Start your Hisbiscus Seeds Tips

Seed start tips!

• Cut off the top third of the plastic soda bottle using a sharp knife. Set the top portion of the bottle to the side temporarily, making sure to retain the lid on the bottle.
  
  
• Fill the bottom of the plastic bottle half full with good potting soil.  Dampen the soil with water, ensuring that the soil is moist throughout the bottle. Do not leave any of the potting soil dry.
• Place three or four hibiscus seeds on top of the soil and lightly cover the seeds with wet paper towels.  If desired, shred the paper towels prior to laying them across the seeds to keep the paper towels from being too heavy.
  
  
• Reattach the top and bottom portions of the plastic bottle with the duct tape. Do not remove the lid from the top of the bottle. Place your terrarium in a cool, dark area. Allow the seeds to germinate. Typically the seeds will sprout within a few days.
  
  
• Remove the smaller, weaker plants from the terrarium once the seeds have sprouted. At this point you should discard the top portion of the plastic bottle. Allow the sprouts to continue to grow in the bottom portion of the 2-liter bottle for at least another 3 or 4 weeks so that they can become firmly established and viable plants. Provide the newly established plants with enough water to keep the soil in the plastic bottle moist, but do not over-water the plants. To avoid drowning the plants, use a spray water bottle to add the water to the soil.

I found this idea and think perhaps it is a great idea to add to the above!  This  project makes starting or growing plants a whole lot easier by automatically keeping the soil at just the right moisture level. All you need is a 2 liter bottle and some string. Basically, you cut the bottle in half, and thread some string or yarn through the bottle cap. Then invert the top half into the base and add your plants and soil.
The yarn acts as a wick and the plants will take the water as they need it. Even better for those of us with black thumbs: The clear bottles help you see when the water needs refilling.