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question on 'on the rocks' seed starting

Linda G (zone 6a)

15 years ago

Hey all,

Those of you that use it, how long do you wait on germination? if none, do you put the whole container back in the fridge? water change how often?

Thanks

Linda

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Comments (8)

lilynut
15 years ago
Most of ours sprout withing 6-10 days. We've put some back into the fridge, but not many sprouted from them anyways. We just leave them where they remain warm (70-75F), a few do sprout after weeks on sitting. If the start getting the fuzzies you can just pitch those as they will not grow and in our experience they are duds.

FWIW

Bruce and Tanya
fairysoapgirl
15 years ago
Hey Linda,
Like lilynut says... mostly I got germination pretty quick. There were some that were more stubborn, but they did eventually sprout after three weeks waiting (maybe the seed case was thicker, maybe they had gotten more dried out, who knows...). I didn't change my water at all, but I did use new rocks (perilite actually) in each container and watered with distilled water with a sterile syringe. When the water would get a little low, I would add more. You shouldn't have to do that too often, because your container is covered and the evaportation turns into condensation and falls back into the rocks.

Here is an interesting site with info about this method:
On the Rocks

Good luck!!
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Linda G (zone 6a)
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks guys. I used my own seed for the first time last year, some of them made raisins look plump so I had no exceptions!

The ones I bought this year from lilyaction were mostly quick but there are some slow ones and it's been 4 weeks.

yes, new rocks for every container - new container even - but was just using either tap or spring water and no, I haven't had to add water but was wondering if there was another way to prod them along!

Have thrown a few fuzzies away so far - my collection, tho!
fairysoapgirl
15 years ago
Linda,
I did have some that never sprouted, but didn't mold either. They were nice and plump... but, I had waited so long, that if I kept waiting, they wouldn't have made it in our summer, so I put them back in the fridge for this year. Who knows... I'll try again. I have read other's accounts, that after 3-4 weeks, they put them in the fridge again for a week, take them out and try again with some success. For me, if they haven't rotted, then why not try something that could work? Sometimes the seeds are seriously stubborn... but those babies are in there!
lovelyiris
15 years ago
After staying up and reading the entire site about one the rocks I rushed out and got me some cups from our local pizza place. LOL

I now have 100 cups with crosses in each of them. I still have tons of seeds to start besides the ones I've already put in the cups. The pizza guy is ordering me a case of the little cups and lids, they come 3,000 to a case. Therefore I should have enough to start the rest of my seeds and the ones yet to come from the Lily Auction.Guess I'll try some of my iris seeds using this system too.

I loved the pictures and the wonderful information that Mariann and her friend Eric shared with us about growing seeds using the rock method. I feel like I have a much better chance of getting all my seeds started this year. LOL

The paper towel method was about to wear me out looking, taking out a few seeds and then wrapping them back up and trying not to misplace any of the names or mixing the seeds by accident. I think I'm going to love this rock starting method.

Thanks Marianne and Eric West for providing such good information with all of us. I think this is going to make growing seedlings alot easier for this old lady!

Happy Gardening, Marian
can_mj
15 years ago
Hi Marian,

I'm glad you had the opportunity to go through the website and I appreciate your appreciation. :)

I just wanted to let you (and others) know that I will be taking that website down at some time during this month. I had it posted on a website that I used for business purposes. I no longer generate revenue from that business and maintaining the website is costing me $32/month. It's time for it to go.

Eventually I hope to develop a 'daylily only' website as soon as I can come up with a funky .com address - its hard to decide on a name when you expect you'll have to live with it for some time. Anyway, once that's up I will repost the pages along with any new information I acquire from the current grow season.

Thanks again!
Marianne

PS - I sent this forum link to Eric and he's delighted that everyone is enjoying the 'rocks' method too.
fairysoapgirl
15 years ago
Marian,
I also really enjoyed your post from last year. It really worked great for me, and I can't wait to see what happens with the seedlings I started! I don't know if you'd like to, but I have an account where I can post your info (with you and Eric getting full credit, of course). It would be a real shame for this info not to be available to others. If you want to send me an email via "My Page", maybe we can work it out if you'd be into it.
fairysoapgirl
15 years ago
Here is the link: Daylily Daze

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