Combining Seed Tape, Baggies and Heated Bed Methods for Early Seed Germination

Seeds are germinated on 'roll-ups' of paper towel, inside tiny glass jars immersed in water heated with an aquarium heater with thermostat control
Seeds are germinated on 'roll-ups' of paper towel, inside tiny glass jars, immersed in water heated with an aquarium heater with thermostat control. Source: Original Image

This new approach for early seed germination is based on the following observations:

The following method was designed to address these issues in a cheap, easy and efficient way.

=> Seeds are germinated in paper towel 'roll-ups', stored in tiny glass jars

=> Many people use various types of 'baggies' with seed placed between layers of paper towel, in coffee filters or peat moss and vermiculite, sprayed with water and then kept in small plastic bags. This is useful because you can see when the seed germinates. However, having to manually pick up each sprouted seed with tweezers is very time-consuming. The new method overcomes these problems by placing the seeds in two or three rows on paper towels. The folded towel is firstly sprayed with water. Then, the seed are added in 2-3 rows. Extra seeds are placed along the exposed outer edge of the rolled-up paper towel so that you can see when the seeds have sprouted. The advantage of this method is that:
  1. The roots will grow downwards.
  2. Two or three strips with sprouted seeds can be cut out and planted as seed tapes directly into the soil or into seed trays.

=> The "roll-ups" stored in glass jars can be placed in small containers of water heated by aquarium heaters.

=> The water in the jars can be topped up easily.

=> You can easily see when the seeds have sprouted.

=> You can unroll the paper towels cut into strips and plant as seed-tapes. Orientating the strips at an angle of 45 degrees will keep the seeds on the tapes when they are planted. The strips can also be cut into segments.

=> Sprouting the seeds in containers at aquarium temperatures of 24-27 degrees C helps to germinate the seeds quickly. The table at the end of the article shows that this temperature range is ideal for most plants. Aquarium heater can be used that have thermostats which can be set to a particular temperature. Having a constant temperature avoids the day-night (maximum-minimum) temperature cycle which can slow germination. This is much cheaper than heat beds under seedling trays or trays of jiffy-pots. The temperatures inside the jars are more controlled than using heat beds.

=> The method avoids wasting time and money caused by poor germination. You only plant out seeds that have germinated rather than planting in hope that they will germinate.

The images below outline the steps for the method

Start by folding a paper towel segment in half
Start by folding a paper towel segment in half. Source: Original Image
Wet the towel using a spray and then add the seed in 2-3 rows so that you can cut out 'seed-tapes' after the seeds germinate. When stored vertically all the roots will grow downwards in the same direction
Wet the towel using a spray and then add the seed in 2-3 rows so that you can cut out 'seed-tapes' after the seeds germinate. When stored vertically all the roots will grow downwards in the same direction. Source: Original Image
The method works well for very tiny seeds as well as large ones
The method works well for very tiny seeds as well as large ones. Source: Original Image
The paper towel is rolled up with a line of seed exposed to check for germination
The paper towel is rolled up with a line of seed exposed to check for germination. Source: Original Image
The 'roll-ups' are placed in tiny glass jars with a lid with label attached
The 'roll-ups' are placed in tiny glass jars with a lid with label attached. Source: Original Image
Several glass jars are placed inside small containers of water heated with aquarium heaters fitted with thermostats
Several glass jars are placed inside small containers of water heated with aquarium heaters fitted with thermostats. Source: Original Image
Each of the jars can be checked to see when the seeds have sprouted.
Each of the jars can be checked to see when the seeds have sprouted. Source: Original Image
Once the seeds have sprouted to the required stage the paper towel can be unwrapped. Notice that all the roots face in the same direction.
Once the seeds have sprouted to the required stage the paper towel can be unwrapped. Notice that all the roots face in the same direction. Source: Original Image
The paper towels can be cut into strips or seed tapes. Plant the sprouted seeds just below the surface of the soil at 45-60 degrees so that the roots do not have to penetrate the paper. More developed seeds will be bound to the paper.
The paper towels can be cut into strips or seed tapes. Plant the sprouted seeds just below the surface of the soil at 45-60 degrees so that the roots do not have to penetrate the paper. More developed seeds will be bound to the paper. Source: Original Image

Preferred Germination Temperatures and Ranges for Common Herbs and Vegetables

Plant Minimum (°C) Minimum (°F) Preferred (°C) Preferred (°F) Days to 
Germinate
Herb
Basil 18 64 21-24 68-72 3-5
Chives  16 61 21 70 14-21
Fenugreek 16 61 21 70 3-5
Lovage  16 61 21 70 10-20
Mint  18 64 20 -24 67-72 10-15
Parsley 4 39 10-30 50-86 13-16
Summer Savory 18 64 20 68 14-21
Vegetable
Aubergine 16 61 24-32 72-93 6-8
Bean 9 45-50 16-30 61-86 6-8
Beet 4 39 10-30 50-86 4-6
Cabbage 4 39 7-35 35-95 4-6
Carrot 4 39 7-30 35-86 6-8
Cauliflower 4 39 7-30 35-86 5-7
Celeriac 15 59 18-29 64-84 14-21
Celery 4 39 15-21 60-70 7-9
Corn 10 50 16-32 61-87 10 -12
Cucumber 16 61 16-35 61-88 3-6
Lettuce 2 36 4-27 39-81 3-5
Onion 2 36 10-35 50-95 6-8
Parsnip 2 36 10-21 10-70 14-17
Pea 4 39 4-24 39-72 6-8
Pepper 16 61 18-35 64-95 8-10
Pumpkin 16 61 21-32 70-90 4-6
Radish 4 39 7-32 45-90 4-6
Rutabaga 4 39 16-30 61-86 4-6
Spinach 2 36 7-24 45-75 5-7
Squash 16 61 21-35 70-95 4-6
Swiss Chard 4 39 20-23 68-73 4-6
Tomato 10 50 16-30 61-86 6-8
Turnip/Rutabaga 15 59 18-21 64-70 3 -6