Evennly dispersed pressure on the mat will eliminate the hot spots.. gaps cause the hot spots.. full contact will disperse the heat more evenly.. he's essentially just putting an insulator on the mat
Received the “last” of my seeds yesterday. Every time I think I’m done ordering I think of more things I want to grow! A bigger outside garden is coming soon once all this snow melts in North Idaho.
@@thebuffalo16 Usually it takes two full business weeks and arrived the third business week. I would contact them to check the status if it has been 3 business weeks. It takes awhile to get them but they are good seeds.
The seeds you sell are amazing. I’ve had excellent germination. The funny thing is I started my pepper and tomato seedlings in my sewing room. I didn’t even need a grow light. The light from my window was enough for them to germinate. Now they are in my greenhouse waiting to be planted. My carrots, lettuce and spinach are so prolific I can’t eat it fast enough. So I share them with others. Thanks again.
I have been watching your videos for several years, Luke, and always learn something new. I find that with using a heat mat with some water in the drain tray provides fairly even heat to the seed starting tray and provides ample humidity in the dome. I also remove the dome once or twice a day for good ventilation.
Thanks for all these recent vids Luke! This is the first year I'm starting from seed in any serious manner, so these vids have been timely and very helpful.
Thank you- LOVE THIS VIDEO. Did you know that you can put 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide 3 % into 1 cup of water or 3 parts water & 1 part H202 & add that to your seeds when soaking prior to planting. Put it in the area you are soaking your seeds the last hour or so - it gives your seeds a boost of oxygen prior to planting & helps boost then 3x faster. 😊
I immediately mist my seed trays once I plant them up with the same water and hydrogen peroxide solution - luke warm- until they start to sprout. I was told it aerates the soil. Many times they sprout overnight and usually no more than 48 hours except for things like lisianthus. I have never soaked seeds even when recommended. I keep the room temp at about 71. Dome stays on till seedlings sprout. I either sit trays by a bright window or put directly under grow lights. They all go under grow lights one they start to sprout. I water from underneath. I used to always plant two seeds per cell to guarantee a seedling. I am going to only do that in a third of the cells from now on. I have about 97% germ rate and I wind up wasting seed when I thin them out. I will carefully transplant an extra seedling to an empty cell shortly after they sprout but then I thin out the rest eventually.
Always learn by watching you. Great tips for all. I am looking forward to getting in the garden and all the bounty. Hope is eternal if you are a gardener.
Additional tip for squash seeds, especially Asian squash seeds like luffa and bitter gourd that have hard shells. If you carefully cut the very edge of the shells to allow water inside, the seeds will germinate in a matter of days rather than weeks.
Waiting for my MIGARDENER seed shipment is like Christmas to me! Lol And it's so exciting to watch Luke's videos, SAVE them, get your seeds or garden started & then (watch saved videos again), implement his techniques, advice or experience to see what i can do!! Yes! EVERYONE should be growing something edible! Keep Connected To Your Food & Its Source! We Live Local & though we're in Indiana, Michigan has quickly become our gardening source!!! Thanks so much for the valuable experience your share & the quality products you sell!!!
i tried the paper towel method to sprout my tomato and pepper seeds this year. worked great! 🌱🌶️🍅 i was cheap and didn't have a heat mat, so i just sandwiched the bags between some towels on top of a heat vent, or the exhaust of the fridge, or the oven with the incandescent light on, keeping a thermometer nearby to check the surface temp of plastic bag.
Extremely jealous of your greenhouse Luke! Thanks for all the tips. I live in the Detroit area and basically just do what your videos say, and my neighbors are all envious of my garden. :)
Another great and timely video as always. I actually only just started some seeds a week ago but I'm using the same methods you've outlined here. On a related note, it would be great for you to do a tutorial on germinating (or trying to germinate) older seeds. I've a few packets of seeds that I still want to salvage but I need some guidance on how I can do that best.
Many seeds can last long if properly stored. I usually plant many seeds in a restaurant takeout container using many of the methods Luke showed. The clear top keeps the soil moist until they sprout, then I remove it. When main leaves grow beyond the initial sprout leaves I use a plastic fork (also from carryout) to move them to 3 inch pots to grow. I usually get way more plants than I expected this way which I try to give away.
