PreSoak sink or float test? True or false?

[HopefulNewb]

(CLIFFS Question at bottom if you hate reading)

Sorta bummed as I practiced germing seeds of random things with great success by putting them in a slightly luke warm cup for 30 secs, ( like 11 of 13 seeds sank) and those 11 all germed with papertowel method no problem... Had paper towel and slight heating pad, temps perfect, ect... really did well I felt....

anyway I get ready for real first time, and the pack comes , I'm so happy, everything set up, put seeds in water and uh oh... heart sinks... all 5 float....

I think whatever, maybe different seeds differ, just stick to plan that has given people 90% + germ rate, you'll be fine...

all 5 failed one looked crushed before I even used tweezers to move it so I knew one was doa... but man all 5... soooooooo let down I can't even express it. Looks like I'll be growing only basil and other crap for a while now


Anyway main question is, is the float test really reliable? will ones that float have a lot tougher or impossible time germing?

 

[_Dude]

I don't know if the float test is reliable or not. I say treat it as an experiment, but don't rely on it. Just germ them all. Better luck next time. I didn't use a paper towel or anything when I germed (once, ages ago, clones ever since), I just stuck them deep into rockwool cubes and put them under a fluorescent. Think I got about 50/50 but it was years ago.

 

[HopefulNewb]

thx dude, yeah will try again , might not go onyx again though

 

[joe fresh]

what happens here is when they sink it means that water has penetrated the shell of the seed and softend the exterior shell, making for an easier time for the seed to germ.

i have use this method in the past with good results, but i have since discovered a fail-proof way to germ seeds.

i do not pre soak. take seeds, place in wach cloth or cut piece of towel(paper tpwel and toilet paper/kleenex tends to fall apart and i find it gives poor results and does not hold much oxegen so it suffocates the tap root)

put wash cloth/cut towel in a tupperware container. fold over wash cloth/cut towel and add water untill there is a little too much water....wait a few minutes to make sure all the water that can be soaked is being soaked.....then drain all excess water, so there is no visible water in the tupperware.

cover tupperware with lid and put in a warm place......36 to 72 hrs at most for the hardest to germ seeds, and i get 99% germ rates...meaning that out of ever 100 seeds i loose about 1

 

[HopefulNewb]

what happens here is when they sink it means that water has penetrated the shell of the seed and softend the exterior shell, making for an easier time for the seed to germ.

i have use this method in the past with good results, but i have since discovered a fail-proof way to germ seeds.

i do not pre soak. take seeds, place in wach cloth or cut piece of towel(paper tpwel and toilet paper/kleenex tends to fall apart and i find it gives poor results and does not hold much oxegen so it suffocates the tap root)

put wash cloth/cut towel in a tupperware container. fold over wash cloth/cut towel and add water untill there is a little too much water....wait a few minutes to make sure all the water that can be soaked is being soaked.....then drain all excess water, so there is no visible water in the tupperware.

cover tupperware with lid and put in a warm place......36 to 72 hrs at most for the hardest to germ seeds, and i get 99% germ rates...meaning that out of ever 100 seeds i loose about 1

ty very much, yeah I was doing what you said, I just put them in the glass for like 15-30 secs before putting them in tupper that's on heating bad on very low... Also just called friend who said that top of 90% of refrigerators keep them at good temp as well... lol have to see if mine gets hot.

ty for response.

 

[Panama Red]

Floating or sinking is relative, dependent on the oxygenation of the water and the density of the seeds.

The only way to truly tell if a seed is going to sprout is to spin it.

Give it a twirl between your thumb and middle finger, like snapping your fingers.

If it spins freely it's going to sprout and be vigorous.

If it doesn't spin, you can pack it in dung, cat shit is best, dog shit works, cow manure or human feces can be used in a pinch.

Most times of the year you can just keep it in a dark place until the casing cracks and you have roots.

If you try this between the Autumn Solstice and the Vernal Equinox, you'll have to stick the turd-encased seed to the ceiling until it attracts flies, pull it down, roll it around in your mouth until it softens up and then immediately stick it in the freezer.

Wait another 6-7 weeks and have a priest make the sign of the cross over the turd ball.

On the 3rd day your seed will rise from the dead and you can start a religion or a seed company based on it's vigor and potency.......

 

[MrStonerMan]

Great info guys! I was interested in this as well