I do a lot of pre germination of seeds, here is a trick I discovered by accident. I double over a single paper towel and place in a quart baggie, sprinkle the seeds onto the dry paper towel, then I moisten the towel. This way I can evenly spread out the seeds. Here is the trick!!! Lay the baggie with the paper towel on top, as the seed germinates the root tip will grow down and not into the paper towel. I can not tell you how much easier this is than trying to tease a seed that has rooted into the paper towel.
I've found that the roots of sprouted seeds are less likely to penetrate coffee filters. I use unbleached ones just to be able to see the little white embryonic roots of very small seeds. I have trouble making them out against a white paper towel. I've also tried pieces of brown paper bag, but they seem. to dry out quicker.
If you use coffee filter #4 instead of paper towels they won't grow into it. Way easier to remove the seeds. I use qt zip locks, and blow air into bag, seal. First moisten filter, slip it into bag. Add seeds, blow air, & zip it up.
I do this with Asters also, I tried normal seeding the first year unsuccessfully, then I saw someone on TH-cam using this method and i works wonderfully.
I have done this, but just a suggestion here- try this method with petri dishes. They are not as cheap as a paper towel, but will last you forever and make it a bit easier- plus because they come with a lid, there is a bit more air circulation, since you don't have to cover them.
Another great, simple idea. How do you determine how much moisture it takes? Spray some water then place each seed with a toothpick in a bead of water? One could also place the seeds on a piece of moistened filter paper inside a petri dish for a bit more control over space and water.
I have a single (rather small) heat mat, and use this method for anything that needs heat to germinate, just so I can save space. I find that if a seed has grown through the paper towel, it's better to just tear the paper towel around it and leave a bit attached to the seedling when you plant, otherwise you will probably break the roots, as I have often done...
I tried 2 packets of cherry phlox last year and could not get them to germinate. I have 2 more packs and if I still can't get them to germinate, I think I am done with cherry phlox. Fingers crossed it works for me this year. I see others have no issues getting it to grow. Hmmmm
So happy I found your channel thru Epic Gardening. Your seed tip is worth trying for sure. I have you tried soil blocking the seeds as normal and then placing the moistened paper towel on top? Also have you tried buplurum in a bag/ this way? I know they require oxygen and darkness to germinate.
Nope, just a sprinkling on top So they’re just covered! Depth is usually is dictated by whether the seeds need light or dark for germination so if they’re already sprouted you don’t need to bury quite as deep. :)
lisianthus are sooo tiny you may struggle to actually see them. i might try a small few only. not your entire package. most lisianthus is pelleted due to being so tiny.
When I save seed- like tomato I dry them on a paper towel and just leave the seeds stuck to it. In the spring when I seed them they have little paper towel bits stuck to them when I put them in the seed tray. I wonder if this helps water cling to them while they germinate.
Any tips for cool flowers? Are there some flower seeds that you do not put on a heat mat? Currently finding it hard to get my snapdragons to germinate, I sow them in blocks and then cover with Saran and place on a heat mat. I read that you do not need to cover them, but thinking of trying to cover them and not use a heat mat to see what their germination does. I have also noticed a lot of my different flower seeds germinate at really varying rates. 😂 First year trying flower farming. Can get my vegetables to all germinate without problems but flowers are finicky
Yes, flowers are trickier! In my experience snapdragons dislike a heat mat for germination unless you have a very cold air temperature, so try skipping that!
@@Blossomandbranch will definitely try that then! I have another quick question, How do you keep your soil blocks moist on the top for germinating? We have tried vermiculite just a light dusting but I notice they tend to dry out as well 🫣 watering twice a day right now
Hello from Italy! Thanks for your videos, love your channel. I have pre-sprouted my bells of Ireland in tissue paper with great success, then placed them in soil blocks. At this stage do they still go on heat mats or do they just need light? Many thanks!
Great idea, I will try this also, since my BOI germination is variable. Did you freeze the seeds for a couple of weeks first, as some growers recommend? My guess would be to keep them warm until at least the cotyledons have greened up.
Thank you! I started little bluestem and a couple other of native seeds of grasses i gathered. I was wondering in your experience if native grasses need light to germinate or darkness? I can’t find any clear answers online, I would think they would need light. I’ve gotten 3 out of 40 of my little bluestem to germinate and I used light, my other native grass didn’t germinate at all. I’m experienced with germinating seeds otherwise and am going to try the paper towel method. Love all your videos!
I germinated Little blue stem in a 5" tray, covered with vermiculite, with no heat,, just in south facing window.. Then pricked them out and into cells. I had a 40% succes rate. I find it's easier to keep evenly moist with a flat rather than cells.
Hi!! Thanks for your great videos. I’m wondering if I can do this with my seeds that are cold stratifying? Just check the bag/towel for moisture and set it in out to pre sprout in a warm spot like you’ve said in this video? Or should this be avoided with seeds that you’ve cold stratified ?
I have such a hard time germinating lavender. Do you find that it takes a long time to germinate? I read that it's a good idea to do the paper towl trick and put them in the fridge. How do you sow lavender?