Vivosun Heat Map works well. I was a little concerned with too much heat. Tried placing towels and monitored the temp with an electronic meter. The results are a little surprising with constant soil temp at 75 degrees F. Temp is taken from center of the tray. This is very stable over the past 2 days. Will try with the cardboard to see the difference
Thanks Steve I mean Luke. Great advice that you give. I think your Greenhouse is Awesome. I will soon start building my second one from cattle panels. It's nothing like yours but helps a lot for what I do. Thanks for posting and I plan to buy more seed from ya.
Yeah, I learned that the hard way a few years ago. I kept it on and put them under a grow light thinking it would mean less watering. When I looked closer, there was mold growing on some, others the leaves reached the dome and rotted away. Now I leave the dome on until I have about 50% germination, then take it off and monitor soil moisture daily. Much better results this way.
I soak my brassica seeds anyway. It's not too bad separating them. Many times they sprout in the water. I've forgotten about them for days and planted the sprouts anyway with no problems.
I've never gotten Senna or Rose seeds to germinate. And yes, I've cold stratified, soaked, scarred, you name it and nadas. This is my first year to get Dill seeds to germinate. I always put a kitchen towel on the heat mats. I read that soaking bean seeds would make them rot.
I made a germination chamber with a battery blanket under a cookie sheet of water. Under a 3 level plastic shelving unit with holes. Covered with a shower curtain over the works.
I just started this technique this year - and only with flowers so far, with over 90% germination - but on a wet paper towel in a zip-lock bag, place the seeds and pre sprout them. Just, imo, be careful when transplanting them. I will be staring pepper seeds the same way in roughly a week.
I uave also used humidity domes if I had to start my seeds outside on my deck and they are more warmer weather crops overall like tomatoes or eggplant and the Temps were going to drop below 40 in my early spring and sometimes spring here just overnight to protect them from the Temps, the downfall is making sure u take the domes off during the day (I live in western WA so our springs can be well unpredictable at times when it comes to overnight Temps, but our summers and late spring warm Temps overall both am and pm van literally warm up 5 to 10 degrees literally overnight and stay that way for a week and then all of a sudden, especially in mid spring u can get some colder nights that are below 40)....but see I also have cats that like to eat greens a lot so I don't have the option generally to bring my seedlings in overnight
Hi Jenn I'm in Pierce Co, I have an unheated greenhouse, I use mats because it's been so cold lately. Remember last when it went straight from winter to summer! Cheers
I water in my new seeded cells with 2 parts water/1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide. The extra oxygen molecule speeds germination and the solution helps to sterilize the seed starting mix so I don't have issues with fungus gnats etc. It's very effective.
You didn't talk about " petri dish" sprouting. I put my seeds on a wet paper towel and cover with plastic wrap. In 3 to 4 days most seeds will sprout. Got to get them planted next day though because if they grow into the paper towel, that's a problem. It is how you germinate cleanly for hydroponics. I do some hydroponic growing....no not pot. Lettuce, tomatoes and all kinds of vegetables. I use verity of planting methods. We have a short growing season in Alaska.
Using Vivasun for a loong time I would suggest to not trust the mats heat range without a controller.. I've documented a Vivasun mat getting heated to 90+° and killed the germination process
I use a drain tray and cell packs with dome on the heat mat and it has its own ridges on the bottom and feel no need for cardboard between the two, you were using a propagation tray without tray or dome. I would always use a drain tray. If it’s cold where you are germinating a piece of insulating foam board under the heat mat is beneficial. And Yes, get the mat you can set the temperature. There are charts online that state what temp to use for what seeds, and it sometimes is listed right on the mat. We all get too eager for spring and every year I start seeds too early. This year I’m adding 2 weeks to my last frost date and counting back the weeks from that point. I plan on pre germinating the pepper seeds in a bag with damp paper towel inside a flat with dome on heat mat. I’m betting they will germinate in a day or two as the hibiscus only took 2 days. This will allow the peppers a jump start as they grow much slower than tomatoes especially hot peppers. To help combat my too early of seed starting habit I winter sow containers now-it helps😊 Happy Spring Soon as I dig out from 9” of snow last night-Sigh. Edit: Do take the trays off the heat mats and take off domes once the seeds sprout. If you grow where it is cool I would turn down the heat mat and uncover tray.
