Germination medium
I put in a handful of peatmoss, pour in plenty of water and let it sit for a minute, then I squeeze out the excess water, drop in the seeds, shake the bag to mix the seeds into the peat moss, throw them up on top of the fridge where they will stay warm and begin waiting, and waiting,
Some of the seeds rot, some do nothing. I did have success with one bag of Paw Paw, another bag of Paw Paw rotted.
My best results have come from layering different soils. An inch orr more of light potting soil in the bottom of the tray, a thin layer of sand over that which acts as an anchor, a little perlite then the seeds then more perlite then sand on the very top. Sometimes I am heavy handed with the water so the sand on the top keeps me from blasting the seeds out of place. The perlite surrounding the seeds ensures they are moist but not wet, a thin layer of sand prevents the potting soil from migrating into the perlite during germination and the potting soil starts providing nutrients as soon as the roots reach it.
The following thread was started by George 23 San Diego on March 24, 2008 at 9:59 pm PST
I do not add water and squeeze it out, unless it is bone dry. If you open a new bad, and it is just barely damp, that is all you need,if the seeds have been presoaked.
When water gets into my peat moss bag and it gets too wet, or I water it because it dries out. I squeeze the water out, all that I can get out of it. Then I might add some dryer potting mix and perlite, if it does not want to comply on its own. I make it so, it is damp, but light and loose and friable, just barely damp medium.
Avocado seeds, I just toss into the bag with damp peat moss, don't soak them.
Also, not all seeds you get are good, especially if you get them from seed vendors; no telling how old or if they were every good.
David
The above followup was added by DavidLJ48, Waterford CA, zone14 on March 25, 2008 at 0:08 am PST.
I was wondering how people keep the moss wet until roots have formed.
Jeff
The above followup was added by Jeff on March 25, 2008 at 1:43 pm PST.
I guess I have been using too much water. Jeff's post reminded me that another problem I have encountered is the Moss drying because the baggie did not seal well.
The above followup was added by George on March 25, 2008 at 10:25 pm PST.
I've wondered about that also, Jeff. There are some special pots out there made specifically for airlayering with a syringe to add water. But, when I was down to George Emerich's last month with my grower friend I saw some airlayers reportedly being done by Ben and I was told that no water needed to be added. I'd like to know more.
The above followup was added by HarveyC on March 26, 2008 at 9:02 am PST.