Spinach Space F1 Organic (7/01/2023) [TERMINATED]

[mike]

I'm trying an experiment. In the past, I've had less than 25% germination on spinach. Today, I put 14 Spinach Space F1 seeds in to soak for a day or so. I will then transfer the seeds to a damp paper towel folded and slid into an open ziplock bag. I will give that 3 days to germinate until I check them.

I would like at least 8 germinated seeds to transfer to the Farm. Ultimately, I'd like to grow 6 plants. I got this idea from YouTube videos.

[mike]

Now that the seeds have soaked for a little more than 24 hours, I put them in a damp paper towel and slide it inside an open zip-lock bag.

I place the bag on top of a Farm light panel. It is a little warm and will assist the germination. Wednesday night I will check the seeds.

[Shawn]

Let me know if you can get it to germinate.  Mark would love spinach

[lynnee]

Ray would love home-grown spinach, too. I think that I'll try your method right away!

[mike]

I'll check on them Wednesday. I'll take a pic on Thursday of the unfolded towel. 

I love spinach. I want to make a bacon/spinach/dill mayo for my wraps.

The guy in the videos I watched go about 60% to germinate. That's good enough for me.

[mike]

Preparing the Farm basin to use today. I want to make sure it's working perfectly when the seedlings are ready to plant. That will probably start Friday. It may take a couple of days to get enough for what I want to grow. I received two extra pumps from Amazon, yesterday.

The garden is running water through it, the lights are working. It will be at least Friday before I have seedlings to transfer.

[mike]

I checked tonight, and nothing yet. I don't know why I checked, it's been only 2 days in the paper towel.

[mike]

I think I made a mistake with this project. Further research has told me that germination requires cold, not warm to succeed. I need to do more research. Meanwhile, it has been six days with no success.

Last night, I put a bunch of seeds in damp towel and put that in the refrigerator. I removed them this afternoon. I will let those now sit at room temperature. It also said this takes longer for germination.

Tonight, I'm starting a different method I found online. I will check on that Sunday morning.

This is really starting to annoy me. I WILL find a way to do this. I have 3 different methods going right now. I just ordered 2 new spinach varieties. The time of the year may not be the best right now. I will keep researching.

[mike]

SUCCESS!!

Spinach Seed Germination Experiments (3 Methods)

Method 1 Damp Paper Towel Placed On Warm Heat Source (Failure)

July 1 - Soak spinach seeds for 24 hours.
July 2

Remove soaked seeds and put in damp paper towel.
Slide in open Zip-lock bag.
Place on top of warm light panel.

July 9 - Not one seed germinated.

Method 2 Cold Harden Then H₂O₂ Kicker (Limited Success)

July 6

Put seeds in damp paper towel.
Slide in open Zip-lock bag.
Place Bag in Refrigerator.

July 7 - Remove from Refrigerator and place on counter.
July 8 - Add H₂O₂ solution to towel seeds are stored in.
July 9 - About 15% of seeds have sprouted.

Method 3 H₂O₂ Soak in Dark for 36 Hours  (Success)

July 7

Prepare Hydrogen Peroxide Solution; 2 cups water, 2 Tbs Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)
Take styrofoam plate and lay 2 sheets paper towel on that
Spread out seeds on paper towel
Lay 2 more sheets of paper towel on top of seeds
Pour H₂O₂ solution over towels. Careful, not too much.
Around the edges of the plate, roll the towel inward to the edge of the plate to create a barrier so the water doesn't pour out.
Place another Styrofoam plate upside down over the top with all toweling inside.
Slide inside open Zip-lock bag.
Store in dark closed cupboard for 36 hours.

July 9 - Success - More than 2/3 of seeds have sprouted in 36 hours!

[mike]

I'm not really happy with the way some of these pods look. They aren't due nutrients until next week. I gave them a little goose (6 ml) of Ionic Grow before I went to bed last night.

[lynnee]

It's so cool, seeing all those little spinaches!

[mike]

These don't look as happy as I would like. They are due nutes this weekend. I think I will do a water change.

[mike]

Today I removed the 2 smallest plants and pitched them. After that, I moved the 4 smallest to a Bounty.

The plants weren't as happy as I would like so I dumped the water and refilled. I have some burnt tips on some of the leaves making me think it was a bit rich nutrient wise. Early on, I gave them a little extra splash of nutrients, and I probably shouldn't have. After the refill, I added  32 ml Ionic Grow.



I added 20 ml Ionic Grow to the Bounty.

[Shawn]

I am so glad to see you were able to germinate.  I may have to retry using your method.

[mike]

I'm not very happy with how slow these are growing. I typically use just Ionic Grow nutrients for greens. The choi and lettuce thrive and grow incredibly fast. Perhaps the spinach needs more. I'm thinking to go to the regular AG nutrients. They aren't due until next week. We'll see.

[lynnee]

Your spinach may be slow-growing, but it looks marvelous, mike! Perhaps it is a heavy feeder, and just needs some extra nutes? Like my cucumbers?

[Shawn]

They look great although slow growers

[mike]

I'm not happy with them at all. The leaves in the Farm are yellowing. The ones in the Bounty look healthier, but thjey all are too small. They are due nutes tomorrow. I'm dumping the water and switching to AG nutes for these.

[lynnee]

Perplexing, mike, about the yellowing leaves!  

8 Reasons Your Spinach Leaves Are Turning White or Yellow

[mike]

I've been thinking nutrient deficiency since I saw the yellow. I just fed them a day early. I switched to AG nutrients. 22 ml for the Farm, 11 ml for the Bounty.