longk said:If I'm using the baggy method I use make up removal pads.

May I ask why? Do they retain moisture better? Do the roots untangle better?

pod said:

May I ask why? Do they retain moisture better? Do the roots untangle better?

They do seem to retain moisture better (although in a ziploc bag that is not a big issue) but the main reason for my switch is that they seem more sterile and thus offer greater resistance to mould . Most of the time that is not an issue but it's useful for slow germinators or those self collected seeds that have fleshy residue such as Solanum, Passiflora or Bomarea

On February 24th I started germinating seeds on paper towels on foam plates but in gal plastic bags, sealed and put in the cupboard under my kitchen sink where the heat vent comes up. I checked them today for the heck of it and one group of seeds (I believe is Zinnia were already sprouting. I planted up 7 seedlings and have them under my grow lights now. Here is what the seeds looked like. My camera doesn't take very good close up pictures. Does this sound normal for zinnia seeds to germinate that quickly?

Jeanne ~ I've not germinated Zinnias here but my Seeds book does say they germinate in 7 to 14 days. I'd guess your conditions were excellent for germination. How soon before you can set them outdoors? You may have to nurse them along for a while.

longk ~ thank you. That makes sense that they may be more sterile. Do you also use a purified water source?

As a point of interest, the seeds that made me start this thread at the end of January are the strangest I have encountered. I officially have three teeny tiny plantlets from the Papalo seeds. They look so fragile and odd hopefully I will be able to keep them going.

@pod - all that I use is boiled water the same as I would use to run through compost when I sow the conventional way (usually for small seeds or for seeds that need to sit in a cold frame over the winter).

Good to know, thank you!

gardenglassgems said: Does this sound normal for zinnia seeds to germinate that quickly?

A 7-14 day germination time is actually the time it takes for emergence through the soil surface. So the real germination, what you see on the paper towel, has to happen well before that. I would say your results are normal for the warm setting you placed them in.

I am very surprised there has not been any detrimental effects with using make-up removal pads. Obviously, they must be impregnated with some kind of solvent(s), etc. maybe it's just alcohol?

Leftwood said:
I am very surprised there has not been any detrimental effects with using make-up removal pads. Obviously, they must be impregnated with some kind of solvent(s), etc. maybe it's just alcohol?

Sorry, I should have been clear that they are the cheap dry pads.

Hmmm... I didn't know there was such a thing. It goes to show that I'm not up on the latest makeup trends.

(Off topic: I now use oil to remove any makeup and cleanse my face)

Karen

They are cotton, I think?
They are handy if you want to sprout a few seeds in a clear plastic egg carton. One pad fits each egg cell.

There are different sizes and shapes of these cotton pads.
Look for them in Dollar stores where they are cheaper.