My new seed starter

[oppalm]

Just fired up my all new multi-purpose Aquarium/Seed Starting Aparatus II. This is the second generation seed starter I am using. The one from last year is still around but this one is new and improved. I took an old 20 gallon high aqaurium, disposed of the fish (tasty) to set it up as an incubator. Started with a strand of 200 mini-christmas lights on the bottom and then built up a shelf, using the plastic egg crate stuff for a fluorescent lights to set the disposable plastic containers on. Put my lid on top and covered it with a towel to keep the heat in and the damn thing heated up to almost 100F in 2 hours. Too hot. So I went with a strand of 100 Commercial Grade Mini Lights and its a constant balmy 89F inside. The thermometer says 87.6F but it was just heating up. Nice.

And before you ask: NO, I have nothing better to do with my time than create seed starting aparati (plural).

Heres a picture of it; BTW - thats a picture of Lenny Dawson , old time Kansas City Chiefs quarterback to the left.

[Knnn]

That is a nice rig
Are you running it off a timer or leaving it on continuously ?
What germination media is working good for you ?

[oppalm]

Right now I run it on a timer for 20 hours on and 4 hours off. Just to vary the temps a bit which I have read is a good thing. I am open to suggestions from anyone. of course, as colder weather hits I may have to go 24 hours on, as the seed stater is in my basement and the temps will probably be about 5-10 degrees cooler down there than it is now.

For my germinating mix, I use equal parts potting soil (Expert Mix from Walmart) and equal part perlite for the small germinating containers. I typically will moisten the mix lightly, then put the seeds on top of the soil mix and then cover with a light layer of perlite and use a spray bottle to moisten the top of the mix. I then put a lid on the container and then it goes into my new geminating aquarium. I have drilled a couple of dime size holes in the tops of the containers to allow for a little air to move around. With the closed aquarium I am a little worried about too much moisture and the warm temps. We'll see as we move forward.

[Knnn]

Thanks for the Info !

[Dean W.]

oppalm,

Nice contraption you got there. Have you had any sprouts yet?

Dean

[oppalm]

Dean - thanks for asking - Yes I have. the following have germinated in the last week - hyophorbe indica, copernica alba, areca vestiaria and archontophoenix purpea. I have had much luck with seeds in the past month. Also have had several papaya seeds pop in the last couple of days. Life is good.

[Dean W.]

I'm thinking of building one myself. I have an old aquarium that is collecting dust. What did you use for the bottom? Is it just wire mesh? Is that just a towel on top of it?

Congratulations on getting the germinators!

Dean

[oppalm]

Yes there is wire mesh or hardware cloth sitting on top of very very small clay pots (like maybe 2" tall). I also put down a plastic egg crate mesh which is used to cover fluorescent light fixtures in buildings. The plastic is very rigid and tough. the wire mesh by itself was sagging under the weight of the plastic containers so I had to beef it up a little. There is a towel over the top to keep the heat in the aquarium. It works great. I ran out of room in the aquarium so now I am using the plastic bag method to start seeds so that I can get more seeds started.

[Dean W.]

Thanks for the information, very helpful. I'm still looking around the house deciding what I can use for it.

[lucky1]

nice contraption, and look at the volume it holds!
Doubt there's a seed starter for home use that could compete with it.

Congrats on your germinating success. That is really exciting.

Once everything sprouts...into your GH ? have we seen a pic of it?
Barb

[oppalm]

No greenhouse. I have a basement bedroom green room thats lit up like the 4th of July. Everything spends 5-6 months in the friendly confines of the greenroom and then goes outside in spring to spend the summer in the unfriendly confines of my yard. i.e heat, wind, hail, rain, cats, dogs, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, ground squirrels, etc. I've posted a few pics on this site.

[Dean W.]

oppalm,

I finally made one, it dose'nt look as nice as yours though. I could'nt find the real small terracotta pots and I had to use hog wire for the base.

I can't figure out how to post a picture though.

Dean[/img]

[Dean W.]

Here it is

[lucky1]

Hey Dean! Nice unit, well done. What's the temp in there?

Did you get rid of the white stuff on your seeds with fungicide?

Barb

[Dean W.]

Hey Barb,

It hoover around 80-85*F. I'm not sure if thats to hot.

I just used a toothbrush to polish the seeds a little. The only fungicide I had was Copper Soap Fungicide and I did'nt wan't to risk hurting the seeds.

Dean

[lucky1]

I read on rarepalmseeds.com "germination techniques" various comments from people.
90 to 100 F water soaks, 100 F germinating media temps, etc.
One person even poured boiling water over the seeds, rinsed and then dropped the temp.

There are some interesting seed starting techniques listed on that site, regardless of what type of palm.

When one thinks of the countries these palms are from...temps anywhere from 80 to 110 F during seed setting are likely common. We might not have our media hot enough. Mine are back into really warm water.
Barb

[Dean W.]

Hey Barb,

I know, I like reading the different germination techniques people use on Rare Palm seeds.

I think my contraption hoovers a liitle higher during the daylight hours, due to the green house effect.

Dean

[lucky1]

Those germinating techniques often include two or three seeds that popped within a month or two,
then make reference to the balance of seeds popping after six months to a year

I'm convinced patience is more important than temp.
Barb

[oppalm]

I missed the follow up on this one. looks great, it should work great for you. I usually wait for a couple of the seeds to germinate before I put them under fluorescent lights to grow a little more before I replant to individual containers.

Good luck.