Learn about an improved method for seed germination. I demonstrate the traditional paper towel method as well as my improved baggy method. Speed up the germination process for any kind of seed. I have used this method on hundreds of different kinds of seed including perennials, alpines, bulbs, trees and shrubs.
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Chapters:
0:00 Start
1:20 Supplies you need
3:11 Selecting the best paper towel
5:04 The baggy method
8:33 Incubate the seeds
9:39 How to plant the sprouted seed
14:30 What to do about difficult seed
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Recommended Playlists
Seed Germination – Everything you need to know:
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Improved paper towel and baggy method for germinating seeds (fast)
Learn about an improved method for seed germination. I demonstrate the traditional paper towel method as well as my improved baggy method. Speed up the germination process for any kind of seed. I have used this method on hundreds of different kinds of seed including perennials, alpines, bulbs, trees and shrubs.
There are several different methods for starting seeds indoors that work well for vegetable seeds and flower seeds. In this post I will review the various seed starting methods and help guide you in selecting the right method for your situation.
Starting Seeds Indoors
There are three basic ways to start seed indoors; in pots or containers, the paper towel or baggy method and winter sowing. The last one is not really a form of starting seeds indoors, but it is a good alternative for home owners.
Winter Sowing:
Starting Seeds in Paper Towels or Baggies
Pros:
You can see the germination process. Not only is this exciting, but it can tell you a lot about your seed. If you never see the root in the baggy you know that the seed is either not viable, or the pre-treatment was not the right one. If it germinates ie produces a root, then it is viable. If subsequently, the seedling dies it is not a germination problem.
A lot of seed can be germinated in a small space using this method. You can hold 100 baggies of different seed in one hand – try toing that with 100 pots. Granted, if you are successful with all 100 seeds, they do need to go into pots at some point.
Seed that takes a long time to germinate requires little care since the seed stays moist in the baggy.
Stratification procedures are easy to carry out since the bags take up so little room in a fridge.
Maximum use of seed. Since you can see which seed germinates, you need fewer seeds. In the potted method most people plant excess seed and weed out the extra. With this method you can put each seed into its own pot. This can be a real benefit for rare or expensive seed of limited quantity.
Cons:
Requires an extra step. You have to put seed into baggies, and then you still need to pot them up. But you only pot up the ones that germinate.
Extremely small seed can be difficult to handle. The video below shows you how to handle small seed using the baggy method.
Baggies need to be examined more frequently for germinating seed than pots.
No special lights are needed for germination, but once they are potted up they need the same light as any growing seedling.
Vermiculite and Baggies
This is a variation of the above baggy method using vermiculite instead of a paper towel
List of Credits:
Images:
All slides and videos belong to GardenFundamentals.com or are public domain images, except for the following:
Music:
Kevin Macleod: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/
29 Comments
I discovered your channel about a week ago and I've been devouring your gardening videos. I love the red hat and you are so chill and cool and confident in your delivery. NOT in this one. This must be an early video. You've come so far. Congratulations. I've learned alot from you. Thanks. PS your little circle channel picture should have the red hat. 🙂
I do first one didnt realise they didnt need be covered fully ill try second one nxt time i also norm cut up a fresh white tshirt
We did this method in grammar school in the 50's. I thought is was great!! We didn't' have plastic bags but used just the damp paper towel
This is very good interesting educational information for all those people are interested in small gardening and farming on a wider scale. Thank you one million for taking your precious time to make this video. Thank you very much, an i highly recommend you to all.
This was extremely helpful. I used the plastic bag method. Sometimes it worked n sometimes not. You did it different n I'm going to so it that way. Thanks b God bless u n urs.
Margie from Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast
So thourough . Thank you. My Grandmother and sister had green thumbs ! I’ve always wanted one 😊 so ..here I go 🙂 thanks for this simple tool to get started over buying loads of “equipment” that never works for me 😂 wishing myself luck ! Going for zinnias like my Grandmother had!!
what seeds is that the big black balls
I like putting mine on heat as well if they are harder to germinate
Using the warm cold cycle method, how long for each cold and then warm?
Sir you are hands down the dest in the business regaurding the way you present your information. Thank you
Great informative video. In the future growing from seed at home may be crucial.
Do seeds need oxygen? I thought plants like CO2.???
Just mark on the baggy with a marker
QUESTIONS : I hired a fella to use his very large device to cut down phragmites in my back yard several years ago. The phragmites still exist for several acres – I just cannot cut all that. But, I try to keep the back yard under control. About 90% of the back yard is under control. I was able to eventually get rid of all the chopped up phragmites and put dirt over it instead. After several year, most of the back yard in that section is now decent-looking grass. But, there are still some sections where the phragmites keep coming back. Do you know of a "natural" form of "inexpensive" way to kill off phragmites?
Also, grass just won't remain alive in a couple large sections where the land curves in a way that causes the land to stay wait after it rains or storms. Do you know if there is any type of tougher grass that might survive in that type of after?
Finally, I bought some grass seed that claimed it could thicken grass. Wowzers, they weren't lying! That section of my yard started growing ten inches in just four days, while the other part of the yard would only grow a couple inches. I didn't mind at first; however, that type of fast-growing grass that is very thick has suddenly gone crazy this year and spread about forty or fifty feet across that entire section of the back yard! Now, I cannot even turn the "mulch" part of mower on. Have no choice but to shoot it out the side, and then rake. Is there any way to "think" this "thick" grass that thinks it is on steroids?
Is there any substitute available for tissue paper? Can we use plain cloth or handkerchief
What is chicken grit?
Thank you, I loved watching this video as I found it so helpful. I'm new to germinating seeds, particularly in plastic bags and wonder with the box of long term seeds you have, how often do you check them for germination and also what is the duration of the heat and cold cycle? I have a few different seeds that apparently need stratification and would like to try Lilium martagon and also Capparis spinosa (Caper Bush). I'm in Perth, Western Australia just so you know what climate I'm working with. I'm going to be watching more of your videos on germinating seeds as I've been picking up some of the things that I've been doing wrong like over watering.
I grew my first tomatoes from seed this year. I used this method and it worked great. I only grew 4 seeds and got all 4 plants and one of them is even taller than me. They are the sweet million variety and while I only have a few ripe ones, I'm looking at a huge amount of tomatoes. Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing your videos with everyone. I also have question in regards to stratification process for gardenia and rose seeds. I have tried stratifying my seeds, I'm doing something wrong because the seeds never have sprouted. Do you have any information that could possibly help me and others in stratifying our seeds.
Good information !
I'm going to try this with catnip. I haven't been able to grow it from seed in dirt
Marigolds do well doing this. I use a coffee filter so their delicate roots don’t get stuck in the paper towel fibers. It’s also thin enough so you can see what’s germinating.
with your seeds like dust, could you not have just cut the paper towel to size when the seeds have germinated then lay it on the pot then let the roots grow through the paper . then you just prick out when the seedlings are big enough
I think I found a treasure after watching this video and your channel. Your calm manner and your language are easy, especially for non-English speakers.With all due respect and thanks from Syria. 💯👍🌷
I collected some magnolia seeds two days ago and put them in a nylon bag inside peat moss soil and a little water, then put the bag in the refrigerator. Do you think this is the correct way to germinate this type of seed??
Gravity is a lie
After watching your videos, my work efficiency improved by 1000-fold. I can't thank God enough for introducing you to me. Being my teacher, you will always be in my prayers. Stay blessed! 💕
Add one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to your
Water bottle it will provide
Oxygen to the seeds.
In some cases they will
sprout in as little as one to three days.
I have been using the baggy method for the last
two years with great success.
Brilliant!