'm going to put the Sun golds into peat pots today, I'll give the
Volkovs and Black Princes a couple of more days on the wet plates before
I put them in pots. The Legends might need another week.

These were just started yesterday so there is no info yet.
April 5
Black Sea Man

I'm going to start soaking these today, I'll put them on plates tomorrow
April 6
Italian Grape
Yellow Pear

Are saying you transplant sprouts? Never heard of that B4. I just
moisten small containers and provide bottom heat and light once up
usually ~4 days where they reside till about 6 inches tall and hopefully
stocky then placed out to permanent spot sometimes a cold frame in
chilly and gray. 3 ~ 4 weeks latter.

That's the way that I've been doing it, but "Creative propagation : a
grower's guide" by Peter Thompson:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...stripbooks&fie
ld-keywords=Creative+propagation&x=10&y=23
does it the way that the General is describing. The reasoning is to get
the individuals out before they weave their roots into a tangle. You
pick them up by their dicotyledons.
It should be in your local library. Take a peek at the chapter on
propagating by seed.

I'm looking at the 1992 edition from the library, but the 2005 edition
should arrive in the mail any day now.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the
merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arn3lF5XSUg
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Zinn/HZinn_page.html