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Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Unfortunately I didn't do germination tests on my seeds beforehand(my fault).
I filed my seeds, soaked them for 6 hours in 3% hydrogen peroxide, put them in most paper towels, and then in plastic baggies. Next I put them on a plant heating mat that is supposed to heat plants(I suppose soil) 10-20 degrees higher than the room temperature. I put a thin towel between the heating mat and the seeds, and covered the seeds with a towel. I opened the plastic baggies this morning, and the moist paper towels feel quite warm(like a warm washcloth used to wash your face).
Do you think this is too much warmth for the seeds.

Doug

4/28/2005 12:15:08 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

My baggie was pretty warm and I thought that my test had failed. But, it hadn't. It just took longer than I wanted.

I guess it's possible to cook them this way. But, maybe you just need to wait a bit longer. Afterall, how does that expression go? "A watched seed never sprouts".

4/28/2005 12:23:51 PM

Utah

... can you put a thermometer on your mat to see how hot it is ?

Low temperature cooking on a Crock Pot is 225°F
Boiling water is 212°F
a "HOT" ... hot tub is 110°F
a "Cool" ... hot tub is in the high 90's
I'd guess water in a typical shower is around 100-110°F
So if that is how warm your mat is ... then you are slightly on the high but I don't think you are cooking your seeds at that temperature.

4/28/2005 1:39:35 PM

Syracuse, NY

although i have often advertised that a higher temperature is good for the germination, yeah, it sounds kinda warm there.....please get a digital thermometer and
stick the tip of it in there and find out the real temp....
they can't be more than 6-7 dollars at the drugstore, the kind used to check a child's temperature..........then, adjust it down to about 85-90 MAX.(!) eric

4/28/2005 6:45:56 PM

Azores,terceira Island

be careful some digital thermometers wont read as low as 85...ryan

4/28/2005 6:49:56 PM

Syracuse, NY

good point! i hadn't thought of that, like if it DID
read like, 85, i think the patient would be dead! bummer...

4/29/2005 12:28:27 AM

Azores,terceira Island

there are digital cooking thermometers that will read that low.

4/29/2005 4:08:22 AM

Chico, Ca

Try one of those handheld infrared thermometers, just point and pull the trigger...

4/29/2005 12:31:54 PM

Azores,terceira Island

if ya got the cash to buy one that works decent.

4/29/2005 2:05:16 PM

Butler, Ohio

I picked up a nice digital thermometer at Lowes for $9.95
It has a long wire on it with a little ball on the end of it. you can stick it right inside the baggie and still zip it shut or put it down in the soil. It's pretty accurate. Just my 2 cents worth. Mike

4/29/2005 4:48:16 PM

Webster, NY

I have a digital thermometer that I use when propagating my seeds. The temp read between 82 and 88 degrees during the three days that it took for the seeds to germinate. One time that I noticed the temperature getting warmer, I put another towel inbetween to keep the temp under 90. All my seeds germinated fine. I use essentially the same method that you describe. If you want to see a picture, check out my diary.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=31814

4/29/2005 7:01:32 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Thanks for all the replies.
I'm happy to report that three of the seeds have germinated, and were planted in a pots this evening.
The fourth one is in the process of germinating, and will be planted tomorrow, if all goes well.
The fifth one hasn't shown signs of germination, but it hasn't even been 48 hrs. since they were put in the moist paper towels and baggies.
I was just thinking of things that could go wrong, and being a little paranoid, I guess.
I appreciate you all!

Doug

4/29/2005 10:37:40 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

By the way Eric, the 945.5 Sherwood I got in the trade with you, was the first to germinate. This one may get the best growing spot:-) I really like the genetics behind it.

Doug

4/29/2005 10:39:59 PM