How I Germinate Seeds

[outwest]

Thanks for all the responses folks. Learned a few optimizations to my process. That's what it's all about. Keep it going.

outwest

 

[caregiverken]

I think there are tons of good ways to do it "right." I also think cleanliness is important, the growers attitude at the time and I choose to plant during the waning moon (as the Native American Indians did). All are good informative posts fo' sho. (and no "my way is better than your way" posts or ego fluffings. Yet. :)

I just read tonight is a "super moon" Gonna be a Big ole full moon I guess...
http://burlington.patch.com/articles/super-super-moon-to-make-an-appearance-tonight-7d50fe99


How many days after the full moon do you start germ-ing Kolah?

 

[Chobble]

digging..not diffing..

I've used a Coffee filter before, The only problem I had was the radicle grew into the coffee filter and when I went to move them to soil, They where firmly secured to the filter and I had to pull the radical off. Most of the seeds where fine but the plant will literally grow into unbleached paper fyi everyone.

 

[caregiverken]

^^^Hmm. o_O..And I hate when that happens^^^

...Gonna have scissors handy next time..cut around the spouted seed...and just plant it Paper and all

 

[Chobble]

^^^Hmm. o_O..And I hate when that happens^^^

...Gonna have scissors handy next time..cut around the spouted seed...and just plant it Paper and all

Very good idea.

Chobble

 

[Mississip Hip]

You can tear the paper and pop the seed germ out, no prob!

Dont ever pull on the seed!! Just wet the paper and get it soggy... and tear it.

 

[vierundzwanzig]

@ all of you guys. are your lives organic ?
i don't mean just eating/growing organic but sit back and let nature take its course organic? seems to me a lot of us are doing and noticing the same things.
nature has a hold on me and i'm oh so comfortable
btw its DERBY DAY and i can smell the manure

 

[Mississip Hip]

Can you have an "organic life' if you own a car?

I dont let nature take its course.

I nudge it along at certain times in certain places....thats what indoor growing is all about....

Influencing mother nature for my benefit.

 

[Chobble]

Can you have an "organic life' if you own a car?

I dont let nature take its course.

I nudge it along at certain times in certain places....thats what indoor growing is all about....

Influencing mother nature for my benefit.

Oo awesome a talk about beliefs and ideals :P

Even indoors you should use mother nature to your benefit! I believe in finding a perfect nirvana with nature and my ladies to get the best possible end result I can.

I was smoking a joint to the moon last night, And I was thinking about how some people worship mother earth for the things she brings to us, and I thought, Ha Im not one of those silly hippys who does. I then proceded to personify mother earth (Yeah I was stoned), In my thoughts I decided that the earth works with any living being no matter who or what it is.

Thats kind of a beautiful thing. So if, I give her the things I need. She'll repay me. and if getting the things she needs means having to drive to pick up 50 gallon buckets of guano, Then I guess that'll have to do.

~End Chobbles Ideals

 

[Mississip Hip]

I'm all about that, too...

But we grow under 1000 watters...lol....

Quite removed from mother nature.

I try to make the girls 'think' its nature.....but Jesus....its my friggin garage!!....lol....

FWIW...I even have local lizards for pets in my spot. I am as green as the next guy. I just dont think a closet, garage, or warehouse can replicate the majesty of mother nature.

We replicate 'just' enough to keep our girls happy and feel hippy dippy about ourselves....lol...

 

[caregiverken]

Well, I don't think the paper towel method is straying too far from nature....;)
It's tried and true :)

 

[Chobble]

Well, I don't think the paper towel method is straying too far from nature....;)
It's tried and true :)
View attachment 214718

Ken Im kind of jealous of those genetics you have right there.

 

[kolah]

Oo awesome a talk about beliefs and ideals :p

Even indoors you should use mother nature to your benefit! I believe in finding a perfect nirvana with nature and my ladies to get the best possible end result I can.

I was smoking a joint to the moon last night, And I was thinking about how some people worship mother earth for the things she brings to us, and I thought, Ha Im not one of those silly hippys who does. I then proceded to personify mother earth (Yeah I was stoned), In my thoughts I decided that the earth works with any living being no matter who or what it is.

Thats kind of a beautiful thing. So if, I give her the things I need. She'll repay me. and if getting the things she needs means having to drive to pick up 50 gallon buckets of guano, Then I guess that'll have to do.

