Author Topic: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag  (Read 12240 times)

FloridaGreenMan

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Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« on: September 30, 2012, 01:00:47 PM »
I know this has been brought up before but just wanted to mention again of the high success you can get when germinating tropical seeds in a Ziplock bag. I usually wash my seeds then place them in a bag with some moist Sphagnum moss.  It's super easy and the germination rate is great even with difficult seeds like Ilama (A.diversifolia).   
   

 Ilama (A.diversifolia).   


 Ilama (A.diversifolia).   


FloridaGreenMan

murahilin

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2012, 01:11:23 PM »
Did you pre treat your ilama seeds? Are they fresh seeds or last years seeds?

bsbullie

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2012, 01:48:11 PM »
I have also done this with abiu seeds, specifically Noel's Marissa, with moist paper towel and all have successfully germinated.
- Rob

FloridaGreenMan

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2012, 01:55:59 PM »
Did you pre treat your ilama seeds? Are they fresh seeds or last years seeds?

Those Ilama seeds are from Aug 2009! All I did was to lightly sand them with sandpaper and then bag them. Ilama seeds last for several year but 3 years surprised even me. They sprouted in 2 weeks.     



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ofdsurfer

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2012, 02:06:39 PM »
Do you keep the bag indoors? Thanks

FloridaGreenMan

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2012, 02:31:52 PM »
I keep them in my garage on a workbench and they get almost no sunlight.   
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ofdsurfer

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2012, 02:49:13 PM »
Great thanks

littlegrower

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2012, 07:01:28 PM »
I have tropical seeds (borojo, syzygium, chupachupa,santol, etc) that I will be recieving soon. What method (paper towel, soilless mix, or sphagnum) do you suggest to germinate these seeds? Do any of you ever put them on a heating mat (while they're in the baggie), also, I do have a thermostat controller for the mat. If you have any helpful germinating tips you'd like to share that would be great! I love experimenting, and learning new things!! :) - Nikki
Nikki

FloridaGreenMan

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2012, 07:44:59 PM »
I would just do the sphagnum moss in a bag as I mentioned. In the past I used wet towels and it increases the chance of rotting. I had read somewhere that  Sphagnum moss inhibits fungus attack. Try a few different ways and report back your success.     
FloridaGreenMan

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2012, 08:19:11 PM »
Going to have to give this a try with a. diversifolia.  I have never been able to germinate any and I refuse to treat chemically. Thanks for the post, Noel.
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fruitlovers

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2012, 09:09:57 PM »
I would just do the sphagnum moss in a bag as I mentioned. In the past I used wet towels and it increases the chance of rotting. I had read somewhere that  Sphagnum moss inhibits fungus attack. Try a few different ways and report back your success.     
Most paper induces mold. So stay away from it if you can. I only use paper in emergency situations. Otherwise always use either sphagnum moss or peat moss. Both of these are very low pH and molds have a hard time growing on them. Sphagnum moss has lower pH than peat moss, so is the best. Another option that works well is vermiculite, but it's not acid like the moss. But it's better than using paper. I use vermiculite when sending seeds because many countries will not allow any moss into their country. They don't consider it sterile, whereas vermiculite is considered sterile.
Oscar

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2012, 09:13:48 PM »
Going to have to give this a try with a. diversifolia.  I have never been able to germinate any and I refuse to treat chemically. Thanks for the post, Noel.

The reason they sprouted easily without gibberelic acid treatment for Noel is not because he used this method, but because they were stored a long time. Ilama seeds need a long dormant time in order to germinate. They will not germinate straight out of the fruit. You can accelerate time needed for dormancy by putting them in the fridge for one month. What you are trying to do is imitate over wintering that they need in order to germinate.
Oscar

lkailburn

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #12 on: September 30, 2012, 09:26:14 PM »
So that's what I'm doing wrong! I use moist paper towel and get lots of issues with mold. Will switch to sphagnum.

