Do you use promix or sunshine mix for seeds?

[Hardypalms]

I have germinated seeds before but not like this. I watched a couple of videos of germinating with the baggy method. They mention “”Sunshinemix” and “Promix” without really showing the bag.

Do you use this in your baggies? A link or pic of the exact bag would help too.

Thxs a lot

Pat

[aztropic]

I germinate seeds that are 1/4 inch or larger by the baggie method. I use long fiber sphagnum moss,soaked,wrung out,and then microwaved for 5 minutes as my moisture holding medium. I generally use 1 gallon size freezer,(not sandwich) zip bags as the plastic is thicker. NEVER place bags in direct sun! It will cook the seeds. If temps are below 80F,use a heat mat.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[PalmatierMeg]

I germinate seeds by either of two methods:

1. Like @aztropic via the baggie method using damp orchid moss. I keep baggies in a basket kept on top of the refrigerator in winter or in our garden shed in summer

2. For seeds of more robust or sun loving species (Sabals, Coccothrinax, Dypsis etc.), I pot them 1/2” down in a mix of coarse garden soil, coco coir and perlite and keep them outdoors in summer either in shade or sun depending on species. I leave potted seeds outdoors year round except for rare, delicate species I move into a greenhouse. My climate is benign enough that the vast majority of seeds can stay outdoors year round. I don’t use a heat mat.

I no longer fret about when or how long seeds take to germinate, many weeks or many months. They either germinate or they don’t.

[Silas_Sancona]

When i use baggies ( standard sandwich sized baggie -since i only grow a few seeds at a time ),   it is....


#2 Wash Grit ( **See size chart at the bottom ), and a pinch or two of Cocopeat / Turface MVP..  Some Brahea sp. seeds i'd collected last October in this baggie. May or may not be good, since they sat on the ground for at least a month or two, exposed to our heat / dry-ish air after being shed from mom sometime over the summer before i grabbed a handful.



Or just Cocopeat   Just a couple of the Sable uresana seed ( also collected in October of last year ) in here.. Were questionable/ showed a little mould, so they're isolated from the rest ( ..which are outside in tubes, waiting for sustained, 80+ heat )



...That's it....





....Some may choose to wait, but,  As soon as i see little light eyes peeping up at me when i open a bag, , they go into pots. No waiting for the first root to form, and risking breaking / damaging it.


*** Sifted grit sizes for reference..

[Las Palmas Norte]

2 hours ago, Hardypalms said:

They mention “”Sunshinemix” and “Promix” without really showing the bag.

"They"?  The 3.8 ft³ (Made in Canada) bales are widely used in the PNW. I'm not sure how far and wide those products are sold.

[Hardypalms]

Ok great i appreciate the answers. Everybody upvoted. Let me counter question if you don’t mind.

1) Why do the baggy method for some seeds, opposed to just plant the seed in your choice of potting soil? (I have always done it like that and it works pretty well for various type of palms). Is it faster?

2) If i use sphagnum moss, can it be reused?

3) Any brand of sphagnum moss for gardening (Like orchids) would work? ( Looking at cost, i don’t buy expensive seeds and often freebies, Florida collected by me).

Thanks

Pat

Edited March 13, 2023 by Hardypalms

[Las Palmas Norte]

1. There are no hard and fast rules. Baggies do allow you to check for germination. Potted germination won't visually show results until top growth emerges thru the soil level.

2. I suppose sphagnum could be reused. Vigilance should be used for mold etc.

3. Brand specific does not matter. All you are trying to achieve is a moist aeriated growing medium suitable for germination.

 

Good luck with germination. It's fun to see life emerge.

[Hardypalms]

Thank-you!

Pat