Improved paper towel and baggy method for germinating seeds (fast)

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Learn about an improved method for seed germination. I demonstrate the traditional paper towel method as well as my improved baggy method. Speed up the germination process for any kind of seed. I have used this method on hundreds of different kinds of seed including perennials, alpines, bulbs, trees and shrubs.

Chapters:
0:00 Start
1:20 Supplies you need
3:11 Selecting the best paper towel
5:04 The baggy method
8:33 Incubate the seeds
9:39 How to plant the sprouted seed
14:30 What to do about difficult seed
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Improved paper towel and baggy method for germinating seeds (fast)

Learn about an improved method for seed germination. I demonstrate the traditional paper towel method as well as my improved baggy method. Speed up the germination process for any kind of seed. I have used this method on hundreds of different kinds of seed including perennials, alpines, bulbs, trees and shrubs.
There are several different methods for starting seeds indoors that work well for vegetable seeds and flower seeds. In this post I will review the various seed starting methods and help guide you in selecting the right method for your situation.

Starting Seeds Indoors

There are three basic ways to start seed indoors; in pots or containers, the paper towel or baggy method and winter sowing. The last one is not really a form of starting seeds indoors, but it is a good alternative for home owners.

Winter Sowing:

Starting Seeds in Paper Towels or Baggies

Pros:

You can see the germination process. Not only is this exciting, but it can tell you a lot about your seed. If you never see the root in the baggy you know that the seed is either not viable, or the pre-treatment was not the right one. If it germinates ie produces a root, then it is viable. If subsequently, the seedling dies it is not a germination problem.
A lot of seed can be germinated in a small space using this method. You can hold 100 baggies of different seed in one hand – try toing that with 100 pots. Granted, if you are successful with all 100 seeds, they do need to go into pots at some point.
Seed that takes a long time to germinate requires little care since the seed stays moist in the baggy.
Stratification procedures are easy to carry out since the bags take up so little room in a fridge.
Maximum use of seed. Since you can see which seed germinates, you need fewer seeds. In the potted method most people plant excess seed and weed out the extra. With this method you can put each seed into its own pot. This can be a real benefit for rare or expensive seed of limited quantity.

Cons:

Requires an extra step. You have to put seed into baggies, and then you still need to pot them up. But you only pot up the ones that germinate.
Extremely small seed can be difficult to handle. The video below shows you how to handle small seed using the baggy method.
Baggies need to be examined more frequently for germinating seed than pots.
No special lights are needed for germination, but once they are potted up they need the same light as any growing seedling.

Vermiculite and Baggies

This is a variation of the above baggy method using vermiculite instead of a paper towel

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I am 60 years old and have been gardening in one form or another for many years. In 24 hours I have learned more about gardening than my entire 60 years combined. I really enjoy Robert's presentation style ... direct and to the point. Also all of his content is relevent. I have finally been able to answer the countlesss number of questions that I have had regarding conflicting information about gardening that is out there. Thank you Robert!

jwalt
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With tiny seeds, I have used a very similar method, but with toilet tissue squares, (It breaks down easier, but you're still able to handle it.) inside the baggie. When they sprout, I just plant the whole sheet. It breaks down nicely, doesn't hamper growth, and actually nourishes the soil. Works like a charm! ;). Happy planting everybody!

Bluessongstress
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Where have you been my entire adult life? I have been involved with farming from my youth and I’m 63 years old. I was actually a commercial grower for 10 years and I have learned more from your videos and most of the books or other sources I have studied over the years. Thank you. You definitely have not missed your calling.

dannpurvis
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I did this paper towel method back in 2nd grade. I didn't think much of it back then, but now I want to start planting stuff so here I am re-learning again hahaha. Great video!

kongvang
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A trick I learned for moving smaller seeds like oregano is to use a wet toothpick to pick them up. The seed sticks to the toothpick until you lay it in the soil. Easier than tweezers and you can control the placement.

