RE: Cylindrical farming - The 3 stages - Blog 2

D_Hersey — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 02:47:52 GMT

I am not an expert, so I hesitate to comment. It seems to me that sprouting seeds in nutrient solution may not be a good idea. I would use clear water, but I would change it out often. The seed makes a decision to sprout. It isn't just water it seeks, but flowing water. If solutes from the seed don't go away, the seed might take a pass, figuring the water to be stagnant. I would get a plastic chopping board and incline it slightly over the side of a sink. I would wrap the seeds in a sheet of the really cheap, institutional brown paper towels most usually found in the lav at school. Then I would get a large Squib funnel in a ring stand. Remembering to lube the stopcock, I'd set it to drip-drip-drip HOH 'til I returned. Leaving nutrients out minimizes the chance of contamination. If I was really concerned about this, I would put a drop of peroxide in the water. The seed has nutrient internally to get the seedling over this stage. That is what makes seed one of the most nutritious foods.

Also, research the organisms you are hosting. I have a variegated wildflower garden out back. I was told to scarify the Illinois Bundleflower seeds or they wouldn't hatch. Actually, my experiment with soaking them then then using lots worked, otherwise, I would have gotten out the sandpaper. Don't put bundleflower seeds in the center of the garden, they wont grow there, put them at the edges. Make your garden outline serpentine or otherwise concave if you want more. I digress. . .