Mephisto Genetics Mephisto Germ Issues - Help Required

[Mizzo81]

I agree. I know Mephisto germ method is used by many. However, a 24 hr soak and directly planting is better IMO. Most important is consistent temps. 80-85F. Plant seeds after soaking and cover with a clear cup. Paper towels can snuff out your seed. Too wet and no oxygen. Use a little Mycos in your Coco/Soil and you will have better results. Good luck

I don’t even soak. I just put in coco and soak then 24 hrs later a little solution over the seed to ensure it’s soaked good. I also after placing my seed I put a few drops of microbes directly on the seed while I get a few things ready usually only 15-30 seconds. Then I wet. I also use mykos and have noticed faster root development transplanting faster with good roots already. Temps temps temps. Funny feeling we will see less germ issues come late spring and summer. I am cheap but understand insulation only keeps heat in if it’s there to keep in. I use a oil filled space heater that keeps the room 10* warmer then it’s set for barely turns on and barely notice it in the bill. Well worth whatever it costs me to have great germ and fast growth rates through the winter months. I see a lot of folks growing in cold basements in the northern or outdoor garages. When it’s - degree F no mater how well insulated u r you r gonna need some heat.

 

[slowandeasy]

Excellent, I am sure that works great . Really they need moisture, warmth, and Oxygen. A wet paper towel can be too wet and too cold and no oxygen.

 

[automan2]

I germ all my seeds by just planting them in moist soil they're gonna grow in, cover for humidity, place on a heated mat. Some of my seeds are 5+ years old and I seldom have a dud.
When I first started growing 15 yrs ago, I went through all the alternative germ methods and found this way the most sure.

 

[slowandeasy]

So after months of trying to get my hands in Mephisto, a local South African seedbank brought in a few packs, at rather steep prices. I picked up a 3 pack of Gold Glue, 3 pack of 24ct and a 7 pack of Strawberry Nuggets.

However, my excitement has been muted by failed germinations. 6 of them to be precise.

I am currently trying to pop my last GG and 24ct seeds after the others didn't pop.

It's now been 72 hours using the recommended technique but this is what I have, the GG has shown some root and the 24ct is cracked, but no root yet from the 24ct and the GG root seems small for the amount of time it has had. One of the other failed germs did the same as the GG and then the root just never progressed. I'm worried this will do the same. The paper towels aren't excessively wet, but moist. They don't drip or anything... I opened up the one failed germ today to take a look at the inside, and it was mostly mushy - making me think it is a rot. But the towels aren't excessively wet. The only thing I could think of that could cause the rot would be the very high humidity within the ziplock, but since that's the recommended method, I feel like that can't be right...

Feedback appreciated.

View attachment 1034329 View attachment 1034330

I start seeds more often than most people. I did a seed starting thread in Real Time a while back. You can look it up if you want. Good luck!

 

[Bestbud]

I have a 95% germ rate using the following method:
1. Soak seeds in a small plastic cup using distilled water placed on a seedling mat for 18 hours.
2. Remove the seeds from the cup by pouring them and the same distilled water onto an unbleached paper towel folded into quarters.
3. Place the folded soaked paper towel with the seeds inside in an open zip lock back and place on the same seedling mat
4. Check the seeds every 6 hours. When the taproot is 3/8" long, plant the seed in the center of a 3 gallon pot in a hole about 3/8" deep and lightly cover with soil.
5. In anywhere from 3-10 days the seedling will emerge.

One thing I have learned about this hobby/experiment is that this crop teaches you about patience right from the beginning. It is for this reason that I've simplified my grow to the fullest extent possible and make multiple journal entries daily to capture temp, RH, growth, feeding, plant issues, equipment issues, successes and failures. I then use my journal to remind myself that with patience, good outcomes are possible and that schedules are determined by many factors that i have no control over such as genetics.

My hypothesis about your situation is that the useful life of the seeds that won't germinate has passed for either the manner in which they were stored before they came to you or the length of time they were stored or a combination of both. I would alert the supplier to the issue and see if they want to make a bad situation good again.

Best of luck!

 

[Simplicio]

So after months of trying to get my hands in Mephisto, a local South African seedbank brought in a few packs, at rather steep prices. I picked up a 3 pack of Gold Glue, 3 pack of 24ct and a 7 pack of Strawberry Nuggets.

