Ultimate Guide To Germinating Seeds In Paper Towel

Germinating seeds in a paper towel works best for stubborn seeds that require controlled moisture and humidity for germination.

Although the paper towel method saves you costs and time, improperly carried out steps can mess up germination. Thus, read on to learn the most optimal ways to germinate seeds.

Do Seeds Germinate Faster in a Paper Towel?

Germinating seeds in a paper towel is much faster than in the soil, as paper towels offer a pathogen-free medium with controlled moisture.

Although some seeds take longer to germinate in the soil, they can still germinate faster in the paper towel.

Here are some beneficial factors of germinating seeds in a paper towel to boost germination.

• You can check the seeds daily, which is impossible for soil base medium.
• Allows you to germinate multiple seeds in minimal space.
• Faster germination, usually within 2 to 8 days, depending on the seeds.
• Provides a sterile environment for the proper germination of the seeds.
• Clean germination processes that do not involve getting hands dirty with the soil.

However, deep-rooted vegetables like radishes and carrots shall be grown directly in the garden.

Celery can also be an exception as its seeds needs atop soil sprinkling.

How to Germinate Different Seeds in Paper Towel?

Germinating seeds in a paper towel is relatively easy, and you can carry out the baggie method side by side.

But, the baggie method can be tedious as they need pre-treatment, and germination is slower for tiny seeds.

That said, it works well for seeds of tropical trees.

Now, let us germinate seeds in a paper towel without further ado, shall we?

Germination in Wet Paper Towel

In a wet paper towel, the cloth acts as a substrate for seed germination in a sterile environment.

So, ensure the paper towel you use for germination is clean and chemical-free.

• Fold a paper towel in half and use a spray bottle to wet the towel from both sides.
• But do not make the paper towel drip wet.
• Place the seed in the middle of the towel, maintaining the space according to the size of the seeds.

• As seeds need more space for their sprouts to appear, do not overlap the seeds.
• Use more paper towels if you plan to germinate in bulk.
• After placing the seeds, roll up the next part of the paper towel and spray some water.
• Do not tighten the towels, as they can bring the seeds closer.
• Take a Ziploc bag and wet inside of it, and place the paper towel in it.
• Place the bag over a heating mat or at the back of refrigerators to maintain optimal conducive temperature.
• Regularly inspect seeds by taking out the zipper bag.
• Once the new roots sprout from seeds, sow them in their original place.

The sprouting can vary from two days to two weeks depending upon the seeds’ viability and variety.

Similarly, here are the best seeds to germinate in paper towels.

Germination in Bags with Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum moss in a bag can be a good alternative for plants demanding moist and well-drained substrate.

• Presoak the seeds in lukewarm water overnight.
• Prepare a handful of sphagnum moss and thoroughly wash it to make it clean and damp.
• Squeeze the excess water from the moss, leaving only the required dampness.
• Take a Ziploc bag and label it with the name of the plants you are growing with the date.
• Put the moss in the bag with the seeds.
• Lock it without leaving any air inside but do not tighten the moss to allow air passage within the bag.

• Put the bag near the kitchen surrounding heating vents or warm areas to maintain a conducive temperature.
• Regularly check the bag for new sprouts, and take it out when the first root appears for transplanting.

The bag of sphagnum moss is suitable for the flowers like Alocasia, Orchids, Begonia, and Calathea.

Germination in Bags With Vermiculite

Vermiculites can be a good option even when used alone for germination and propagation.

But again, presoak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water before placing the seeds in vermiculite.

• Use a three-part dry and one-part wet vermiculite washed with boiled water.
• Mix the vermiculites in a bowl till they feel moist to the touch.
• 250 cc of the vermiculite mix is enough for a standard Ziploc bag for 10-20 seeds.
• Add the mix to the bag and add the presoaked seed.
• Afterward, lock the bag, pulling out the excess air.
• Place the bags in a warm temperate room to boost the germination rate.
• Since the vermiculite method mainly benefits trees’ seeds, you can check the sprouting after two weeks of planting.

You can get better results if you soak the Cycads seeds in water for 5-7 days.

The baggie method with vermiculite suits tree seeds like Cycads, palms, and other tropical trees.

What To Do After Germinating Seeds in Paper Towel?

Once the seed starts to put on new root growth, you shall transfer the sprouted seeds to the fresh soil mix.

If you are late to make the transfer, the seeds will most likely attach themselves to the paper, making it difficult to transplant.

Thus, aim to transplant the seedling when you notice a pointy sprout growing out of the seed.

Gently pull the seed head using tweezers to move the seeds from the paper towel without popping out the seed head or snapping the new roots.

Alternatively, tear the paper towel while keeping a small portion intact with the seedling’s root.

Once you have separated the seed sprout from the paper towel, carefully plant the seed with roots pointing downwards.

Dig a hole in the soil before transplanting, as seedlings have delicate roots, and then cover it with light soil.

After planting the seeds, do not dab or compress the soil, as it can harm the seedling.

Why are My Seeds not Germinating in Paper Towel?

Some of your seeds might not germinate regardless of the efforts that you have put into them.

Remember, if the paper towel is too wet, the seeds can rot and will not germinate. Thus, aim for twice-a-day water spray.

Likewise, some crops like hybrid Sorghum and hybrid corn germinate better in low moisture.

Contrarily, a lack of moisture can also discourage seed germination. So, seal the bag tightly to prevent moisture loss from evaporation.

Remember, before anything else, seed germination primarily depends on the viability of the seeds.

Thus, ensure the seeds are fresh and have not exceeded their maximum shelf life.

Also, run a background check on what kind of condition the seeds need before hopping on to the germination steps.