Chives. How many seeds are enough? and what about coatings?

[jestermax]

On my current garden (which I have to tear out as I am getting a replacement AG), I moved Thai Basil to a teacup next to the AeroGarden to keep as a pet. In its place, I opted to grow chives using seeds from the store and one of the blank AG pods. Well, I had a bad time since this is the first time I've ever planted something. I had one seed germinate and it was hidden too much by dill and basil to get enough light, so it's a tiny thing, hanging out along, loyal to nobody. 

As I am getting a NEW garden, it would be great to have chives and have them work and have them be multiples. 

Question 1) How many seeds should I try to shove into the pod? I stupidly didn't put in enough it seems the first time. 

Question 2) Has anybody ever dealt with seed coatings? These have a green coating on them, presumably for easier handling, but I think I have to manually soak and remove them for AeroGarden (as there's no soil to abraise or whatever causes them to normally work). My initial issue MAY have been that I didn't remove the coatings on enough seeds, but I am ignorant and not wise, so I'm not sure. 

[Shawn]

I am growing chives in the AG however many of our members just place a pod in a cup of water.  Add a bunch of seeds in the center and around the tops.  Do not add nutes until they grow.  Put a dome on them and just lift them in and out of the cup a couple times a day for aeration.  Use the AG lights or other lighting.  Many do this and they grow like weeks.

The coating is a pelleted seed.  I find they take longer as the coating must dissolve.  I have to look but whatever two vendors I am using now are doing great.

[Sher]

jestermax, another thing that would probably help with germination is to thoroughly soak your sponges before adding your seeds to them.

I just discovered that, and I have been Aerogardening for a while.

[kanewai]

Mar 13, 2021 18:43:51 GMT -5 Sher said:

jestermax , another thing that would probably help with germination is to thoroughly soak your sponges before adding your seeds to them.

I just discovered that, and I have been Aerogardening for a while.

I never even thought of soaking the pods first.  I'm replanting my AG tonight or tomorrow - I'm glad I read this post!

[Sher]

Good luck on the new garden, kanewai.

[Happy]

Mar 13, 2021 13:32:24 GMT -5 jestermax said:

Question 1) How many seeds should I try to shove into the pod? I stupidly didn't put in enough it seems the first time. 

Question 2) Has anybody ever dealt with seed coatings? These have a green coating on them, presumably for easier handling, but I think I have to manually soak and remove them for AeroGarden (as there's no soil to abraise or whatever causes them to normally work). My initial issue MAY have been that I didn't remove the coatings on enough seeds, but I am ignorant and not wise, so I'm not sure. 

1) About Shawn's excellent suggestion: Rapid Rooters sponges are much larger than AG sponges and can be used for her method

2) Pelleted seeds might be okay for planting in dirt, but they really aren't adequately food-safe for hydroponics, from what I've read.