Jiffy disks: the best solution for seed germination

October 10, 2023

Scritto da: Gsi Team

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Jiffy are pressed peat disks that are used for the germination of seeds, facilitating their sprout.

Germinating seeds is the first phase of the life cycle of every plant species, but also the most important. Growing a plant from seed requires commitment, patience and a certain amount of expertise.

But what does a seed need to be able to sprout and germinate? The key elements are:

Temperature between 18-25°C;
Humidity approximately 70-90%;
Absence of light.

And, of course, water in adequate quantities. As the seed begins to absorb water, the tiny curling root inside begins to grow rapidly. The outer shell of the seed breaks and when it opens some tissue comes out, i.e. a small root.

This tiny root is essential for the survival of the seedling, it is in fact the source of the supply of nutrients that the sprout needs to grow healthy and strong.

To germinate seeds there are various techniques, all more or less effective. Jiffy biodegradable peat pads are among the best methods for germination, because they offer the seed the ideal environment to germinate, also making the next step, transplanting, easier.

Follow our guide on peat jiffy discs carefully and find out how to use them . The success of your cultivation will be guaranteed. Keep reading.

Peat disks by Jiffy: how to use them

The peat discs produced by the Jiffy group are ideal for the germination of seeds but also for the propagation of cuttings and clones .

Made of very pure, freeze-dried and pressed peat, Jiffy are biodegradable and have a dry unit of measurement of approximately 4 cm (wet they can reach up to 5 cm).

The advantage of these disks is that they can grow any type of plant that needs to be planted in the ground or in a larger pot in a greenhouse, seedbed and/or nursery, avoiding transplant shock .

Jiffy guarantee plants excellent breathability and uniform humidity. Furthermore, their friable composition does not damage the root structure of the plants, thus ensuring a high percentage of germination of the planted seeds.

If you are thinking of opting for germination with peat disks, here's how to use them:

Immerse the Jiffy pads in a high-sided airtight container with a solution of warm water and root stimulator;
Leave the discs to inflate for about 30 minutes: they must reach at least 5-6 times their initial volume;
Drain them and squeeze them to remove all excess water;
Insert the seed or cutting into the top of the Jiffy and push it down to 4-5 mm below the surface of the substrate;
Place the disks inside a mini greenhouse, possibly heated, and close it with the appropriate lid.

Temperature and humidity are two fundamental parameters for seed germination. Our advice is to use a heating mat or a heating cable with a thermostat to create the right climatic conditions.

What to do when the seeds have sprouted?

When the sprout opens and comes out of the Jiffy you will have to place the disk on the ground or in a pot with good fertilized soil. After a few days, the disk should melt, freeing the roots.

In the very early stages of seed germination, light is not necessary. However, when the sprout has emerged from the disk it is essential to illuminate the cultivation area with a cultivation lamp with a blue or white light spectrum (preferably neon) and a heat temperature of around 9500°K.

This video explains how to germinate the seeds of the certified legal cannabis variety "Eletta Campana" with Jiffy germination supports in a simple and practical way.

The Most Common Germination Disc Mistakes

Often, despite efforts and commitment, it may happen that seeds fail to germinate as desired. This happens because major mistakes have been made in the cultivation and in the usage of the peat disks.

Here is everything you absolutely need to know to germinate successfully and avoid any mistakes that compromise your cultivation:

Avoid using peat disks for DIY germination: always buy quality and certified products;
Do not plant seeds that are too old: read the expiry date on the package, seeds that have expired a long time in fact have a very low germination success rate;
The climate must not be too hot/cold: keep temperature and humidity constant at 18/24°C and 70-90% respectively. Read the back of the package to check the ideal thermo-hygrometric parameters for the seeds to be planted;
Don't neglect the needs of the seed: some need special treatments such as being soaked for a certain time before being planted. Remember to use water at room temperature to activate the disks;
Never insert multiple seeds into the same Jiffy disk: the dimensions of the pad are reduced to accommodate more than one seed each, rather plant more seeds using multiple disks, if they all germinate you will be able to choose the best plants to grow.

Finally, you need to be patient. Some seeds can start to germinate after just 24 hours, while others require a few more days.

Plant the seedlings as soon as the first leaves appear, you won't have to wait days.

Otherwise the stem of the young shoot will stretch "stretching", with the risk of breaking on itself.

At this stage it is necessary to keep the germination substrate moist, but not excessively wet, otherwise the sprout could rot.

From Seed to Sprout: seed germination with Jiffy disks

For better germination with Jiffy disks it is necessary to have specific equipment that does not compromise the seed hatching process. Our advice in these cases is to purchase the following products:

Seeds;
Peat disks for germination;
Mini Greenhouse;
Growth lamp at 9500°K;
Nebulizer.

Purchasing Jiffy seeds and disks is definitely the first step. To facilitate germination, there are certain stimuli capable of accelerating and facilitating the hatching of the seed such as Plagron's Seedbooster Plus.

However, you will also need a Mini Greenhouse. The latter is essential to create the optimal humidity and temperature conditions for successful germination.

Although it is optional, a good lamp with a light spectrum and color temperature suitable for growth is certainly the best choice you could make for your grow.

Finally, the nebulizer, the essential tool to continue watering the shoots with the solution containing the root stimulator.