Seed-starting media needs to drain well enough to meet this need for oxygen. As germination proceeds, respiration increases and more oxygen is needed. Viable (live) seeds actively respire, releasing carbon dioxide and consuming oxygen. Remove plastic bags as the seeds germinate and seedlings emerge. Keep the humidity high around germinating seeds by covering pots or flats with a clear humidity dome or enclosing plants in clear plastic bags. Covering seeds with a thin layer of vermiculite or peat moss helps ensure good seed-to-media contact and helps prevent the embryo from drying out. Misting seeds with a mist nozzle or a hand-held spray bottle provides light, even, gentle moisture without disrupting seeds. Adequate, continuous moisture is essential to germination. The amount of water is critical too much water causes seeds to rot, and too little water causes embryos to die. Without water, seeds will remain dormant. Water is critical for the first step in germination. Germination is heavily influenced by four environmental factors, including water, oxygen, light, and temperature. It starts with imbibition, or the absorption of water. Germination is the process of the embryo emerging from the seed. Seed packages can be retained as part of garden records for future reference (Figure 3). Additionally, the packet typically indicates how far apart to space seeds within a row, the depth for sowing the seeds, days to germination, and instructions for thinning seedlings. Look for seeds packed for the current season. Look for the year the seeds were packed, usually printed or stamped on the envelope (will appear as "sell by" or "grown for"). Examples of typical seed packages.Ĭommercial seed packages include a lot of helpful information. A low-humidity environment at 40 degrees F is best for seed storage, such as the crisper drawer of a refrigerator.įigure 3. Seeds in paper packages are best stored in containers that can be sealed tightly. Seed can be stored from year to year, but germination percentage and seedling vigor will decline with age and improper storage conditions. It is best to purchase only enough seed for use in the current season. Choose varieties suitable for your area that will reach maturity before frost, survive heat, and tolerate present growing conditions. Many varieties will even be resistant to certain diseases. Seed can be purchased for a wide variety of plants and characteristics, such as color, size, and growth habit. Make the best plant selection for the existing growing conditions by researching the many varieties available. Quality seed is true to cultivar/variety name, and does not contain contaminants, such as weed seed, insect casings, soil particles, or plant pulp. Start with good quality seed from a reliable dealer. Mature seeds will germinate when exposed to favorable conditions. The outer seed coat protects the seed, while the cotyledons or seed leaves provide a food source during germination. Therefore, if you desire the features of the hybrid plant, purchase and plant new seed each year. If you save the seeds of hybrid plants, the resulting plants may have some similarities to the hybrid parents, but appearance and growth is usually different. Hybrid seed may cost more than open-pollinated types. These hybrids often have characteristics that make them a unique or superior plant, such as increased vigor, disease resistance, flavor, flower color, or uniform growth. Seeds referred to as "F1 hybrids" are the result of controlled, known crosses of plants that produce the same results each time. Just like people, seeds produce plants that resemble the parent but are genetically different. They may appear to look like the parent plant, but they actually have minor differences that are referred to as "variability." Seeds described as "open pollinated" result from random pollination that occurs from wind or insect activity. Pollen from male anthers is combined with the egg in the female ovary, and seed is produced. Seed or sexual propagation is dependent upon the genetic combination of male and female parts of the flower and is a result of pollination. The process of growing more plants from seed is known as sexual propagation. Growing plants from seed allows the gardener many choices for the home garden. Additionally, selection of transplants or plant materials available for sale can be limited to just a few varieties. Seeds are relatively inexpensive, allowing the home gardener to get many plants for the price of a few transplants. There are several advantages to propagating plants from seed. A number of plants, particularly vegetables, annuals, and herbs, can be grown from seed.
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