However, my excitement has been muted by failed germinations. 6 of them to be precise.

I am currently trying to pop my last GG and 24ct seeds after the others didn't pop.

It's now been 72 hours using the recommended technique but this is what I have, the GG has shown some root and the 24ct is cracked, but no root yet from the 24ct and the GG root seems small for the amount of time it has had. One of the other failed germs did the same as the GG and then the root just never progressed. I'm worried this will do the same. The paper towels aren't excessively wet, but moist. They don't drip or anything... I opened up the one failed germ today to take a look at the inside, and it was mostly mushy - making me think it is a rot. But the towels aren't excessively wet. The only thing I could think of that could cause the rot would be the very high humidity within the ziplock, but since that's the recommended method, I feel like that can't be right...

Feedback appreciated.

View attachment 1034329 View attachment 1034330

I've had trouble with mephisto gold glue.
2/2 failed to survive.
I've never had trouble with any other mephisto strains.
Strawberry Nuggets is my favorite.

 

[slowandeasy]

I have a 95% germ rate using the following method:
1. Soak seeds in a small plastic cup using distilled water placed on a seedling mat for 18 hours.
2. Remove the seeds from the cup by pouring them and the same distilled water onto an unbleached paper towel folded into quarters.
3. Place the folded soaked paper towel with the seeds inside in an open zip lock back and place on the same seedling mat
4. Check the seeds every 6 hours. When the taproot is 3/8" long, plant the seed in the center of a 3 gallon pot in a hole about 3/8" deep and lightly cover with soil.
5. In anywhere from 3-10 days the seedling will emerge.

One thing I have learned about this hobby/experiment is that this crop teaches you about patience right from the beginning. It is for this reason that I've simplified my grow to the fullest extent possible and make multiple journal entries daily to capture temp, RH, growth, feeding, plant issues, equipment issues, successes and failures. I then use my journal to remind myself that with patience, good outcomes are possible and that schedules are determined by many factors that i have no control over such as genetics.

My hypothesis about your situation is that the useful life of the seeds that won't germinate has passed for either the manner in which they were stored before they came to you or the length of time they were stored or a combination of both. I would alert the supplier to the issue and see if they want to make a bad situation good again.

Best of luck!

He did the same method as you. If you guys stop using paper towel and you will do even better. People need to understand that you only have 1 thing to do to germ with the highest success rate. Steady temps 80-85F for 3-7 days. Anyone trying to germ in temps lower can have extended germ times and/or have failures. Heating pads can have hot spots and over heat seedlings. Ideally you don't want direct contact with the pad, rather get the environment up to Temp. If you use a heating pad, a temp control is advised. Good luck. Peace, slow

 

[lunarman]

He did the same method as you. If you guys stop using paper towel and you will do even better. People need to understand that you only have 1 thing to do to germ with the highest success rate. Steady temps 80-85F for 3-7 days. Anyone trying to germ in temps lower can have extended germ times and/or have failures. Heating pads can have hot spots and over heat seedlings. Ideally you don't want direct contact with the pad, rather get the environment up to Temp. If you use a heating pad, a temp control is advised. Good luck. Peace, slow

I like using paper towels but I know the downfalls are lack of O2, papers too wet and temperature not ideal so I make sure those are not negative factors.

Just mist the paper towels so they are moist, not wet. Open them up a couple of times a day for O2. I use a heat mat and insulation to remove hot spots and a hygrometer on top and an infrared thermometer to keep tight track on temps being 85F. I do all that because I like to see the progress of the germination by opening up the towels and because I worked on this method for a long time and finally got it to be close to 100%.

Once I can do this with my eyes closed I'll switch to germinating right in solo cups. And maybe a year after that I'll germinate in final pots! I'm kidding, but its probably true.

Once you have a method that works, whatever that is, just stick with it. Paper towels, cups, pots, plugs, whatever.

 

[nbbeerguy]

Placing seeds in a cup on a seedling heat mat can kill seeds with no buffer between the mat and the container the water and seeds are in gets too hot

 

[lunarman]

Placing seeds in a cup on a seedling heat mat can kill seeds with no buffer between the mat and the container the water and seeds are in gets too hot

Absolutely it will. I put some insulation buffer materials between the mat and the seeds. And check that temp a lot during the day using an infrared. Its simple and effective. Temp is so critical for germination.