Seed Priming/chitting ?

[Tarragon2017]

sorry for starting thread

I saw a video on youtube and it looked a handy way to see which seeds would germinate and which ones wouldnt. I thought as I have a small patch it owuld be handy to know the ones that germinate beforehand.

Plus it eradicates the need for thinning

But As you said I will just plant

[Bigmallly]

If you want to check viability of seeds just pop them in some moist kitchen roll & put in a container.

[Tarragon2017]

Thats what they said , put in water for an hour then moist paper for a few days in an air tight container ,

[Thelma Sanders]

It's what we call 'chitting'
I use the method for a few things, mainly for seed that is old or variable germination - as BM says.

[Martin H]

Ah, chitting. Yes, I do that for a few things, where I want to sow one seed per pot or module and don't want to waste compost on dud seeds. So sweetcorn and beans, for example. I use a sheet of wet kitchen roll folded to fit a suitable sized bowl, all inside a plastic bag. I sit this on a shelf above my desk where I can't forget about it. If they are slow to show signs of growth I'll give them a rinse every couple of days to stop them going mouldy. As soon as a root starts to appear I plant them in the compost.

[Tarragon2017]

Oh ok chitting sorry for the americanism , thanks for the confirmation

[Tarragon2017]

Can you use this method for all seeds?

[Bigmallly]

You could but it's normally used for larger seeds. I only use this method to check the viability of the seeds. There's nowt worse than sowing lots of seeds for only a handful to germinate.

[Tarragon2017]

Is the method always the same ?

[Bigmallly]

I think so, it's just a way of adding moisture to the seed so it can swell & germinate. I don't know the science behind it though.

[Nicos]

I chit (germinate) chilli seeds before planting as I seem to get a higher % of success with seedlings.
I guess mine tend to rot in the soil otherwise as I've not got green fingers with seed sowing direct!
You just need to go with what works for you

Oh yep...and as others say.....Enjoy the practical side of growing as much as your research!

Go on....we need to see piccies of your pots with seeds in! ( remember to talk to them, and check them at least every half hour...most of us swear by that method!)

[Nicos]

Oh...and I've altered the title to say chitting too, this should make future searches using our 'wonderful' search facility easier!
Hope you don't mind.

[Tarragon2017]

Thanks nicos hows is normandy these days

[Nicos]

^^^^^Wet and windy at the moment!

[the beadle]

I've just started chitting my sweetcorn, I've had one lot in a heated prop and 3 of 20 have come up, had the same problem last year, although I've been successful in the past. Chap from allotment-garden site recommends it so thought I'd give it a go.

It's now 10 days later and I've now got ALL my sweetcorn coming up, will be chitting again