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Thread: Starting the germination process

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    Starting the germination process

    While I'm on break from school, I wanted to get the germination process going on a small garden. Has anybody used a small growlight or anything else to help it along? Or is it a bunch of pots and soil and making sure the soil is moist? I'm really clueless on gardening in general. Any suggestions would help. It's still too cold to start the garden but I figure by the time the seeds sprout it will be warm enough to start.
    I don’t have “hobbies” I’m developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.

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    ak474u's Avatar
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    Garden centers carry seed start trays with plastic covers and seed starting soil mix which is sterile. Everything I start is in the sterile medium and we have a 4' fluorescent grow light as well as 2 incandescent lights.
    Common sense is so rare these days, it should be re-classified as a super power.

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    bacpacker's Avatar
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    Ak is correct. You can also get heat mats to go under the trays to keep a constant temp. Having the domes helps maintain the moisture levels. Be sure and not over water. You can rot the seed.
    Last edited by bacpacker; 03-26-2015 at 11:17 PM.

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    Here are some ideas.

    Grab coffee filters
    Black marker (or any color you like)
    A seal-able container (Ziplock, small rubbermaid w/lid, lunch meat container with lid etc..)
    And paper towels.

    Moisten the paper towel and place in your container. Write the plant name on the edge of the coffee filter. Put seeds into the coffee filter. Moisten the coffee filter and place in container. Repeat until the container is 1/2 full. Place in a warm area 65-75Fnd check every few days for seeds sprouting.

    Once they have sprouted you can do this with the sprouts and at the end of this they are plant-able.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpNr5T4IJ-g

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    Quote Originally Posted by ak474u View Post
    Garden centers carry seed start trays with plastic covers and seed starting soil mix which is sterile. Everything I start is in the sterile medium and we have a 4' fluorescent grow light as well as 2 incandescent lights.
    Do you keep the lights on 24/7?
    I don’t have “hobbies” I’m developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Vodin View Post
    Here are some ideas.

    Grab coffee filters
    Black marker (or any color you like)
    A seal-able container (Ziplock, small rubbermaid w/lid, lunch meat container with lid etc..)
    And paper towels.

    Moisten the paper towel and place in your container. Write the plant name on the edge of the coffee filter. Put seeds into the coffee filter. Moisten the coffee filter and place in container. Repeat until the container is 1/2 full. Place in a warm area 65-75Fnd check every few days for seeds sprouting.

    Once they have sprouted you can do this with the sprouts and at the end of this they are plant-able.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpNr5T4IJ-g
    I keep the house between 60-68 degrees regardless how cold it is outside. I'll have to resort to a grow light to bring it up to 70 + degrees
    I don’t have “hobbies” I’m developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.

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    I have still yet to grow a brain
    Vodin's Avatar
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    Place them on top of your refrigerator if you wish to save money.

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    I have still yet to grow a brain
    Vodin's Avatar
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    I run an aquaponics system in my basement. I am currently sprouting seeds. The seeds sit on the netting above the water and are under a glass panel. I keep the water at 74-76F Sprouting seeds don't need light. They need light after they are planted in soil.






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    Do NOT mess with him while he's pumping gas.

    ak474u's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2die4 View Post
    Do you keep the lights on 24/7?
    From about 7am to 8:30-9pm. There is almost zero natural light on the north side of the house where the front room. I am however moving the whole setup to my spare bedroom on the west side in front of the window this afternoon.
    Common sense is so rare these days, it should be re-classified as a super power.

  10. #10
    For the Love of Cats


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    One thing I do to pre-germinate seeds for planting, is to take a simple teacup saucer, lay some paper towel across it, and then add the seeds in about a 1 inch grid. fold the paper towel over top and wet... soak, I mean. When they start sprouting, grab your scissors, cut the 1 inch squares between the sprouts, and plant the whole thing. Until they sprout, make sure the paper towel stays WET.
    Give a man fire, and he'll be warm for a day!
    Light a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life!

    Cat's are food... not friends!

    If you're going to fight, then fight like you're the third monkey on the ramp into Noah's arc... and brother, it's starting to rain.

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