~End Chobbles Ideals

Interesting post/s to say the least. Much of it reminds me of my American Indian beliefs. (yes, I am a proud half-breed, Iroquois Nation, Seneca). It is believed that Mother Earth is a living entity and that she is the True Mother of all things. She gives life. All things are equal in this world and Man is just a small part of the grand scheme of things. The Indians give thanks for her providing water, shelter, sunlight, the wind and so much more....and they give thanks every day, not just on Sundays for a hour or so.
All things are sacred to the old traditional Indian ways. All things. Every thing.

BUT, if she (Mother Earth) is forgotten and/or abused, she will stop providing for us. Are we not witnessing this in today's times? Or is it maybe just a coincidence? It is my strong belief that the existence or demise of the human race pivots on the possibility of the self-inflicted damage that was manifested by the lack of respect and total abuse towards Mother Earth. You get what you give. It's that simple.

 

[Chobble]

Interesting post/s to say the least. Much of it reminds me of my American Indian beliefs. (yes, I am a proud half-breed, Iroquois Nation, Seneca). It is believed that Mother Earth is a living entity and that she is the True Mother of all things. She gives life. All things are equal in this world and Man is just a small part of the grand scheme of things. The Indians give thanks for her providing water, shelter, sunlight, the wind and so much more....and they give thanks every day, not just on Sundays for a hour or so.
All things are sacred to the old traditional Indian ways. All things. Every thing.

BUT, if she (Mother Earth) is forgotten and/or abused, she will stop providing for us. Are we not witnessing this in today's times? Or is it maybe just a coincidence? It is my strong belief that the existence or demise of the human race pivots on the possibility of the self-inflicted damage that was manifested by the lack of respect and total abuse towards Mother Earth. You get what you give. It's that simple.

At a bio lecture my professor walked in and said "People are only afraid of global warming because it will end the human race. The earth will still be here. It will be fine. It will shake us off and start over."

I completely agree. Which is why I try to live my life in a way that nurtures the earth around me, and me helps stop big agribusiness etc. I'm all about sustainability, Like ever farmer should be ;)

Chobble

 

[Chobble]

Thought I would upload what I do since I put my 2 cents in and germed some seeds earlier.

I wasnt to sure how many of these seeds where going to germ so I fit 12 in each 6 pack and 3 in the 4 inch.

Its half Potting soil from a local Compost Company and half light warrior, With the nute pack mixed in. You can see a jar of compost tea with Caps Bennies in there too.

Chobble

 

[vierundzwanzig]

yep
thanks outwest for starting a thread that is packed with info and followers that know/practice what they teach/preach.
@cgk i don't hate much but what i do not like a lot, is a purist or someone who checks an organic list and says "you know such and such isn't organic!?"
@mississphip

Can you have an "organic life' if you own a car?

I dont let nature take its course.

I nudge it along at certain times in certain places....thats what indoor growing is all about....

Influencing mother nature for my benefit.

yessir that's what i call being in tune. some opportunities only come once in a lifetime so you better lose yourself in the moment you know it. em is a genius or observant enough to look out the window.

@Chobble

At a bio lecture my professor walked in and said "People are only afraid of global warming because it will end the human race. The earth will still be here. It will be fine. It will shake us off and start over."

True True and sad. that's why i want to help HER/Earth and continue getting the good karmic blessings.

@kolah what would you think is the best way to give back to the earth? I'm gonna start something extra. maybe for my neighborhood, street or just my house. BTW im in the bluegrass state and we have a million parks that were probably your/our peoples backyards. come to think of it the only one missing might be Seminole.

I think ill read that link from cgk and do a N S E W Sun garden or something astrological if they aren't the same.
Who's gonna start something in the lounge so we can chop it up Organic style and shoot from the hip? I would love to expound upon some of these comments/ideals.
chobble chobble chobble getting it back on track.

 

[nebulius]

I'm a clone guy trying to become a seed guyo_O. Never heard about scoring the seeds, someone mentioned using sandpaper and someone else said a grow stone. Could someone please elaborate how it's done, benefits of doing it vs. not.
I like the K.I.S.S. method of popping seeds, thanks.

 

[Chobble]

I'm a clone guy trying to become a seed guyo_O. Never heard about scoring the seeds, someone mentioned using sandpaper and someone else said a grow stone. Could someone please elaborate how it's done, benefits of doing it vs. not.
I like the K.I.S.S. method of popping seeds, thanks.

K.I.S.S. Really is a good way to do it to be honest.

What you do though is lightly scuff the seed with whatever you choose to use, The "Benefits" are that its supposed to help the seed pop. It can help but most seeds shouldnt need scuffing. You can also damage your seed doing this, but you already knew that :P

Chobble

 

[Mississip Hip]

Scuffing alows more water in thru the skin, more quickly.

