How to Germinate Tomato Seeds Using a Paper Towel

Before you germinate tomato seeds, you must know the basic steps. First, you need a sprayed plastic zip lock bag. Then, roll up a paper towel, put it inside, seal it, and place it near a heat source. Next, wait for a few days and see if the seeds germinate. If they do, move to the next step. In the meantime, prepare the other tools and materials needed to germinate tomato seeds.
80% germination rate

Approximately 80% of tomato seeds will germinate when you plant them on paper towel. The paper towel needs to be damp but not soggy. The seedlings must not touch the towel’s surface or each other. Carefully place them onto the paper towel, avoiding touching their roots. You may use a wooden coffee stirrer or popsicle stick to hold them in place. Care must be taken not to damage the leaves. Hold the leaves of the seedling only with tweezers.

Once the seeds germinate on the paper towel, you will need to keep them in a warm spot to continue the germination process. The top of the refrigerator or a cabinet underneath the kitchen sink are great locations. Check them daily, and if they are not germinating, add a little more water. The germination process will typically take between five to ten days.
Optimal conditions

There are a few ideal conditions for seed germination. The first is consistent moisture. If you have the seeds in water, they may not germinate in time. If you use paper towels, it can take two days or longer to germinate. Optimal conditions are 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the paper towel moist will ensure better germination. You can also place the seed bag on top of the refrigerator.

Another important factor is air humidity. Seeds need a constant humidity of around 60 percent, which prevents them from drying out. Too dry air can cause the seeds to rot. Too humid air can lead to damping off, which is a disease caused by pathogens. It is more common when soil is moist and the temperature is cooler. Avoid extreme temperatures or a drafty area.
Handling

You can use a paper towel to germinate tomato seeds. While this method is not ideal for hard shelled fruit tree seeds, it can work well for more tender seeds, such as wildflowers and tomato. Once the seedlings start to sprout and grow, it is time to transplant the seedlings. Using a paper towel is also a fun way to get kids involved in gardening. The paper towel will be degraded once the plant is in the soil, so be sure to carefully fold it.

Depending on the variety of tomato, you may need to pre-soak the seed. This will soften the seed coat and increase the chance of successful seed germination. Alternatively, you may want to try scarifying the seeds before planting them. This technique involves scratching the seed coat with sandpaper and soaking it in water. While scarifying works well for some types of seeds, it is not necessary for tomato seeds.
Glassware

Tomato seeds need a warm environment in order to germinate. You can use a paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Before planting them, remove the gelatinous sheath from the seeds and place them in a clean glass jar. Cover the jar tightly with a lid and keep it in an area with a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After a few days, you can plant them.

To germinate your tomatoes, you can use a wet paper towel. Use a moist paper towel and space them evenly. You can also use a coffee filter. After moisturizing the towel, spread the seeds out on it, leaving at least one square inch between each. After a few hours, remove the paper towel and check for mold. Although this isn’t a big deal, the seeds can die if they’re exposed to it.
Humidity

After you have purchased tomato seeds, you can start your new crop by testing the humidity of your paper towel by placing 10 seeds from the batch of seeds that you are planning to grow. You can also use a clear sandwich bag, which will stabilize the relative humidity around the seeds. The humidity of your paper towel should be at least 68%, which is the ideal level for germination. After you have germination success, you can transfer the seeds to a container.

The humidity of your paper towel will influence the germination of tomato seeds. When the humidity level is too high, your paper towel will dry out and mold or rot. To improve the humidity of your paper towel, place it in a warm area, but out of direct sunlight. After about a week, check the paper towel for successful germination. If there are signs of damage or mold, discard the seeds.
Testing

To test tomato seeds, wet a paper towel with water. Place 100 seeds randomly on the towel. Weaken the seed if it is light, discolored, or has cracks. Next, fold the paper towel over the seeds and place the whole thing in an airtight container. Do not remove the seeds from the paper towel. Afterward, close the container and let it dry completely. Weigh the results.

Then, moisten the paper towel with water using a spray bottle. Fold the paper towel over the seeds and place it in a plastic bag. Label it with the variety, date, and location. It should germinate in a few days to a few weeks. The time varies from plant to plant. For example, tomatoes sprout in four to six days, cucumbers in five days, and onions in six. Asparagus, however, takes about 10 days. If the seeds have been dormant for more than a week, you need to treat them with an appropriate method to promote germination.