Not if you follow his guidance. Remove from heat mat ASAP after germination. Get them under good lights at least 12hrs/day, and remove the humidity dome. And if possible out a small fan lightly blowing in line with the seedlings so they grow a strong stem. I’ve followed MIGardener’s videos exactly for germination/seedlings and all of my seedlings are nice a stout this year so far.
I've seen people wet a paper towel and then put their seeds in the paper towel and sprinkle cinnamon on them. Does that work and is this method for all seeds?
Can you soak seedless watermelon and scarify them at the same time before you plant them? The seeds are expensive, and I would like to get as many of them germinated as possible.
@@papabapyro I used a small clam shell deli container from the supermarket that had been used for fruit pieces or something. I lined the bottom of it with two layers of paper towel and one layer of unbleached coffee filter, just so I can see the tiny white roots when they emerge. I used a spray bottle to wet down the paper, then sprinkled the seeds on the paper, closed the lid, then put the container in the cabinet above my freezer, where it's always warm. When they sprouted, I planted some of them into cells packs filled with moist seed starting mix. It can be tricky to pick up the tiny sprouted seeds, but touching a wet toothpick to then usually works. I make a shallow depression in each cell, lay the seed in it, and cover it thinly. MIgardener has a video on presprouting here: ruclips.net/video/PiQHGJUjVAs/видео.html
Your suggestion to turning off heat mat is too broad. Please remember that it also depends on whether you have multi trays or one tray inside the flat. If you have multiples like six packs, then you can take each six pack from heat source as the 1-2 cells germinate; thus leaving other six packs to continue on heat mat.
Luke is the reason I started gardening. Very thankful for the tips
Really? You don't like to eat? ; )
Appreciate the cardboard/bubble wrap idea on heat mats as I have noticed on some seed trays that areas of soil dry out faster from obvious hot spots❣️
Evennly dispersed pressure on the mat will eliminate the hot spots.. gaps cause the hot spots.. full contact will disperse the heat more evenly.. he's essentially just putting an insulator on the mat
I love the addition of the graphics echoing what you're saying, really helps my brain remember!
Yes. Big help for visual learners.
Received the “last” of my seeds yesterday. Every time I think I’m done ordering I think of more things I want to grow! A bigger outside garden is coming soon once all this snow melts in North Idaho.
Good for you! My parents gardened in Cheyenne Wyoming ( elevation 6000 ft ) for many years and they had a beautiful garden!
How long ago did you order the seeds? I ordered mine over 3 weeks ago
Same. I see something come in and then I end up with a dozen more seeds in my cart!😂
@@thebuffalo16 Usually it takes two full business weeks and arrived the third business week. I would contact them to check the status if it has been 3 business weeks. It takes awhile to get them but they are good seeds.
@@heatherpfeil2939 thanks for the info. I’ll call.
The seeds you sell are amazing. I’ve had excellent germination. The funny thing is I started my pepper and tomato seedlings in my sewing room. I didn’t even need a grow light. The light from my window was enough for them to germinate. Now they are in my greenhouse waiting to be planted. My carrots, lettuce and spinach are so prolific I can’t eat it fast enough. So I share them with others. Thanks again.
I like you enthusiasm. Great video man
Always learn something new every time! Thank you for all you do.
I have been watching your videos for several years, Luke, and always learn something new. I find that with using a heat mat with some water in the drain tray provides fairly even heat to the seed starting tray and provides ample humidity in the dome. I also remove the dome once or twice a day for good ventilation.
Thanks for all these recent vids Luke! This is the first year I'm starting from seed in any serious manner, so these vids have been timely and very helpful.
Thanks Luke!! You’re the best!!
Thank you- LOVE THIS VIDEO. Did you know that you can put 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide 3 % into 1 cup of water or 3 parts water & 1 part H202 & add that to your seeds when soaking prior to planting. Put it in the area you are soaking your seeds the last hour or so - it gives your seeds a boost of oxygen prior to planting & helps boost then 3x faster. 😊
For older seeds I'll soak them in a 1% H2O2 solution (2 parts water : 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide from the pharmacy). Super fast sprouts.
I tried this just a few days ago and I have to agree that it works wonders!
