Germination!

[White_Russian]

Best technique's for germination? I've used many different method's in the past and was wondring which is the best? Im going to be starting 40 seeds and would like high germination results, what is the key to the seed growing and not dying or simply just not sprouting? Too much water in the past could be my down fall and to low of ambiant........ Any help would be appriciated

[Konon]

put your seeds in between 2 damp paper towels, put the paper towels in a plastic ziploc bag and put the bag in a dark space. Check it in 2 days. Can take up to a week for that many to sprout, but most will sprout in 2-5 days.

[White_Russian]

Ok i got that much ive done this a few times im just trying to get 99%.
- Ambiant temp 70-90 any way besides a space heater to achieve this?
- once the seed has cracked and the tap root is visible does it need light to reach the surface? Is it possible to use complete darkness to germinate and have lil baby's or do you need floro's to get them to come outta the medium?

[White_Russian]

I guess my main problem is i get the seed to crack shows the tap root i place the seed in my planting medium and it never sprouts doesnt seem to move from the time i place it in there and eventually it rot's away. what would cause this to low of temp and obviously too much water?

[Anony]

What I would recommend you do is use a spray bottle to keep the paper towels moist while you germinate. Check it every 12 hours, not days. (superthrive and using distilled or 48 hour old tap water helps your chances)

Once you get the tap root, saturate soil thoroughly inside of the container you want to use, and make a hole just a tiny bit larger than the seed+tap root with a sterile tool like a pair of tweezers or a screwdriver.
Plant the germinated seed root facing down inside the hole, and very lightly cover up the seed with the same tool you used. Give the soil around it a very light spray of water out of a spray bottle, and again every 12 hours after that.
You must be patient, sometimes takes a few days, dont go digging it out to check on it. It needs to establish a root system. Once the seed pops through the soil, you can spray that with water which will help it fall off sooner.

You can either wait to put it under light until it shows through the soil, or put it under the light right away. Keep in mind if you put it under the light right away, you might need to spray it more often than if left in the dark due to evaporation and humidity levels.
This process should last you until you get your first set of leaves.

[White_Russian]

alright good info how did you know i dig the seed up to check on it? ha
- does temperature matter?