You can use our germination plates with a variety of different seeds, nuts, bulbs and plants. Below is the basic technique for all seeds and pits.
We’ve made a few short videos showing you the best method for a few different seeds and plant types. If you prefer to read, rather than watch our quick tutorials, scroll down.
Do you want to learn more about avocados?
Do you want to learn more about lemons?
Do you want to learn more about almonds?
Do you want to learn more about pecans?
Do you want to learn more about cactus?
Do you want to learn more about pileas?
Click here for the article.
Do you want to learn more about acorns?
Do you want to learn more about beans?
Do you want to learn more about peanuts?
Do you want to learn more about chestnuts?
Do you want to learn more about pineapples?
Do you want to learn more about mangos?
Do you want to learn more?
Do you want to learn more about lychee?
Do you want to learn more about walnuts?
Do you want to learn more about hoya?
Click here for the article.
Dates, longans, lotus seeds, gingko, palm: follow the same method as the lychees.
Pistachios, macadamias: follow the almond method. Make sure they are raw, not roasted!
Castanospermum: follow the avocado method.
Hazelnuts: follow the walnut method.
Sweet chestnuts: follow the horse chestnut method.
Here’s the text version of the basic technique. However please refer to the videos for small variations that work best for each variety.
Larger tree seeds like acorns, chestnuts, and conkers work well. Smaller bulbs such as crocus, snowdrop or muscari are also very easy to grow. To Botanopiathem indoors all year round, you will need to trick them into thinking now is the perfect time to germinate. Follow the “cold treatment method” below.
Raw nuts like almonds, peanuts, cashews and pistachios or citrus fruit pits like lemon and oranges, once sprouted, will also fare well with our Botanopia Germination & Propagation Plate. Avocado and mango pits are a big favourite. Follow the “baggie method” below.
Feel free to experiment with fast growing seeds like beans and legumes, or even (sweet) potatoes, lemongrass and ginger! You can also use it to root small plant cuttings, a favourite that’s sure to succeed is the spider plant, but succulents and cacti are good candidates.
Not all seeds are guaranteed to sprout, so for best success we recommend sprouting a few at once. This is our favourite method, also called “the baggie method”.
You’ll need:
Place your seeds in the middle of the paper towel, fold in quarters so that your seeds are neatly tucked inside, then place inside your plastic bag. Wet the paper towel with a little bit of water, just enough to moisten it, but not so much that you’ll have water pooling inside the bag. Close your bag up, and place in a warm spot. You might want to write the date on the bag to keep track of it’s progress. When you see the first little roots coming out your seeds, it’s time to place it in Botanopiawith the roots in the water and watch it develop leaves.
If you have issues with mould developing on your seeds, you can use a mix of water and hydrogen peroxide to wet the paper towel. Dilute your hydrogen peroxide 1:25 and gently wipe your seeds with that solution too before wrapping them in a new paper towel and bag. Germination time depends on the seed and can take between 2 days (beans) and a month (avocado pits). Patience is key!
This is a variation on the baggie method, and is used on seeds that normally grow in colder climates. We need to trick the seed into thinking it’s just spent a cold wet winter outside in the ground, and now spring is coming and it’s time to grow, no matter what season or climate we are actually in right now. We use this method on acorns, chestnuts, conkers, and tree nuts in their shell like walnuts and almonds. In horticulture this is called stratification, but we like to think of it as a ski vacation for your seeds.
If you can’t wait to get new life growing into your sprout plate, why don’t you start with a fast-growing bean, while your seeds are taking their winter holidays in your fridge?