Interesting. Why does this help germination?
I immediately mist my seed trays once I plant them up with the same water and hydrogen peroxide solution - luke warm- until they start to sprout. I was told it aerates the soil. Many times they sprout overnight and usually no more than 48 hours except for things like lisianthus. I have never soaked seeds even when recommended. I keep the room temp at about 71. Dome stays on till seedlings sprout. I either sit trays by a bright window or put directly under grow lights. They all go under grow lights one they start to sprout. I water from underneath. I used to always plant two seeds per cell to guarantee a seedling. I am going to only do that in a third of the cells from now on. I have about 97% germ rate and I wind up wasting seed when I thin them out. I will carefully transplant an extra seedling to an empty cell shortly after they sprout but then I thin out the rest eventually.
Isn't peroxide poison?
@@radio0bomb the solution is very diluted.
I love all the practical tips! Thanks Luke! You’re a great teacher!
Always learn by watching you. Great tips for all. I am looking forward to getting in the garden and all the bounty. Hope is eternal if you are a gardener.
Additional tip for squash seeds, especially Asian squash seeds like luffa and bitter gourd that have hard shells. If you carefully cut the very edge of the shells to allow water inside, the seeds will germinate in a matter of days rather than weeks.
Great video as always 😊 Thank you for sharing this info 😊 have a great day and happy gardening 🌿🌱😊🤗
Waiting for my MIGARDENER seed shipment is like Christmas to me! Lol
And it's so exciting to watch Luke's videos, SAVE them, get your seeds or garden started & then (watch saved videos again), implement his techniques, advice or experience to see what i can do!!
Yes! EVERYONE should be growing something edible!
Keep Connected To Your Food & Its Source!
We Live Local & though we're in Indiana, Michigan has quickly become our gardening source!!!
Thanks so much for the valuable experience your share & the quality products you sell!!!
Good tips! I can see where I've gone wrong now. I will follow these tips this year.
i tried the paper towel method to sprout my tomato and pepper seeds this year. worked great! 🌱🌶️🍅 i was cheap and didn't have a heat mat, so i just sandwiched the bags between some towels on top of a heat vent, or the exhaust of the fridge, or the oven with the incandescent light on, keeping a thermometer nearby to check the surface temp of plastic bag.
Happy days are here I started a bunch of seeds yesterday with more to come!
Thanks for the new information! I didn’t know that bread doubled in size. All I knew is that when I eat bread, I double in size.
Extremely jealous of your greenhouse Luke!
Thanks for all the tips. I live in the Detroit area and basically just do what your videos say, and my neighbors are all envious of my garden. :)
Thank you for everything you do for us!
Thanks, Luke. Great info on germination.
Also, LOVE your t-shirt.
Great tips Luke ! I’ve been using the heat mat wrong , because it gets hot spots ! Thanks for your ideas !
Another great and timely video as always. I actually only just started some seeds a week ago but I'm using the same methods you've outlined here.
On a related note, it would be great for you to do a tutorial on germinating (or trying to germinate) older seeds. I've a few packets of seeds that I still want to salvage but I need some guidance on how I can do that best.
Many seeds can last long if properly stored. I usually plant many seeds in a restaurant takeout container using many of the methods Luke showed. The clear top keeps the soil moist until they sprout, then I remove it. When main leaves grow beyond the initial sprout leaves I use a plastic fork (also from carryout) to move them to 3 inch pots to grow. I usually get way more plants than I expected this way which I try to give away.
I love this channel. I love this dude.
Love the great tips and your amazing energy and positivity!!
Thank you 😊 for great information 👍 your the best
Thank you for the video - 2nd year starting seeds and this was super helpful
Great video! So do you leave the heat mat on 24/7 until you see sproting?
Yep! :)
Vivosun Heat Map works well. I was a little concerned with too much heat. Tried placing towels and monitored the temp with an electronic meter. The results are a little surprising with constant soil temp at 75 degrees F. Temp is taken from center of the tray. This is very stable over the past 2 days. Will try with the cardboard to see the difference
A follow on after adding a piece of cardboard between the heating matt and the seed tray caused a 15 degree temp reduction (60 degree F).
Thanks Luke
A really helpful video! Going to use all these tips. Are there any plants not too use a humidity done with?