@Blossomandbranch the first time I tried to sow lavender, I had just put the seed packet in the fridge for months and then tried to start from seed.....epic fail. This time I put them on the damp paper towel in a baggie in the refrigerator.
Hi from Ireland. I tried this with bells of Ireland seeds, nothing germinated unfortunately. Snapdragons/foxgloves I find so easy to grow. I sprinkle them on top of compost then cover lightly. I pop over cling film (saran wrap) and put on windowsill and they pop like mad. Now achillea (think it's called yarrow) I find extremely hard to germinate. Was so disappointed last year, it was my first time trying and pretty much nothing
Bells of Ireland benefit from a cold stratification, so pop the baggie with moist seeds in the freezer for a month first! Yarrow can be very finicky, I find seed quality matters with that one
Man I LOVE your channel so glad we found you... PERFECT delivery and CLEAR CONCISE explanations of specific points without all the fluff and BS some people use to try and make long pointless videos! Thanks again, many blessings!🤙🇺🇸🇷🇺🙏
I do a lot of pre germination of seeds, here is a trick I discovered by accident.
I double over a single paper towel and place in a quart baggie, sprinkle the seeds onto the dry paper towel, then I moisten the towel. This way I can evenly spread out the seeds. Here is the trick!!! Lay the baggie with the paper towel on top, as the seed germinates the root tip will grow down and not into the paper towel. I can not tell you how much easier this is than trying to tease a seed that has rooted into the paper towel.
I've found that the roots of sprouted seeds are less likely to penetrate coffee filters. I use unbleached ones just to be able to see the little white embryonic roots of very small seeds. I have trouble making them out against a white paper towel. I've also tried pieces of brown paper bag, but they seem. to dry out quicker.
Same here. I use the cone filter and just tuck them in like I’m making a pita.
Genius hack, I actually have them on hand too😂thanks!
If you use coffee filter #4 instead of paper towels they won't grow into it. Way easier to remove the seeds. I use qt zip locks, and blow air into bag, seal. First moisten filter, slip it into bag. Add seeds, blow air, & zip it up.
I had the hardest time growing phlox. Last year I heavily seeded a small tray and they did great. No more wasted seed space by seeding individually.
I do this with Asters also, I tried normal seeding the first year unsuccessfully, then I saw someone on TH-cam using this method and i works wonderfully.
This is an awesome tip! My pepper seeds have an issue for me. So, I will give this a try!
I have done this, but just a suggestion here- try this method with petri dishes. They are not as cheap as a paper towel, but will last you forever and make it a bit easier- plus because they come with a lid, there is a bit more air circulation, since you don't have to cover them.
Another great, simple idea. How do you determine how much moisture it takes? Spray some water then place each seed with a toothpick in a bead of water? One could also place the seeds on a piece of moistened filter paper inside a petri dish for a bit more control over space and water.
Such a useful tip. I do the same with my reluctant players and with older seeds whose germination rate may have waned.
Siloe Oliveira from Suburban Homestead sprouts his seeds in toilet paper instead of paper towels to prevent damage to seeds in case they do adhere
I have a single (rather small) heat mat, and use this method for anything that needs heat to germinate, just so I can save space. I find that if a seed has grown through the paper towel, it's better to just tear the paper towel around it and leave a bit attached to the seedling when you plant, otherwise you will probably break the roots, as I have often done...
Thanks for the tips. Going to follow now so I can get more tips besides the one I came to this video for :)
Good trick. I am going to try it.
Thanks for this. My cherry phlox did not germinate and it’s new seed. I use this method for bells of Ireland and saponaria (in fridge then on mat).
It’s truly one of the more difficult to germinate I find!!
I tried 2 packets of cherry phlox last year and could not get them to germinate. I have 2 more packs and if I still can't get them to germinate, I think I am done with cherry phlox. Fingers crossed it works for me this year. I see others have no issues getting it to grow. Hmmmm
I’m having difficulty on my saponaria and bells!😢
Great tip! Thanks!
Thank you
Wonderful tip.
So happy I found your channel thru Epic Gardening. Your seed tip is worth trying for sure. I have you tried soil blocking the seeds as normal and then placing the moistened paper towel on top? Also have you tried buplurum in a bag/ this way? I know they require oxygen and darkness to germinate.
darkness? is it necessary for the phlox? thanks for this! hoping this year to have masses of it!😊
Thank you for this info great tip!
I am going to give this a go, thank you! When you place it in soil are they going in at the depth based on seed packet? Thanks so much!
Nope, just a sprinkling on top
So they’re just covered! Depth is usually is dictated by whether the seeds need light or dark for germination so if they’re already sprouted you don’t need to bury quite as deep. :)
Hi 👋. Thank your all your great videos. I’m learning so much. Could I please ask would this work with Lisianthus seeds? Many thanks Helen UK 🇬🇧
I was going to try that method with lisianthus seeds. what do you think? Great video.
lisianthus are sooo tiny you may struggle to actually see them. i might try a small few only. not your entire package. most lisianthus is pelleted
due to being so tiny.
