The seeds I used in the photos were very fresh and were from my own plant but I also used this same technique for my golden bell seeds that came from overseas and got 100% germinate.

Christine may I ask what kind of Fungicide you use? Also what is plant starter, as I haven't heard of it?

I might try this with my golden bells. Looks promising.

Tracy, the first time I tried it was with the seeds in the photos. I did them in batches and every batch had the same results. The only fail I have had was with my Black Pearl Aramicums which I purchased with the Golden Bells. Only 2 of them have germinated so far which they did within 3 days. I just went and checked them again and found that the paper towel under the black pearl seeds was a bit too damp. I stupidly gave them a spray because I thought the paper towel wasn't moist enough and sprayed too much. So don't do that. You shouldn't need to spray during the 7 days as with the container being sealed it causes condensation. But I partially opened the pods and all but one has a tiny green bump. One had rotted and was brown so hopefully by transferring them to the soil the others will be ok.

I'm in Australia so the brands I use will probably not be available. But the fungicide I use is called Mancozeb. It's in powder form so I just mix up what I need. And Plant Starter is like a rooting hormone. It was the only liquid form I could find that wasn't a dipping gel.

Great info and results :-)

Thanks for the information Christine! Will try out this method if I do have seeds in future.

Jeb

Thank you for posting this Christine, it's been incredibly informative :)

I planted my last socos seeds in a paper towel, hopefully they will sprout! My last six didn't do well in soil, only one out of six made it. Thank you Christine

I have my fingers and toes crossed for u Elena.

Christine thanks for posting the details about the products that you use. I am looking forward to testing out this method in the near future. I need to pick up some fungicide. Yates is only available in AU but I can find something with similar ingredients. I keep rooting concentrate on hand.

Tracy

I started part of my Flame Adenium seeds in paper towels and the rest in my potting mix today. Out on the patio table. Hopefully both will do well. Thanks, Christine for the tips.

Keep me posted on how u go Cynthia. I swear by raising them this way, just hope it is as successful for u.

I just uncovered both trays for some fresh air. The soil seemed a bit dry after I sprinkled a bit of soil just to sovereign the seeds in potting mix, and the paper towels too moist. I spritzed the one and left the papers towels uncovered for a bit. It has just stopped raining so it's humid out. They won't dry out, but they will air out. Thanks, Christine.

Christine, it's working! My flame seeds are sprouting in paper towels after only 3 days. Thank you.

That's fantastic news. Sooo happy for u and relieved for me haha. Was worried that I was dooming everyone's seeds.

Well, I am very happy. Not sure how long a tail before I transfer the babied to their new home. Any suggestions?

When they look like the 3rd photo above transplant them into soil when u can see the little roots. They should just slip out of their cases really easily. Don't leave them any longer than the 7 days once they have their roots. The roots will look like they have white fur growing on them, I think that's just the little tiny side roots developing (well that's what I think it is). U can leave any that are still developing for a bit longer if u want. The risk is leaving them longer than a week will risk mold growth on the babies. I left some of the slower developers for a few extra days then after that I planted everything regardless of size. Just remove the husks, even if the husk is still intact when u open it u will find a tiny green baby. I planted about 10 that were slow and very tiny and the majority of those still came up.

I found using a skewer helped when moving them to soil. And I still planted them into seed raising mix until they grow their 6/8sets of leaves so they still get good moisture. Don't put them straight out into the sun, just give them a few days in semi shade to adjust. And for me, putting them on a tray and watering from the bottom worked best. Oh and up to u but when I was removing them from the paper towel I just popped them into some rooting hormone before transferring them into the soil. They just had a quick swim.

I think I've covered everything u need to know. Let me know if I missed anything.