New Grower Best Germination method for Autos

[AeroHydro]

Just enough air to germ but not grow. Or I wouldn't need air stones in my DWC.

 

[Epic Genetics]

Just enough air to germ but not grow. Or I wouldn't need air stones in my DWC.

seeing how you want to go back n forth , you did say "and it grows just fine"

so which is it ?

actually never mind , dont respond to this

peace

 

[az2000]

The general rule of thumb seems to be that autos hate being transplanted.

I thought that too, but I think it was Muddy who corrected me, saying transplanting is discouraged because inexperienced people mess it up, and an auto's lifecycle doesn't afford the time to recover. I believe he said many do transplant.

I transplanted 28 times in my first photo grow. I felt I got good at it. I may try transplanting an auto. But, my four auto grows did very well starting in a 3gal container. Initial growth is slow. It's hard to get increased nutrient strength to the plant and let the soil dry between waterings. It's a difficult balancing act for the first 2 weeks. But, I'm ok with it now.

Regarding germination, I soak in 0.5% hydrogen peroxide which is 1 part ordinary 3% peroxide and 5 parts water. I add a half drop of SuperThrive just to give the seeds a whiff of better things to come (like when you wake up in the morning and smell coffee brewing). Ph 6.5.

I've germinated 32 seeds and every one has popped in 16 to 48 hours. (I've had 5 that didn't sprout due to me not being good at planting. I've planted too deep a couple times. Overwatered/sprayed a couple times causing the sprout to "damp off." But, I always got a tap root during germination.).

I did the paper towel method the first time I grew. I think it satisfied my nervous-parent syndrome, allowing me to mess with something and see progress. Since then I soak and go strait to soil when there is 1-2mm of tap root.

I like the peroxide thing because it is h202, water with an unstable oxygen molecule. It disinfects and oxygen precipitates out of the solution, forming bubbles on the seed. I think this helps avoid drowning. It also keeps the seeds floating on the surface which may also help avoid drowning.

I've read some people soak and then do paper towel. IMO, that seems like overkill. I'd do one or the other. Soaking seems to protect the seed from too much contact with other things that could damage the root. But, I should try soak->towel->soil since I've been having some failures going straight to soil. Maybe letting the root develop more would help.

 

[Epic Genetics]

I thought that too, but I think it was Muddy who corrected me, saying transplanting is discouraged because inexperienced people mess it up, and an auto's lifecycle doesn't afford the time to recover. I believe he said many do transplant.

I transplanted 28 times in my first photo grow. I felt I got good at it. I may try transplanting an auto. But, my four auto grows did very well starting in a 3gal container. Initial growth is slow. It's hard to get increased nutrient strength to the plant and let the soil dry between waterings. It's a difficult balancing act for the first 2 weeks. But, I'm ok with it now.

Regarding germination, I soak in 0.5% hydrogen peroxide which is 1 part ordinary 3% peroxide and 5 parts water. I add a half drop of SuperThrive just to give the seeds a whiff of better things to come (like when you wake up in the morning and smell coffee brewing). Ph 6.5.

I've germinated 32 seeds and every one has popped in 16 to 48 hours. (I've had 5 that didn't sprout due to me not being good at planting. I've planted too deep a couple times. Overwatered/sprayed a couple times causing the sprout to "damp off." But, I always got a tap root during germination.).

I did the paper towel method the first time I grew. I think it satisfied my nervous-parent syndrome, allowing me to mess with something and see progress. Since then I soak and go strait to soil when there is 1-2mm of tap root.

I like the peroxide thing because it is h202, water with an unstable oxygen molecule. It disinfects and oxygen precipitates out of the solution, forming bubbles on the seed. I think this helps avoid drowning. It also keeps the seeds floating on the surface which may also help avoid drowning.

I've read some people soak and then do paper towel. IMO, that seems like overkill. I'd do one or the other. Soaking seems to protect the seed from too much contact with other things that could damage the root. But, I should try soak->towel->soil since I've been having some failures going straight to soil. Maybe letting the root develop more would help.

you want the seeds to sink

they wont drown , ive forgotten seeds in a glass of water in my cupboard for 5 days and they were fine , nice 1 inch tap roots n all

you do not need to worry about adding any peroxide or super thrive , they arent feeding yet and when they do they do it with whats already provided to them within the shell and cotyledon leaves , and because they arent feeding while attempting to germinate you can use straight tap water and not even worry about the ph , even crappy tap water from the city im from

you mention you have germed 32 seeds , i germ on average 100-200 a month , just did 60+ from cres/krk/highrise seeds and got 100% germ rate

peace

 

[medic1]

Being a dirt only grower, the only time I have experienced algae growth on top of my containers is when they are over watered. I've found that a mulch on top tends to eliminate algae along with not over watering. I have seen mold grow on leaves in my aero cloner since I tend to leave several small branches and leaves on my cuttings plus the grow tip. When it takes a longer time to root some of the lower leaves die off and can mold when not removed.

- - - Updated - - -


For me, I don't water when the lights are out. IMO it promotes mold. The water can't evaporate and it becomes stagnant. Just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

 

[az2000]

you want the seeds to sink

If you mean sinking shows the seed is viable, tapping them into the water with a finger causes them to sink. The peroxide will dissipate more oxygen bubbles, causing the seed to float again. To me it seems like the best of both worlds. Ready supply of air and moisture.

you mention you have germed 32 seeds , i germ on average 100-200 a month , just did 60+ from cres/krk/highrise seeds and got 100% germ

Thanks for mentioning that. It caused me to think about how I should try it without h202 and/or without 1/2 drop/gal SuperThrive. I chose a germination method when I began growing and stuck with it. It would help to try some variations.

Somewhat related point: Someone posted the other night that flushing with low-PPM (ro/distilled) water can strip nutes from the soil (through equilibrium). That it's better to raise flush water to 200ppm. That and your post (causing me to rethink my germ technique) has got me wondering if soaking seeds in RO water might have a similar effect. That it might leach nutrients stored in the seed?

If I wanted to raise ppm of soak water, I wonder what the safest way to do that is. The store sells bottled "Spring Water" which I believe is unfiltered compared to "Drinking Water." Maybe that would be a better choice for germing. (I don't want to use tap water because mine is high ppm and has chloramine.).

Oh, well. Sorry for hijacking the OP's topic.