From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Mead, WA

I put mine in plastic bag set on oven, that didn't work then I soaked in water removed shells and kept soaking in water. Saw some growers soaking in a brown liquid is it compost tea or watery soil?

4/12/2022 8:45:47 AM

Circleville

The brown liquid is usually a weakened seaweed mixture. Folks use different mix strength levels. What did you mean when you said "remove shells"?

4/12/2022 9:08:39 AM

Central NY

Here’s a decent quick video…and like bloom says..some use light seaweed in the soak. Good luck!
https://youtu.be/wISFBSOsLQM

4/12/2022 9:19:03 AM

Georgia

The seed starting sub-forum on this website has 22 years worth of questions and responses. You would probably find it a good read: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewBoard.asp?b=9

4/12/2022 9:41:40 AM

New York

I like this video that Ron Wallace made if you don’t use the heat Matt it works just takes longer

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TPih_bPT6c8

4/12/2022 11:05:05 AM

Springfield, VT

From what I can tell there are probably as many ways to start as growers. There are all kinds of filing, soaking, paper towel and pot. In my case I direct seed into a cow pot without any sanding or soaking setting on a soil heating pad. Works great100% for seed 1-10 years old.

4/12/2022 12:03:43 PM

British Columbia, Canada

I file the sides of my seeds, soak them in warm water for a couple hours and then plant them in dirt over a heating pad.

4/12/2022 1:06:31 PM

Colorado

They start easy. Keys are 80 to 90 degree temps. At least a hr presoak and damp but not moist paper towel or potting soil.Best of Luck.

4/12/2022 1:11:57 PM

Syracuse, NY

'Daddy's 590' was SuuuhhhWEEEEEHHHEEETTT!!!
Could I know what seed it was from? eric g

4/13/2022 3:08:11 AM

Grittyville, WA

You can toss the egg carton idea and pretty much anything other gardening "idea" you see on Pinterest. There is a whole 2/3 of the internet which really knows nothing... Probably the side where I belong :) Welcone to the real world Neo...

4/13/2022 4:06:24 AM

Grittyville, WA

Keep trying... :)

4/13/2022 4:09:25 AM

Syracuse, NY

Even I wouldn't generally de-shell the seeds if even soaking in water because that causes sometimes the seed to just 'bloom' like one of those 'blooming roses' made from a carrot?
the seed needs the shell for structure like a H balloon needs a string (may float away); PS---For instance, the seed's tap root needs to hit bottom before it/they can help push the seed leaves out of the soil - if your hands repeatedly slipped off the armrests of a recliner, you'd be sitting awhile, for a BAD example---eric g

4/13/2022 1:30:21 PM

Penryn CA

My method:
1. Gently file outer seed edges.
2. Use a 1:10 Alcohol/H20 ratio and dip each seed to remove bacteria etc.
3. Soak seeds in Kelp Me for 4 hours.
4. Wrap in paper towel with wetting solution.
5. Make sure your heat source is not too hot. You don't want to cook them, and not too wet and rot them. Test your method out on extra seeds, Not the expensive ones ! 😀 You tube probably has a video with a better process.

4/13/2022 2:39:39 PM

Grittyville, WA

Yeah complete de-shelling is only a rescue technique for weak seeds that are struggling. Its cool that you tried it but its kinda like the eject button on a fighter jet... Thats not going to be your primary method of piloting the aircraft, right?

The seed coat does prevent infection for about 24 hours. If the seed coat is cracked or damaged (or removed) then it loses that initial protection then some other form of protection like hydrogen peroxide should be used.

4/13/2022 3:01:52 PM

Grittyville, WA

If a healthy seed is put into healthy soil mix at the correct temp. and moisture, it should be successful.

Without any other gimmicks at all...

4/13/2022 3:08:11 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Take seed out of pack. Place seed in pot of seed starting mix. Maintain 28° until it sprouts. No soaking, filing or fertility dances needed. Well, maybe the fertility dance.

4/18/2022 12:13:43 AM

Lloydminster/AB

Thats Celsius of course.

4/18/2022 12:17:10 AM

Kutztown, PA

Gridiots got the right idea. This year I sanded the edges, soaked them in neptunes seaweed at the "secret" concentration, i.e. the one written on the container, then put them point down about an inch under starting mix. Watered them with the water they were soaking in. They all germinated. I will only add that last year I just put them directly in starting mix, watered them with clean water and they all germinated. So Gridiot makes a good point.

4/19/2022 12:04:24 PM