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Taping seeds to space out.

I want to tape my own seeds (not buy expensive seeds already spaced on tape). What would the best tape be to do this? I have thought this type would serve but not sure if the roots when they start growing will penetrate the paper. Advice welcome.
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  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Why bother with any sort of tape, just sow them the old fashioned, cheapest and best way?
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  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
    I have used Toilet paper in the past, it worked fine. I made a thickish glue with flour and water put tiny amounts on the paper at the spacing intervals you want, popped in a seed let it dry then use the “tape” as and when ready to sow. 
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • punkdoc said:
    Why bother with any sort of tape, just sow them the old fashioned, cheapest and best way?

    I'm thinking of the tinier seeds direct in drills. With bigger hands I'm a bit clumsy.
  • I have used Toilet paper in the past, it worked fine. I made a thickish glue with flour and water put tiny amounts on the paper at the spacing intervals you want, popped in a seed let it dry then use the “tape” as and when ready to sow. 

    Do you think the seed will start to germinate if damp?

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    For tiny seeds, put a quantity of them in your palm, then cup your hand slightly so that they fall into the main crease in your palm. Then tilt your hand, so that the end of that crease is in line with where you want to sow - ie your drill. Tap the edge of your palm, and the seed will naturally fall, quite gently, from the crease into the drill, and then just draw your hand along the drill until they're all gone.  :)
    There's probably a video of the method somewhere online - Youtube etc.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



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  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I seem to remember one method suggested was to mix tiny seed with fine sand but I'm not sure I ever tried it.
    I'd agree with @Fairygirl 's suggestion - just make sure you don't have a sneezing fit whilst sowing tho  - it can disrupt matters somewhat ;)
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    There's a method to sow seeds using an icing bag or a syringe. 

    First you make a sort of 'gravy' as below, when cool add the seeds in what density you need, give it a good stir. Then pipe the solution into where you want to sow the seeds.
    • "Luckily it is easy to make your own fluid sowing medium using cornflour which is easily and cheaply available. Take 100 grams of cornflour (corn starch) and mix to a paste with a little water. Once smooth, add more water up to a litre ensuring there are no lumps. Next, heat gently, stirring continuously until it thickens. Leave to cool and then add your seeds and mix well.
    • Do check the temperature before adding the seeds – you don’t want to cook them!"

    There was an old fashioned way years ago using wall paper paste, but I don't think you can get the paste anymore without added fungicide. Obvs fungicide will slow or stop any germination.



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  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    I have used the method that Philippa mentions and it worked fine. The added bonus being you can see where you have scattered the mix on the darker compost.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Great suggestions thanks. perhaps I'm being too fussy getting them exactly apart say carrots at 2cm! Maybe he sand idea although I gues there's the cost of hort sand.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It doesn't have to be 'posh' sand.  :)
    However, if you're sowing in straight lines - in drills or not, you would be sowing as sparingly as possible [with whatever method you try] and then thinning out your carrots as they grow. You wouldn't be trying to space out individual seeds.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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