Perlite Baggie Method

[buffy]

Does anybody have pointers for Kris' Baggie Method in Perlite? I have a thermostat in one of the bags set at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The thermostat controls the heat pad and an overhead lamp. My bags have a couple of tablespoons of water with the perlite.

[Jonathan]

I've had a lot of success using a half perlite/half peat mix.

The water would tend to drain to the bottom of the bag in pure perlite, the peat helps hold it in suspension around the seeds.

I keep the mix about as damp as a wrung out sponge.

Here are a few pics of my set up...

One fishtank inside another, with a 150w aquarium immersion heater inbetween.

End view...

Cement sheet lid on...

Dypsis onilahensis (left) and Pritchardia hillebrandii (right) germinating in 50/50 mix in bags.

The temperature seems to stay at about 30C (86F) which works well for most species - not so good for Butia spp. etc, which probably need higher temps and fluctuating day/night cycles.

I control humidity by proping the lid open during the day...it hasn't been a problem yet.

Hope this is helpful in some way.

Regards,

Jonathan

[chris.oz]

Perlite is ideal to create air space. Vermiculite and peat hold water really well.

So the best compromise to keep the roots oxygenated is to use part perlite and part peat or vermiculite.

I have used a 50-50 mix of perlite with either vermiculite or cocoa peat.

I have also germinated palms in bags with nothing except the moist seeds themselves, but dont especially recommend it.

The advantage of vermiculite/perlite is its pretty much guaranteed sterile.

[buffy]

Anybody using just Perlite. I don't see how they would dry out if the baggie is closed. Humidlity should be throught the roof.

[chris.oz]

Anybody using just Perlite. I don't see how they would dry out if the baggie is closed. Humidlity should be throught the roof.

Buffy,

I have used just perlite in a plastic container. Not with good results.... the seeds dried out, but yes, in a bag the RH would be close to 100%

I might add that vermiculite on its own is not ideal either IMO, especially if the seeds take a long time to germinate. Vermiculite can go slimy

[Kris]

Anybody using just Perlite. I don't see how they would dry out if the baggie is closed. Humidlity should be throught the roof.

Hi,i tried using what you have said for germinating cycad seeds & psuedophoenix group of palms & Borassus.F in baggie bag,this method works like a charm... And to wet this coarse grade perlite medium you will have to use a handheld sprayer or atomiser to spray the water on to the perlite allow it to air dry gently in a natural way.then put this perlite medium in to baggie bags,you need not even fill the baggie to half its volume,just if you cover the seed or seeds with the medium will do.90% of the time it never rots.

And the corypha's seeds from thailand i even tried the same on about 5 seeds,all the 5 did germinate just because they were fresh seeds...And this method does not allow the seeds to rot.But once they germinate,the germinated seeds do not like to be their for long.I do not know the reason why ?

My request is if you have fresh free seeds at your disposal then try..every time you do it you will learn some thing new to share with us.

And believe me i learnt the germination method purely by trial & error.And for tropical climate like mine,the container method does not work well.Since in zip loc method i squeeze out all the excess air from the baggie bag as though the medium is in suction or vaccum..And if the seeds are viable they all germinate fine !

Lots of love to you & All the best

Kris