On Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:50:04 -0700, Billy
wrote:

In article ,
"David Hare-Scott" wrote:

General Schvantzkoph wrote:
On Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:41:05 +1000, David Hare-Scott wrote:

General Schvantzkoph wrote:
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).


This method is used to display the progress of growing seedlings for
eductaional purposes but I don't understand why you would you do
this to grow the plants. What is wrong with starting them in trays
of seedling mix and pricking them out when big enough?

David

It maximizes yield because you only put growing seeds into the pots,
and you don't have to put more then one in a pot because you know
that that the plant is alive.

Pricking out from a tray has the same result in that you only work with
successful germinations so the labour content is the same. Trays have the
advantage that the seedling is in growing medium and thus getting nutrients
right from the start and it can put roots down and shoots up which can't
happen properly between paper. I am aware that nutrients are not required
at the start of the germination process but in a non-nutrient medium you
have to be on hand to plant them out before the food in the seed itself is
exhausted. In a nutrient medium it is getting fed and can commence
photosynthesis as soon as it is ready and you can afford to wait until the
seedling is larger and easier to handle before pricking out.


How often are you in the position where using every viable seed is
important? If I was given four rare heirloom seeds to grow out I might
consider using paper to baby each and every one. Typically you have many
more seeds than you need plants. Maybe I am missing something but I don't
see the benefit of growing between paper, seems like a lot of fiddling about
for no great gain.

David

When you start multiple seeds in the same tiny cell, by the time that
they are big and sturdy, their roots have intertwined, and it can be a
real bitch to separate them. I know because that is the way I've done
it. I get 70% to 100% successful outcomes with my old way of
germination, but I'd like to improve it. Seems that you would also
reduce the shock of having many of the root hairs stripped off during
separation, leading to a more rapid development of the plant. With the
over all method, laid out by Thompson, you could also germinate more
seeds in a smaller area. The guy's a Pom, maybe your library has him.
Check it out.


I don't put multiple seeds in a single cell. I use these from Lee
Valley. Start in the 72 cell starters for the first round and then
transplant into the 32 cell.
--
USA
North Carolina Foothills
USDA Zone 7a