Thanks!

-Luke

fruitlovers

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #13 on: September 30, 2012, 09:37:41 PM »
So that's what I'm doing wrong! I use moist paper towel and get lots of issues with mold. Will switch to sphagnum.

Thanks!

-Luke

As Adam would say: Sphagnum is the boss!  ;)
I don't know why paper towels attract mold. They're supposed to be bleached paper? But they do attract it anyway!
Oscar

ScottR

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #14 on: September 30, 2012, 11:13:30 PM »
Thanks for important tips, your guys are the pros. ;)

Soren

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #15 on: October 01, 2012, 01:48:57 AM »
Coffee filters don't attractive mold and likewise prevents the roots to dig in and get stuck - I use these for smaller seeds that otherwise get "lost" with other methods. But they do tend to dry out unevenly especially when placed on a heat mat and for this reason I also prefer sphagnum moss or peat moss for bigger seeds.
Søren
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Jackfruitwhisperer69

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #16 on: October 01, 2012, 01:30:15 PM »
Hi FloridaGreenMan,

That's spectacular to see Illama germinate after been stored for 3 years :o...Cherimoya is another one that can be kept for a long time.

Thanks a bunch for sharing your method for germinating Illama seeds...I will do the same when i get some seeds :) I also use this method when Ethan, mentioned it and i have been doing it ever seens...I also use a old lunch tin with moist paper towels or peat potting soil, with excellent results.

Sphagnum moss is definitely BOSS...cause they have anti-fungal properties 8) Never seen it for sale here :'( So, i need to improvise with what i can get :)

Thanks for sharing and congrat's on germinating Illama :)

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VyVy

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #17 on: October 01, 2012, 02:32:02 PM »
FloridaGreenman

thanks for sharing

Do you wet the sphagnum moss?


FloridaGreenMan

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #18 on: October 01, 2012, 07:13:21 PM »
FloridaGreenman

thanks for sharing

Do you wet the sphagnum moss?

Yes it's best to moisten the moss. Not soaking wet, but moist!
FloridaGreenMan

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #19 on: October 01, 2012, 07:15:49 PM »
Soak the sphagnum moss in water till thoroughly wet, then squeeze all the water out of it before putting it in the zip lock bag. BTW same SOP for wetting sphagnum moss to use in air layers.
« Last Edit: October 01, 2012, 07:17:44 PM by fruitlovers »
Oscar

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #20 on: October 01, 2012, 07:50:35 PM »
I have moistened my paper towels with Chamomile tea, used in a small spray bottle to moisten towels, helps me with the mold problem.  Works great with acorns and other nuts that need to be "winterized" in the refrigerator.

VyVy

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #21 on: October 01, 2012, 10:53:16 PM »
thank you FloridaGreenMan and fruitlovers for answering my question

I will try my luck soon, and will report the result, wish me luck :)

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #22 on: October 07, 2012, 03:17:40 PM »
Cocopeat is just as effective. The plastic bag method is excellent. The key is moisture content. You want to wring out the peat to where you can just begin to call it moist.

The only problem with this method is remembering to be on top of checking the bag regularily.
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fruitlovers

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #23 on: October 08, 2012, 03:15:39 AM »
Cocopeat is just as effective. The plastic bag method is excellent. The key is moisture content. You want to wring out the peat to where you can just begin to call it moist.

The only problem with this method is remembering to be on top of checking the bag regularily.

For really slow germinating seeds, or for large fleshy seeds it's also good to poke a few small holes in the bag so the seeds can breathe. Or you can just unzip them once a day to let the air in for a while. Lack of oxygen can cause anerobic bacterias to set up house.
Oscar

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Re: Germinating seeds in a Ziplock bag
« Reply #24 on: October 21, 2012, 08:55:10 PM »
FGM, when do you usually remove the sprouted seeds and plant them in a pot, when they are completely out of the shell, when they have just started to push the tap root, etc.?
Thera