How do I start watermelon seeds using water, napkins, and a light?

Question

I remember doing this years ago as a child. Lately, I've been having trouble starting seeds indoors early in a potting kit. Can I start watermelon seeds in a wet napkin? Do I keep it constantly wet? Do I heat it with a light? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Actually, just stick your seeds in a folded up paper towel and wet the paper towel and leave it at room temperature. There is no need to sticke them under a light quite yet. Keep the paper towel moist but not soaking wet all the time. After a few days to a week the seeds should start sprouting. Then you can plant them in some seed trays or small paper cups. Once the seeds start emerging from the potting soil then stick the plants under a light. A flourescent workshop light will work. Leave the light on for about a half day each day and keep the plants watered and they should take off just fine.

You have to remember that watermellon seeds normally sprout in the ground. That ground temperature even in the summer won't hardly ever get above what room temperature is in your house. So ground temperature will never be as hot as the seeds in a napkin under a light. If you try putting them under a light you'll probably kinda fry them.

Answer 2

To get the seed started, keep the towel damp... you don't actually need the light until you transplant the seedling to a pot... The seed itself contains the nutrients for the seed to spout.

So keep in a warm place and shady/dark place is fine.

Answer 3

dont you just wet the napkin, put the seeds in the seeds in the nampkin, and put it on the windowsill