GA3

[melager]

Hi Again

I have managed to buy GA3 and bring it into New Zealand which I am thrilled, so am doing some experimenting, is there a usual amount people use on say bulbs and on alpine seeds.

many thanks Mel

[Maggi Young]

I believe, from Kristl W's note on her Gardens North Seeds site,  that one 100mg packet of 90% pure GA-3, is sufficient to treat about 50-100 packets of seed.

Kristl actually posts in this thread -   http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=8436.0  where there is more talk about GA3 dilution

The main point is that only tiny amounts is needed, I reckon.

[Gene Mirro]

I use a "pinch" in about 5 tablespoons of water.  A pinch is equivalent to 23.5 micro-smidgins.   In other words, I am not very careful about the concentration.

But I do the next step very differently from most GA-3 users.  I sow the seeds on top of the mix in a 3.5 inch square pot.  Then I carefully water them in with a fine spray at low pressure.  Then I drip the GA-3 solution onto the mix with an eyedropper.  I usually apply about 36 drops of solution over the entire surface of the mix.  This means that I don't have to go through the business with the filter paper and handling the tiny seeds.

Do not water from the top after you have applied the GA-3.  If you do, it will all wash down into the mix where the seeds can't absorb it.

My method works well on Gentians, Physoplexis, Lewisia, etc.  It doesn't give weak, elongated seedlings if they are properly grown at low temps under lights.

Leftover GA-3 solution can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for a long time.

[melager]

I use a "pinch" in about 5 tablespoons of water.  A pinch is equivalent to 23.5 micro-smidgins.   In other words, I am not very careful about the concentration.

But I do the next step very differently from most GA-3 users.  I sow the seeds on top of the mix in a 3.5 inch square pot.  Then I carefully water them in with a fine spray at low pressure.  Then I drip the GA-3 solution onto the mix with an eyedropper.  I usually apply about 36 drops of solution over the entire surface of the mix.  This means that I don't have to go through the business with the filter paper and handling the tiny seeds.

Do not water from the top after you have applied the GA-3.  If you do, it will all wash down into the mix where the seeds can't absorb it.

My method works well on Gentians, Physoplexis, Lewisia, etc.  It doesn't give weak, elongated seedlings if they are properly grown at low temps under lights.

Leftover GA-3 solution can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for a long time.

thanks Gene, I will give that a go, I am glad you replied to this, I was going to email you to tell you I bought grow lights today just like yours, very pleased, just need to get the husband to build the unit.

Mel

[Gene Mirro]

I hope you didn't spend a lot of money on those lights.  My fixtures are just the cheap workshop lights with ordinary cool white fluorescents in them.  Sometimes I throw a couple of warm white lamps in to get a little different spectrum.

[melager]

I hope you didn't spend a lot of money on those lights.  My fixtures are just the cheap workshop lights with ordinary cool white fluorescents in them.  Sometimes I throw a couple of warm white lamps in to get a little different spectrum.

no there were not expensive with cool white fluorescents grow light.

mel