swdw
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After watching your videos, my work efficiency improved by 1000-fold. I can't thank God enough for introducing you to me. Being my teacher, you will always be in my prayers. Stay blessed! 💕

Bilal_A_K_Niazai
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Absolutely thankful for you sharing your expertise! I am 47 years old and have been death to plants my entire life. Now my daughter has bought a house and will be moving in June. She said that eventually she wants to grow all of her food. I wanted to make a special gift for her and am planting an entire batch of kitchen herbs, red onions, and garlic. I have been saving seeds from every bit of fruit I eat and I have realized that when I'm planting and growing for someone I love I am able to be more dedicated to the process. I am a novice gardner and I'm grateful to learn from someone who has been doing this for years. Thank you so much for helping a newbie. You now have a new subscriber and thumbs up and will most definitely be watching all of your mastery. Thank you so much for helping my daughter get started on the life that she desires. When she moves in I've already got her started.

teresawillhite
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For anyone wondering if this works, YES, It does. 100/10.

I did this with pumpkin seeds that i saved from the largest pumpkin i bought last fall.

Followed the improved baggie method, I placed in between a thick folded pillowcase (was about the thickness of an ovenmit)that i had laying around. I put that on my cat’s Heatpad that she wasn’t using (The window leaks cold air in the winter so she won’t use it until it gets consistently warm enough) and supposedly it takes 10 days for them germinate but they had good long roots already by day 3!

I put 12 seeds in the baggie expecting to need a second batch to get to my desired 10.

All 12 Sprouted xD Good method, definitely recommend!

KittinPyro
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Baggies, a single sheet of thick paper towel, upside down = Magic! I appreciated you sharing your experience with detailed and careful narration. Thank you!

garystaines
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once information. totally impressed :D

secondaccount
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One germination method I have adjusted successfully is the paper towel and baggie. I add a coffee filter between the paper towel (roots don’t grow through) also allows for air so that once a tap root emerges it doesn’t “drown” (too much water, no air) H2O2, 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, diluted with water can help some stubborn seeds get that seed to POP it’s basically super water, but again, when diluted. Lots of information laid out here, very well done 👍💚🌱 love “sharpening” up that Green Thumb of mine 😁

htfuk
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1:20 - Supplies
3:11 - Paper Towel
5:04 - Baggy method
8:33 - Incubate
9:39 - Planting Sprouts
14:30 - Difficult Seeds

*Pin this comment.*

FusionDeveloper
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Plastic egg containers have 12 individual compartments. Very useful before recycling. Wash it first. i have used small snippets of papertowels, then planting the entire snippet with the sprout. Great for beans too.

malakingdude
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I just finished watching 3 different videos and yours was the most straight forward. I only wish you had shown the seeds as they grew into plants.

maureenscott
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My grandpa showed me this with tomato seeds and I've used it for every seed I've every planted.
*8:05* Mind. Blown.
That flipping the baggie OVER idea, is GENIUS!
After struggling for so long witheasily, taking my time getting seeds out, (it's taken up to 2 hrs with Butternut squash, THOSE roots, are a nightmare!) So now that I know to flip it, hopefully I'll avoid having to fight with paper towels to tear roots away and worry about damaging them in the process!!

thmonkeyresonance
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I used the baggy method this year to germinate peppers and tomatoes. After just 6 days, 3 varieties of tomatoes and 8, of peppers germinated and I moved the seeds to containers. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.

jeffcliv
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We did this method in grammar school in the 50's. I thought is was great!! We didn't' have plastic bags but used just the damp paper towel

jumperstartful
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Thank you very much for this video. I felt like I was in a one on one class being taught very important yet simple tips. You were very informative, and took the time to explain. Thank you.

breeaillestowe
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The eloquence, experience and generosity of sharing is inspiring. Thanks.

alanryanhall
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Thumbs up if you ever did the paper towel method for pot seeds back in the day lol

dirtyoarcatfishing