Tips on How Seeds Germinate & How You Can Make Them

What is Germination? Germination is the term used to describe the sprouting of a plant from a seed or a spore. It occurs when a seed has been planted and watered according to instructions, and it first sprouts a tiny root to anchor it to the soil and access the water. From that point, the seed begins to produce other roots above the soil which become the parts of the plant. How Does Germination Occur? There are four main ingredients needed for a plant to grow: Oxygen – seedlings need oxygen to start their cell metabolism. Once the plant has sprouted leaves, it begins to absorb carbon dioxide through them, and disperse oxygen. Water – seeds are dry and need water to soften the outside sufficiently to allow the seed to put its primary root out into the damp soil. Temperature – all plants have a temperature range in which they can best germinate. Follow the instructions when planting. Light vs. Darkness – most seeds require light, but there are tropical plants which are used to germinating in semi-darkness. Again, you need to check this before planting. How to Plant Seeds to Germinate You can plant seeds directly into the soil, as most vegetable gardeners do, or put them in trays to germinate, and then pick them out and plant them when they are seedlings. What sort of a seed do you have? If it is a flat seed, you need to plant it on its edge. A ‘winged’ seed should be planted with either the wing removed, or the wing part uppermost. If the seed is large, cover it with 3 times its own thickness of soil, smaller seeds are best covered with a sprinkle of soil, and fine seeds are usually scattered on the soil surface. Water the seeds judiciously, just using a fine spray on the finest seeds. How long do Seeds take to Germinate? It depends upon the seed and the conditions in which it is sown. Be patient! Sometimes seeds seem dormant for two to three weeks but then all come up together. Other seeds can take up to 12 weeks to germinate and will come up in a ‘straggly’ fashion. Sometimes, making a ‘mini-greenhouse’ by putting a plastic bag over the pot will bring on germination faster. What can go wrong? Failure to germinate is often down to overwatering, making the soil too sodden and rotting the rnGraeme is writing on behalf of Kings Seeds - Seeds & Vegetable Seeds . Too little water and too much sunlight may dry the soil out and there is nothing for the embryonic root to latch on to. Other problems may be caused by putting the seeds somewhere too hot or too cold. It is important to follow the instructions on the seed packet or in a good gardening book to get the best results.