Thank you , will try that cardboard idea❤
Another great video, thanks. About how long is the backlog for shipping orders?
About 5-6 business days. But we’re getting caught up every day!
Great video when do you suggest staring tomato plants my last frost date is April 30
Thanks Steve I mean Luke. Great advice that you give. I think your Greenhouse is Awesome. I will soon start building my second one from cattle panels. It's nothing like yours but helps a lot for what I do. Thanks for posting and I plan to buy more seed from ya.
Thanks! I had no idea that a humidity dome isn't needed after they sprout!
Yeah, I learned that the hard way a few years ago.
I kept it on and put them under a grow light thinking it would mean less watering.
When I looked closer, there was mold growing on some, others the leaves reached the dome and rotted away.
Now I leave the dome on until I have about 50% germination, then take it off and monitor soil moisture daily. Much better results this way.
Can you please do close captions for the deaf thank you
Just press the cc in the video 😊
I soak my brassica seeds anyway. It's not too bad separating them. Many times they sprout in the water. I've forgotten about them for days and planted the sprouts anyway with no problems.
Luke, you said in one video when the green bean plants emerge you hit them with nitrogen, how much and how strong of nitrogen do you use?
I've never gotten Senna or Rose seeds to germinate. And yes, I've cold stratified, soaked, scarred, you name it and nadas. This is my first year to get Dill seeds to germinate. I always put a kitchen towel on the heat mats. I read that soaking bean seeds would make them rot.
I made a germination chamber with a battery blanket under a cookie sheet of water. Under a 3 level plastic shelving unit with holes. Covered with a shower curtain over the works.
Thank you! I need to get home and remove my heat mats and humidity domes! Yikes!
Hurry! 😂
@@MIgardener 🤣 Done!!!
Thank you - this is super helpful!
I use a piece of pink foam core insulation under my heat mats along with a thermostat. Keeps my seedlings toasty in my unheated garage.
I just started this technique this year - and only with flowers so far, with over 90% germination - but on a wet paper towel in a zip-lock bag, place the seeds and pre sprout them. Just, imo, be careful when transplanting them. I will be staring pepper seeds the same way in roughly a week.
Works well for peppers especially if put in a warm place. Works really good for those temperamental super hots
I uave also used humidity domes if I had to start my seeds outside on my deck and they are more warmer weather crops overall like tomatoes or eggplant and the Temps were going to drop below 40 in my early spring and sometimes spring here just overnight to protect them from the Temps, the downfall is making sure u take the domes off during the day (I live in western WA so our springs can be well unpredictable at times when it comes to overnight Temps, but our summers and late spring warm Temps overall both am and pm van literally warm up 5 to 10 degrees literally overnight and stay that way for a week and then all of a sudden, especially in mid spring u can get some colder nights that are below 40)....but see I also have cats that like to eat greens a lot so I don't have the option generally to bring my seedlings in overnight
Hi Jenn I'm in Pierce Co, I have an unheated greenhouse, I use mats because it's been so cold lately. Remember last when it went straight from winter to summer! Cheers
Great tips Luke! Grow big or go home. Wait I'm already home. LOL
Question: do you put these trays under lights while on heat mats and/or humidity domes? OR, do they go under light after germination has begun?
When do you up pot and how do you tell what the next size pot? Also do you recommend any particular brand of pot
Very useful information. Thanks.
I water in my new seeded cells with 2 parts water/1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide. The extra oxygen molecule speeds germination and the solution helps to sterilize the seed starting mix so I don't have issues with fungus gnats etc. It's very effective.
On the heat mat what if your growing area is very cold say under 60F, can you use it after germination just to keep the soil at a good growing temp?
Great info...starting seeds next week. New sub.
For my tomato and pepper seeds, should I be combining a heat mat AND a humidity dome or is this not recommended? Thanks.
You're awesome!
You didn't talk about " petri dish" sprouting. I put my seeds on a wet paper towel and cover with plastic wrap. In 3 to 4 days most seeds will sprout. Got to get them planted next day though because if they grow into the paper towel, that's a problem. It is how you germinate cleanly for hydroponics. I do some hydroponic growing....no not pot. Lettuce, tomatoes and all kinds of vegetables. I use verity of planting methods. We have a short growing season in Alaska.
