Germination setup.

[AndyR]

Hi all

I've been scratching about with some new seeds I've purchased and have setup a really cheap germination setup. Basically looked at the cost of heated benches etc and well... I've setup 2 trestle tables, placed some woolen roof insulation batts on top, then placed an electric blanket over this, then 200um plastic sheet taped down to the table.

Using mix of foam boxes (with lids) and regular nursery trays with sphagnum and plastic bags over the top.

Runs at 28 - 30 degrees Celsius and I'm regularly picking out shot seeds after only 2 months. So I'm excited about getting in some new seed for the coming growing season!

Interested to hear about any other home-grown / dodgy brothers / creative thinking / cost effective germination solutions...

[Alicehunter2000]

Would really like to see some pictures of your setup.

[Walter John]

hey andy i grew cycas revoluta and wodyeti bifurcata. i just threw the seed in the garden and walked away, most came up, doesn't get more dodgy brothers than that..

[sgvcns]

Andy

I favour simple baggie method.

They are kept on the top of the heated snake cage for the carpet snakes to monitor.

Works a treat

Steve

[TheMadScientist]

Andy...

I can feel your excitement. I know there are locations on earth as Wal has mentioned that you can just throw seeds on the ground and just like magic....they germinate. I'm 45 miles north of Los Angeles and as I am posting, its over 102 deg. F on my patio, less than 10% humidity and my home is on the top of an old ancient riverbed that is primarily sand. So in order for me to feel "palmy", I have taken some items that were extra and made germinating palm seeds work with some species.

Here is an old plastic ice chest, lined it with aluminum foil, small rack for container stacking, a 40 watt garage drop light, lid raised 1" keeps everything inside 90 deg. F. 24/7. This container had approx. 50 Spindle Palm seeds (Hyophorbe Verschaffeltii).

[AndyR]

Nice setup! I have the bag method happening too but doesn't produce as well as this as it's in the hothouse and has variation in temps.

So I went to take a few snaps to post here and discovered the Dypsis Feneva have sprouted. Potted up 59 from the first flush of 100 seeds so pretty happy with that.

Other seedlings in pics are third flush of Randia Fitzanii and Syzygium Australae. Both have produced about 85% strike rate so far.

Already had one of the tables and the woolen batt, so cost was 1 table $25 & Electric Blanket $35 - Total $60!

Some seeds are happy in the foam boxes, other more tropical I'll either bag them on a thin nursery tray with large plastic bag over it and a foam lid to keep the warmth in, Others like in the case of these D.Feneva, are in 140mm pots with the foam box (minus the lid) upside down over the top of them + weight on top to press it down just enough to close any air gaps.

[AndyR]

hey andy i grew cycas revoluta and wodyeti bifurcata. i just threw the seed in the garden and walked away, most came up, doesn't get more dodgy brothers than that..

I figured you might have a few dodgy bro methods Wal!