When I save seed- like tomato I dry them on a paper towel and just leave the seeds stuck to it. In the spring when I seed them they have little paper towel bits stuck to them when I put them in the seed tray. I wonder if this helps water cling to them while they germinate.
Hi. How long did it take to germinate Cherry caramel phlox?
Any tips for cool flowers? Are there some flower seeds that you do not put on a heat mat? Currently finding it hard to get my snapdragons to germinate, I sow them in blocks and then cover with Saran and place on a heat mat. I read that you do not need to cover them, but thinking of trying to cover them and not use a heat mat to see what their germination does. I have also noticed a lot of my different flower seeds germinate at really varying rates. 😂 First year trying flower farming. Can get my vegetables to all germinate without problems but flowers are finicky
Yes, flowers are trickier! In my experience snapdragons dislike a heat mat for germination unless you have a very cold air temperature, so try skipping that!
@@Blossomandbranch will definitely try that then! I have another quick question, How do you keep your soil blocks moist on the top for germinating? We have tried vermiculite just a light dusting but I notice they tend to dry out as well 🫣 watering twice a day right now
@@Rwargrumble Lisa Z. Of Cool Flowers Uses a piece of burlap over the seeds
So, if a seed needs light to germinate, you wouldn’t wrap it in the 2nd wrap, just leave in the baggie only?
Hello from Italy! Thanks for your videos, love your channel. I have pre-sprouted my bells of Ireland in tissue paper with great success, then placed them in soil blocks. At this stage do they still go on heat mats or do they just need light? Many thanks!
Great idea, I will try this also, since my BOI germination is variable. Did you freeze the seeds for a couple of weeks first, as some growers recommend? My guess would be to keep them warm until at least the cotyledons have greened up.
Great video! 😊
Thank you! I started little bluestem and a couple other of native seeds of grasses i gathered. I was wondering in your experience if native grasses need light to germinate or darkness? I can’t find any clear answers online, I would think they would need light. I’ve gotten 3 out of 40 of my little bluestem to germinate and I used light, my other native grass didn’t germinate at all. I’m experienced with germinating seeds otherwise and am going to try the paper towel method. Love all your videos!
In my experience they need light! They are also very slow to germ, often 30 days is normal!!
Awesome! Thank you so much!
I germinated Little blue stem in a 5" tray, covered with vermiculite, with no heat,, just in south facing window.. Then pricked them out and into cells. I had a 40% succes rate. I find it's easier to keep evenly moist with a flat rather than cells.
Hi!! Thanks for your great videos. I’m wondering if I can do this with my seeds that are cold stratifying? Just check the bag/towel for moisture and set it in out to pre sprout in a warm spot like you’ve said in this video? Or should this be avoided with seeds that you’ve cold stratified ?
If you are cold stratifying I would do it in a freezer to maintain even temps and then remove and germinate according to the seed preferences!
Great tips. Excited to try. 🌱
I just tried those and none of them germinated! Saving this for next year.
I ususally don't have issues with germinating seeds, but for some reason I also have an issue with the annual phlox!?!?!
I have such a hard time germinating lavender. Do you find that it takes a long time to germinate? I read that it's a good idea to do the paper towl trick and put them in the fridge.
How do you sow lavender?
Did you cold stratify first?
@Blossomandbranch the first time I tried to sow lavender, I had just put the seed packet in the fridge for months and then tried to start from seed.....epic fail. This time I put them on the damp paper towel in a baggie in the refrigerator.
@@karie3 In my experience the germination phase can take up to 3 months! I wouldn't give up on them too early!
Hi from Ireland. I tried this with bells of Ireland seeds, nothing germinated unfortunately. Snapdragons/foxgloves I find so easy to grow. I sprinkle them on top of compost then cover lightly. I pop over cling film (saran wrap) and put on windowsill and they pop like mad. Now achillea (think it's called yarrow) I find extremely hard to germinate. Was so disappointed last year, it was my first time trying and pretty much nothing
Bells of Ireland benefit from a cold stratification, so pop the baggie with moist seeds in the freezer for a month first! Yarrow can be very finicky, I find seed quality matters with that one
@@Blossomandbranch Yarrow are perennial so may also need some time in the freezer too
That’s so weird. Yarrow germinates like gangbusters for me. No stratification or anything. Maybe your seeds are bad?
Have you ever tried this with Lisianthus?
I haven’t but I have some extras, I’ll give it a shot!
This is what I've always done but I use a coffee filter because I don't get the stuck in the paper towel issue.
We actually started using flannel this year which worked great too! ❤️
Have you try this with lisianthus seeds?
What about soaking in diluted hydrogen peroxide?
Seeds accumulate their own micro biome as they age on the plant that I like to leave intact, soaking it with hydrogen peroxide would destroy that!
Botanical Interest!😂
Man I LOVE your channel so glad we found you... PERFECT delivery and CLEAR CONCISE explanations of specific points without all the fluff and BS some people use to try and make long pointless videos! Thanks again, many blessings!🤙🇺🇸🇷🇺🙏