Easy Seed GERMINATION - How to germinate seeds

How to germinate seeds The first question you may be asking yourself is, “Soil or Hydroponic?”

So let’s get started growing seedlings!

Although hydroponic grows are an excellent way to grow your plants. There are some things you may want to consider first.

To do it correctly it can be quite expensive and problematic. I would suggest to really set yourself up for success to first grow in some good soil and leave hydroponic growing for a little later.

My list of soil ingredients are Coco Coir, perlite, peat moss, vermiculite, high grade potting soil.

1 gallon Coco Coir

1 gallon peat moss

1 gallon perlite 

1 cup vermiculite (optional)

1/2 gallon  high grade potting soil (without fertilizer)

*note on coco coir, I like the pressed 10 pound blocks. They are easier to use if you place the dry block in a wheelbarrow and add enough water to soften it up so you can break it apart easier.

Throughly mix dry ingredients.

Because there is very little fertilizer in these ingredients, they make an excellent seed starting soil.

Rather then soak the seeds in water for a specified time, I prefer to use these small sandwich boxes.

One reason I do it this way is because I have more control over the process.

I don’t like wondering if they have soaked long enough or maybe too long!

When placed in these breath-able containers you can easily see how they are doing. If the paper towels are damp, etc.

Also, I have had predator bugs eat expensive seeds! And that’s not good at all!

I recommend placing the boxes in a warm place and waiting patiently. Temperature should be at least 70’ but no less as the seeds may not sprout if they are too cold. I have sprouted seeds in as high a temperature as 110’. 

The only risk I would be concerned with would be that the paper towels may dry out. This is another reason I prefer the clear boxes with fold over lids, they help keep moisture in, and you can see if the paper towels are dry.

Most seeds will begin to open on the second or third day.

Use a pencil or something similar to punch a 1/2 in deep hole in the plastic cup soil. This will give the newly sprouted seed some added protection.

Note:

I prefer to NOT fill the cup up entirely, but only half way!

Once the seeds are safely in the hole in the soil, I like to give them a teaspoon of very weak fish fertilizer water.

I like to use one half teaspoon per gallon of water for seedings

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Once your seedlings are a couple of weeks old they are ready to be relocated.

You should be watering your seedlings with the weak fish water until you transplant them.

I like to use small cloth grow bags, as the cloth allows excess water to easily drain away and the roots have better oxygen coming into all sides of their container. Where as in plastic containers the oxygen is reduced.

Here is where I add 3 teaspoons of our dry nutrients (mixture recipe above) to each cloth bag. I like to mix it with my hands into the soil just before filling the bags.

I usually dampen the soil to where it is nice and moist but not leaking or dripping.  Then add your 3 teaspoons  of dry ingredients.

Fill the cloth bag about half way and compress it fairly compact and adjust the height of the soil in the bag leaving just enough room for the 1/2 cup of soil holding the seedling.

Any extra soil mix should be placed in with the seedlings new cloth bag.

When your young plants are beginning  to become “root bound” in the bags, it is recommended that you move to a final container.  Try to avoid plastic as much as possible.

I prefer Felt growing containers which are fairly inexpensive and like the soil mixture,  can also be reused multiple times. 

Please let me know if this has been helpful!  

And be sure to check out our large variety of collectible souvenirs flower seeds 😁!