Good idea with the cardboard 🌱👍🏼
Using Vivasun for a loong time I would suggest to not trust the mats heat range without a controller.. I've documented a Vivasun mat getting heated to 90+° and killed the germination process
I use a drain tray and cell packs with dome on the heat mat and it has its own ridges on the bottom and feel no need for cardboard between the two, you were using a propagation tray without tray or dome. I would always use a drain tray. If it’s cold where you are germinating a piece of insulating foam board under the heat mat is beneficial. And Yes, get the mat you can set the temperature. There are charts online that state what temp to use for what seeds, and it sometimes is listed right on the mat.
We all get too eager for spring and every year I start seeds too early. This year I’m adding 2 weeks to my last frost date and counting back the weeks from that point. I plan on pre germinating the pepper seeds in a bag with damp paper towel inside a flat with dome on heat mat. I’m betting they will germinate in a day or two as the hibiscus only took 2 days. This will allow the peppers a jump start as they grow much slower than tomatoes especially hot peppers.
To help combat my too early of seed starting habit I winter sow containers now-it helps😊
Happy Spring Soon as I dig out from 9” of snow last night-Sigh.
Edit: Do take the trays off the heat mats and take off domes once the seeds sprout. If you grow where it is cool I would turn down the heat mat and uncover tray.
Would you recommend to soak squash/melon seeds?
❓❓Question: Will forcing plants to germinate faster create leggy plants? Thanks!
Not if you follow his guidance.
Remove from heat mat ASAP after germination. Get them under good lights at least 12hrs/day, and remove the humidity dome.
And if possible out a small fan lightly blowing in line with the seedlings so they grow a strong stem.
I’ve followed MIGardener’s videos exactly for germination/seedlings and all of my seedlings are nice a stout this year so far.
So what happens if I soak my seeds overnight and the next day it’s raining and I can’t get them in the ground?
Off topic: where did you find the gothic greenhouse used in your background?
I've seen people wet a paper towel and then put their seeds in the paper towel and sprinkle cinnamon on them. Does that work and is this method for all seeds?
What about soaking tomato, and pepper seeds?
Well that looks like a scam.
Can you soak seedless watermelon and scarify them at the same time before you plant them? The seeds are expensive, and I would like to get as many of them germinated as possible.
I germinate pepper seeds by sitting the germination tray on top of a shop light, it gives off enough heat.
Lay foil under the mat and cardboard on top of the mat!
I planted some presprouted lettuce seeds today that only took 2 days to germinate.
how did you do that?
@@papabapyro I used a small clam shell deli container from the supermarket that had been used for fruit pieces or something. I lined the bottom of it with two layers of paper towel and one layer of unbleached coffee filter, just so I can see the tiny white roots when they emerge. I used a spray bottle to wet down the paper, then sprinkled the seeds on the paper, closed the lid, then put the container in the cabinet above my freezer, where it's always warm. When they sprouted, I planted some of them into cells packs filled with moist seed starting mix. It can be tricky to pick up the tiny sprouted seeds, but touching a wet toothpick to then usually works. I make a shallow depression in each cell, lay the seed in it, and cover it thinly.
MIgardener has a video on presprouting here:
ruclips.net/video/PiQHGJUjVAs/видео.html
Would you soak peas? How long??
You could soak peas! About 4-6 hours.
Your suggestion to turning off heat mat is too broad. Please remember that it also depends on whether you have multi trays or one tray inside the flat. If you have multiples like six packs, then you can take each six pack from heat source as the 1-2 cells germinate; thus leaving other six packs to continue on heat mat.
Why did you change your sign off
It’s grow bigger now
👍🏼
You could have called this episode "How you kill your starts"...I over cooked my sprouts for years leaving domes on too long and overheating them.
He did, he clearly said or, or and or. You do one or the others typically not all three.
You mean Echinopsis cephalomacrostibas?
Another reason to speed up germination - when you missed your optimal seed starting date! (Or when a bomb cyclone took out some of your seedlings...)
Veryeducational THANKS forthe notice from God His creativecreation
For the life of me, I cannot germinate those microscopic seeds lol like petunias and herbs
soaked to much..... have 3 kids now... be careful :)
To much bla bla bla