When is Germination complete?

[robfosters]

When the plant looks like the one in my pic or when the leaves are separated into 2? Need to know when to whip my clingfilm off and start growing on.

[Two_Sheds]

Germnation just means it's popped up, it's alive, it's not still a seed it's a seedling

I can't read the rest of your question, the big photo has gone off the edge of my screen... ah, OK Zaz has fixed it. Clingfilm is to keep moisture on the seed. When the seed becomes a seedling, take the cling off - or you'll get moulds

[zazen999]

As soon as you see green, remove the cling film/take out of the propagator/heat.

[ugley_matt]

Would you advice against sowing in module trays then as i tend to find they all geminate at different rates so you are either taking them out too early or too late.

[zazen999]

I use the little tiny pots with a pinch of seeds in each, as soon as I see green, it gets whipped out.

[elsie-scot]

If youdon't have small pots and as you are using cling film if you have a few different types of seeds growing in a module, if you keep the same type in one row you could manage to uncover one section as they germinate.

[ugley_matt]

I use the little tiny pots with a pinch of seeds in each, as soon as I see green, it gets whipped out.

I like that idea, in fact i got given a couple of the shuttle trays with the tiny little pots in that i should use for this.

So as soon as the shoot is out of the soil, take it out, let the leaves form, pot it on then reuse the pot back in the warmth.

Looks like a good system.

[Kristen]

I do similar, I have 1/4 sized trays and a propagator (well, just a heated tray!) that 7 can sit on (with transparent plastic lids). I have 7 spare trays, so once they germinate the lid comes off, and a bit later they come off the heat, and then about 14 days has elapsed and I sow the other 7 trays (i.e. I sow batches seeds about twice a month). Then after another 14 days the first batch have all been pricked out and their trays are ready for reuse again.

So you may want two sets of shuttle trays (or some spare pots that fit the trays)

[Kristen]

A picture might help visualise it

[Two_Sheds]

Would you advice against sowing in module trays then as i tend to find they all geminate at different rates

You could sow "too many" and then only grow on the quickest germinators (terminating the others - off with their heads). I do that with plants that I want to save seed from, eg peas & beans.

HHA flowers, chillies and toms I sow a seed per module (usually modules of six). When the first one or two are up, I remove from heated prop & grow on on the windowsill. The others usually catch up, or if they don't I'm not bothered. I always sow 'more than enough'

[ugley_matt]

You could sow "too many" and then only grow on the quickest germinators (terminating the others - off with their heads). I do that with plants that I want to save seed from, eg peas & beans.

HHA flowers, chillies and toms I sow a seed per module (usually modules of six). When the first one or two are up, I remove from heated prop & grow on on the windowsill. The others usually catch up, or if they don't I'm not bothered. I always sow 'more than enough'

In the past i haven't discarded enough so i think i need to be a bit more ruthless and get rid of the weak.

Although saying that any excess plants tend to get sold at work, tomato plants at a pound each. Last year i sold £30 worth which covered all my seed and compost costs for that year.