Hibiscus: Dr. Deno’s Seed Germination Books are now in Public Domain., 1 by Michael_Ronayne

Michael_Ronayne wrote:
In the version of the Deno Method which I use, two sheets of white kitchen paper towels are separated and each is followed twice forming a square of approximately 6”x6” with four ply of paper in each square. The two squares are hydrated with water but not excessively, opened and interleaved forming a 6”x6” square with two flaps of each side. Previously treated seeds are placed in the center and the two flaps are closed reforming the 6”x6” square with four-ply of hydrated paper above and below the seeds.

I had been using an inflated Ziploc Bag to maintain moisture during the germination; but, recently found that the Slider Ziploc Bag is more effective at remaining inflated for days during the germination process.

There are problems with this technique:

1. Small seeds can get trapped in the holes in the paper towels.
2. Seeds with fast growing root hairs can become entangled in the paper towels.
3. Root entanglement is a problem for seedlings which are slow to separate from the shell.

Once root hairs are attached to the paper towels it is very dangerous to try and separate the root from the paper. In such cases, it is better to cut the paper away and plant the seedling with a piece of paper attached.

In discussing this problem with DG member Htop from San Antonio, who was using the Deno Method for the first time I had speculated that a layer of writing paper might mitigate the above problems but I know that such paper has been treated with whitening agents to improve contrast and would not be rated as food-safe. Kitchen paper towels are intended to come in contact with foods and should be safe. Htop suggested that Parchment Paper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parchment_paper_(baking) ), also know as Baking Paper, was food-safe and might be just the thing I was looking for. It turned out that there was already a ready supply of parchment paper in my kitchen which I was able to use for testing.

Parchment paper is dense and at first repels water. I found that if I boiled the parchment paper in water for a few minutes, over the stove or in the microwave, it becomes hydrated and will remain so as long as it isn’t allowed dry out. I have stored hydrated parchment paper in water for days in anticipation of future use. Pleased be careful when working with any boiling liquid!

When I am ready to start seeds, I cut a 6”x12” section of parchment paper which is first hydrated in boiling water. The parchment paper is folded into a 6”x6” square which is placed in the open square of folded kitchen paper towels. The seeds are placed on the parchment paper and the second section of parchment paper is folded over the first inclosing the seeds. The two flaps of the kitchen paper towels are then folded enclosing the parchment paper and seeds. The resulting 6”x6” square of hydrated paper consists of four ply of kitchen paper towels and one ply of parchment paper on top, a layer of seeds and one ply of parchment paper and four ply of kitchen towels on the bottom. The paper sandwich with seeds goes into a Slider Ziploc Bag when root development starts in one to two days. I use to move the seedlings to dirt once there was good root development but now I try and wait until the seedling has seed-leaves and has separated from its shell.

I move the seedlings to dirt one at a time as I judge them to be ready. Generally, the transfer process can extend over a number of days and the healthier and vigorous seedlings are the first to be moved and can retain a growth advantage for months.

Attached is a picture of hybrid Hibiscus seedlings after two and a half days in the Deno bag. There seeds were nicked and hydrated for 12 hours in hand-hot water. The seeds are the result of a cross between Hibiscus Moy Grande (pollen) and Hibiscus Lord Baltimore (pod). This the second batch of this cross, germinated using a layer of parchment paper and I have not observed any tendency for the root hairs to stick to the parchment paper. Thanks to the kitchen paper towels the parchment paper remains hydrated and able to deliver water to the seeds. Hibiscus seeds have a tendency to easily role on parchment paper so be carful to work on a flat surface. I have not tested this technique on small seeds as yet. When you hydrate the kitchen paper towels, remember that you are not doing a TV commercial, you don’t want the paper sopping wet.

Mike