Experiment on Neps seed germination

[alpiner]

3/11/11 Last update: Third experiment on further simplification of germination method
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Objective: Assess germination without FL. Increase sample size with coco peat, further comparing effect of using cover for this method.
Environment: Direct morning sun vs Non direct morning sun + 2hrs of 2xT5 FL (2x14W)
Species: N.ampullaria Dark Red x ? (2 pods)
Water method: Water tray
Sowed: 20 Feb 2011
Comparing:
1. Coco peat under FL (cover vs uncovered) 50 seeds each
2. Media (SM, coco peat) vs covered/uncovered, under morning sun.

Content:
~ 50 seeds in covered coco peat (FL)
~ 50 seeds in uncovered coco peat (FL)
~ 25 seeds in covered coco peat (Direct morning sun)
~ 25 seeds in covered sphagnum moss (Direct morning sun)
~ 25 seeds in uncovered coco peat (Direct morning sun)
~ 25 seeds in uncovered sphagnum moss (Direct morning sun)

Results:
Covered coco peat (FL)
- First to germinate of all experiment legs, in 13days.
- Almost 100% germinated!
- No noticeable algae/fungus formation
- Definitely my future method for seed germination. And with this I'll end the chapter on seed germination experiment.

Uncovered coco peat (FL)
- Around 30-40% germinated. May still more to come. Uneven wetness/dryness observed on top of coco peat, even with water tray.

Balcony with direct morning sun (The rest)
- Bad idea
- SM form algae, bad smells
- Only few germinated at shaded edge, probably too hot
- Heavy rain flooded water tray and rearrange SM inside seed box, even though seeds at 1.5cm above highest point of water tray. As result many seeds buried under sm.