Why does some seed germination paper have aqua lines?
July 11, 2022 5:20 PM Subscribe
I am doing an artist in residence at a veterinary school, and I utilized their mosquito ovipositioning paper used to hatch mosquito eggs for epidemiology research as a substrate for a mosquito painting. It turns out this paper is repurposed 15x10" tan seed germination crepe paper, and it has broken aqua lines. I'm really curious - why the lines, and why the line placements? Are they an artifact of the production process, or are they added for germination aid of some sort?
From googling, not all seed germination paper comes with aqua lines or lines of any sort.
Here are some image results of similar paper. Of the paper here, it comes in two configurations - there is one type with 2 lines 1" and 1.25" in from the vertical sides, and a second type with 1 line either 4" or 6" in vertically depending on the way you're looking at it. I have asked the researchers here, and their investigation is how we figured out it's seed germination paper. I have called one of the paper manufacturers, but so far neither of the people I actually reached knew, though I also have left a voicemail so we'll see if that lead pans out but it's been days, so...
From googling, not all seed germination paper comes with aqua lines or lines of any sort.
Here are some image results of similar paper. Of the paper here, it comes in two configurations - there is one type with 2 lines 1" and 1.25" in from the vertical sides, and a second type with 1 line either 4" or 6" in vertically depending on the way you're looking at it. I have asked the researchers here, and their investigation is how we figured out it's seed germination paper. I have called one of the paper manufacturers, but so far neither of the people I actually reached knew, though I also have left a voicemail so we'll see if that lead pans out but it's been days, so...
I cannot be helpful at this time and please feel free to delete this non-helpfulness but "mosquito ovipositioning paper" is the best thing to use ever.
posted by away for regrooving at 11:09 PM on July 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by away for regrooving at 11:09 PM on July 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
I just love a good mystery!! After some very intense Google research, I have three theories:
1. The lines are to test speed of germination and/or length of root/plant growth. Seeds are placed in a parallel line some distance from the blue line, which acts as a control point to measure either (1) the time it takes a root to reach the line, or (2) the distance of root/plant growth past the line.
2. The lines are to make it easier to count roots. One website sold blue seed paper, which it said was to contrast with very fine white roots. Again in this scenario, the line acts as a controlled point at which roots can be counted in a standard way across samples.
3. The lines are to help someone fold the paper accordion-style. Some seed paper is sold pre-folded this way so the seeds can be dropped into the little troughs. This could explain why the lines aren’t placed in the middle of the page or at the same distance from the edges, as each version provides at least two potential accordion fold depths.
Your painting is beautiful, and I love how you incorporated the lines into the piece!
posted by a.steele at 4:20 AM on July 12, 2022 [4 favorites]
1. The lines are to test speed of germination and/or length of root/plant growth. Seeds are placed in a parallel line some distance from the blue line, which acts as a control point to measure either (1) the time it takes a root to reach the line, or (2) the distance of root/plant growth past the line.
2. The lines are to make it easier to count roots. One website sold blue seed paper, which it said was to contrast with very fine white roots. Again in this scenario, the line acts as a controlled point at which roots can be counted in a standard way across samples.
3. The lines are to help someone fold the paper accordion-style. Some seed paper is sold pre-folded this way so the seeds can be dropped into the little troughs. This could explain why the lines aren’t placed in the middle of the page or at the same distance from the edges, as each version provides at least two potential accordion fold depths.
Your painting is beautiful, and I love how you incorporated the lines into the piece!
posted by a.steele at 4:20 AM on July 12, 2022 [4 favorites]
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Also your mosquito paintings are stunning and I love them.
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 8:29 PM on July 11, 2022 [5 favorites]