Mother Gorilla

Germination started on Tuesday with 3 seeds using the paper towel method. Super simple and the most effective method that I have found to date. Simply placed the seeds between two sheets of paper towels and sprayed with water. Gently put the paper towels inside a bag and sealed it up around 80% before blowing into it to create a humidity bubble for the seeds. Closed it off quickly to keep as much air in the bag as possible. Placed them in a dark cupboard and waited. ....And 48 hours later they had sprouted. Straight into soil plugs that had been soaked in a Plagron Power Roots solution of 1:1000ml and put under the lights dimmed to 30% power. The height of the lights is about 75 cm or 30inches from the stand (not the seedlings). Light schedule is on 18hrs / 6hrs with an automatic humidifier set to 70% and a small fan to keep the airflow consistent. 24 hours later (Friday evening - start of day 3) - the little seedlings had really found their way towards the light, but they were struggling to get rid of their shells. Sprayed a fine mist over the leaves to soften the shells and removed them gently. Day 4 - The best of the remaining two unnamed seeds were chosen and aptly named "Max" after a famous Gorilla. "Max and "Chong" were repotted into the hydroponics system. Two different systems in order to facilitate an experiment (or rather a friendly bet). One system made from a simple black car wash bucket with a lid and the other from a more expensive brand, specifically designed for hydroponic growth. The substrate used in the netted buckets are clay pebbles. Air pumps have been placed into the bottom of each of the buckets with an air stone. In the black buckets, extra care was taken to try avoid any light entering the holes that were made for the air pump by using tape. The water has a solution of 1:1000ml of Plagron Power Roots solution as well. The seedlings were looking healthy with their first leaves starting to show.