Australia's Science Forum

Over the past couple of years our genetic barley experiment hasn’t gone well. The seeds have gone mouldy or not grown at all. Out of 12 seeds we often only get about 4 to grow. I tried different techniques (lid off, lid on, soak seeds before planting) but didn’t seem to make much difference.
So this year we have decided to give genetic peas a go. Has anyone done this? Any tips? How long do they take to germinate and type be determined?
TIA

Done it for years, works well. I use beakers with paper towel around the inside of beaker sawdust, dirt, or vermiculite in the middle. Put seeds between the glass and the paper. Put in a warm spot , not too warm tho'. Dont over water. When they germinate you should get the different colours, as per leaflet. Further on you can put some in a dark cupboard and they green ones will lose their colour. (Not photosynthesise).

Oh, thanks for that. We started it on Monday so I just gave them disposable plastic bowls with seed raising mix in. But the beakers is great because you would be able to see them as soon as they started to sprout. I'll remember that for next year.