Germination

[houseodessey]

How do you successfully germinate your tobacco? The seeds are so small. I tried last year and failed.

[woodchuck]

I sprinkle them on sterile seed starting mix. DON"T cover, they need light to germinate.


<Woodchuck>

[houseodessey]

I have trouble keeping the seeds that you shouldn't cover moist enough. Maybe I'll try a clear to go box with no holes in the top this time. Would there be a problem with all of that humidity?

[woodchuck]

I put the smallest soil blocks in Glad brand containers, flipped upside down, and use them as a tiny 'greenhouse'! No problems with lack of moisture.



<Woodchuck>

[paquebot]

Pre-sprout them first. We used to put them in a thick cotton sock, soak it good, and roll it up. Virtually every seed would germinate at once but I don't remember how many days it took. When there were a lot of little white tails showing, they were sprinkled on the surface of the soil in the steamed tobacco bed. Special white cloth was then tacked to the bed to keep everything sterile.

Martin

[houseodessey]

Thanks. I think I'll try both methods. I never thought about pre-germination.

[Alan]

I use a flat filled with seed starting mix and just sprinkle the seeds on top using a misting bottle as needed to spray the little seeds which you don't cover with soil and cover the flat with a clear top or with a piece of saran wrap but leaving some ventalation. It will take them a bit to pop up and to grow. Spread them very thinly over the top as you don't want to crowd the plants, once they get a set or two of true leaves, transplant them into three inch pots. This will work well, they do need some light to germinate well, but it isn't entirely necessary for them to have light though either.

-Alan

[grungy]

Alan, can they use a little extra bottom heat like tomatoes or peppers, or say just room temp. germination?