Chemistry of Plant Life

[vanamoinen1]

oops, my last post was actually directed to a different question.

but as to this one, when i was a kid, my mother taught me a method for germinating seeds--you simply put them on a piece of paper towel, fold up the towel and pour water over it, wring out most of the water so that the towel is merely damp, put it in a bowl covered with cling film (saran wrap) and put the bowl in a warm place (like the top of the fridge). benefits of this method: (since is was a kid) you actually get to see the start of the germination--root tips extend relatively quickly for most seeds you'd grow for the garden; you can (gently) transplant the germinating seed to your seed growing medium and not waste your time/resources with seeds that never do germinate. with some seeds (for example, columbine and acanthus) a few drops of hydrogen peroxide applied to the towel may be helpful. with some seeds (e.g. lupines, primroses) with which light is beneficial to germination, you should not use this method--but knock yourself out with corn, peas, beans, tomatoes, melons, delphiniums, zinnias, lilacs, rhododendrons and so on.

beyond seeds, grafting, layering, cuttings, proliferations etc. present all sorts of interesting solutions to increasing plants in the garden.

[Michaelangelica]

[freeztar]

I've often used the paper towel method to germinate seeds. It's a great way to get a variety of seeds to quickly germinate (thanks for the H2O2 reference ).

A problem I've often faced is successfully getting the plants into the ground. We have a lot of clay here in Georgia and I have found that most plants die after being introduced to the native ground. So, all my plants are in pots. It's easier soil to work with and it's easier to control the conditions. Plant transfers from the towel to the pot are much easier, imho.

I wouldn't mind more advice though.

[Moontanman]

I use a good fungus powder to treat my seeds and put them in paper towels to allow them to germinate. i am still having problems with tree seeds, many are quite difficult to germinate, at least for me.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Moontanman

I use a good fungus powder to treat my seeds and put them in paper towels to allow them to germinate. i am still having problems with tree seeds, many are quite difficult to germinate, at least for me.

Fungus powder? What do you use, specifically?

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Fungus powder? What do you use, specifically?

I'll have to get back to you on that freezy, I went out and looked through my old greenhouse supplies but i couldn't find it. It has to be there, it's not something you would throw away. It's quite powerful stuff a tiny bottle goes a long way. I'll open up some more boxes tomorrow.