Which means seeds germ faster.!!!

I've scuffed a lot of them....I've never damaged one. I suppose you could if you were too rough, though

 

[kolah]

Planting by the moon phases is quite interesting IMO. I do it not only for planting but for harvesting as well and even for tearing up the spent crops. I also incorporate astrology which makes it a bit more complicated for the novice folks. Below is a pretty good summary of using these moon phases as a guide. I won't debate this topic nor have any inclination to prove my opinion with "scientific" evidence. (btw I do not have much faith in most so-called "science" anyway) What I was taught doesn't need science. For what it's worth, for those who have an interest:

Growing By The Phases of the Moon


Superior Cannabis gardens are what gardeners want for their efforts, and planting by the phases of the Moon makes this possible. Seeds germinate faster. Plants are hardier and more disease-resistant. They blossom sooner and bear more fruit. Just as importantly, they better resist the stress of harsh weather, drought and insect infestation.

Naturally, good gardening techniques must still be adhered to. Gardens need be watered, pruned, mulched, hoed, weeded and fertilized. If you have an outside or in side cannabis garden, paying attention to the Moon phases may be the easiest part of your cannabis gardening experience but the one with the biggest rewards.

Gardening by the moon phases is all a matter of timing. Since we are able to anticipate the phases, we can plan ahead and maximize the connection between the solar system and biological cycles to gain optimum results in the cannabis garden.

The Moon symbolizes emotions, instincts, habits and routine. It describes the ways in which we feel most nurtured and secure. The Moon also reflects the public mood as it changes signs every two to two and half days.

The Moon travels monthly through each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac, staying approximately 2 and a half days in each sign. As it does so it forms an angular relationship with the Sun that we call a Phase of the Moon. Phase actually means the angle between Moon, Earth and Sun. Moon orbits the Earth and the Earth orbits the Sun. It is the Earth's orbit that defines the ecliptic which is divided symbolically into the Zodiac.

First of all, phases occur in two stages - Waxing and Waning. The Moon is Waxing - growing - during these phases: New Moon | Crescent Moon | First quarter Moon | Gibbous Moon

It is Waning - shrinking - during these phases: Full Moon | Disseminating | Second Quarter | Balsamic

As a general rule of thumb when the Moon is waxing, plants develop leaves and above ground systems, when it is waning plants develop their root systems. Planting leafy crops such as cannabis that grow above ground are best sown at waxing moon and those that will require strong root systems or grow below ground should be sown after full moon, in the waning phase.

We can now divide these phases into four quarters.


New Moon to First quarter

First quarter to Full Moon

Waxing Full Moon to Second quarter

Second quarter to New Moon again. - Waning

These 4 phases can be useful to apply the rule of thumb Plant | Feed Harvest|Destroy If you get these 4 main quarters fixed, you will go a long way to understanding cycles.

The 4 intermediate phases also form a quaternary of activity.


Crescent

Gibbous

Disseminating

Balsamic

Crescent moon phase is when the best germination occurs and is a good time for thinning out seedlings to give room for the rapid growth that occurs at the next phase. Gibbous moon phase is when there is a greater uptake of nutrients from the soil, and swelling of fruits. Disseminating moon is an excellent time for seed setting and ripening. Balsamic phase is the best time for destroying weeds, pruning trees, and all preparation for the next cycle.

It is important to note that you should not do any gardening task at the exact time of a phase. Wait a few hours. Each of the exact phase positions marks a critical time as the moon makes a shift from one phase to the next.

Because the Sun stays in a sign for a full month there are some months that are better for certain gardening tasks than others. Interfacing the Sun cycle and the Moon's cycle takes a little skill but is not 1 difficult once you apply the logic.

If the Sun is in a 'fertile' sign for a month, then you should take advantage of that month to do some gardening - naturally the best results occur when the Moon is also is a fertile sign and the correct phase with the Sun. The best days for doing specific tasks will depend on the Moon's sign. To synthesize the phase with the sign is important in planting. There is no point in planting at the correct phase, if the Moon is in an incompatible sign - one which might damage or inhibit growth.

Remember the Sun stays in a sign for approximately a month, the Moon passes through all 12 signs in a month, so stays in a sign for approximately 2 and a half days. A new moon always occurs when the Sun and Moon are in the same sign. A full moon occurs when the Moon is in the opposite sign to the Sun.

Originally posted by Goldie......
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Here is a link with pics that may help:
http://ourgardengang.tripod.com/moonplanting.htm
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