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Linden, Mi.,

Do you tomato growers freeze your seeds ?
I do and can not get any thing started ! ?

5/26/2014 2:03:13 PM

Allentown, PA

Temperature and humidity are the two issues that cause the majority of seeds to not germinate.

Freezing is an excellent way to preserve the seeds.

With this being said there are now quite a few variables as to why your particular seeds are not germinating.

Did you save the seeds then immediately freeze them after drying or was there a period of time where they might have been exposed to heat and humidity fluctuation before you froze them?

Also are these seeds two years old or younger? Older seeds despite being frozen will take longer to germinate however freezing retards this degradation.

How are you attempting to germinate your seeds? do you have them on a heat mat in a good growing medium?

If so what is the approx. temperature of the bottom heat that your exposing them to?

Any way other than a controlled germination chamber with bottom heat and humidity assisting germination the longer it will take for seeds to germinate.

For example direct sowing in the ground, using the heat source of an appliance like the top of a refrigerator to set your seed containers on for heat. Setting your planted seeds in a window sill with sun, etc, etc.

In my opinion it's not you freezing the seeds that is the issue, it's what you might or might not be doing that is the issue.

Tell me exactly what you have done up to this point.

5/26/2014 2:45:57 PM

valparaiso, in

I never freeze any of my seeds.

5/26/2014 10:05:26 PM

Linden, Mi.,

I have been useing other peoples seeds
Bottom heat, in a big cooler, heat 85-90
Damp (just damp) soil

5/27/2014 6:03:59 PM

Allentown, PA

What seeds are you attempting to germinate??

Did I send you any seeds?

My own Diehl lines germinated with no issues along with the 4.50 Evens, Osmala, Boudyo, etc.

I'm sorry your having difficulty. With what you have told us about your germination setup I'm at a loss as to why you are not achieving results. How long has it been since you planted the seeds?

5/27/2014 8:03:15 PM

Ely Mn

How deep you planting them?
What kind of pots?
Did you put saran wrap over the tops of the pots?

5/27/2014 8:18:28 PM

N.c.

What kind of soil? A sterilized seed starting mix might prevent damping off.

5/28/2014 6:29:44 AM

Allentown, PA

Some do not like Jiffy brand peat pellets for a starting medium but they have always worked extremely well for me.

Expand in water, plant seed approx 1/4 inch down. place in tray then place tray on heat mat with a setting at 85F inside a small storage tub with lid laying over the top but not pressed down.
My germination rate is close to 95% every season with this approach.
Once the small seedlings have begun their first true leaf I immediately pot them up to 16 OZ plastic cups with holes drilled out on the lower sides and bottom.
It's important to get those seedlings potted up quickly to avoid damping off.

I'm not implying that your germination method is not sound I'm just telling you what has worked very well for me and continues to do so.

5/28/2014 8:33:46 AM

Linden, Mi.,

Sterile seed mix
3" pots and some smaller
Plant as deep as the seed
Did not put wrap over pots
No PA_J seeds not from you :-)
I will be starting Big Zac (trying) :-)

Thank's guys, I really appreciate all the feed back (all the help) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5/28/2014 6:48:54 PM

Ely Mn

I like to put loose saran wrap over the top of them.
that way you never need to water them again until after germ.
just moist,pre mix the soil and the right amount of water in a large
bowl or somthing,take a handful of it,if one drop comes out its to wet.

5/28/2014 7:18:50 PM