Light is not necessary for a seed to germinate, no. The majority of seeds grow most effectively in the dark. Light, which is essential for seedling growth, may actually hinder the germination process. The three primary and necessary conditions for a seed to germinate are water, oxygen, and temperature.
Not all seeds have the same light requirements. Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007).
Most of the seeds germinate best in dark environments. The presence of light tends to inhibit their growth. The light decomposes carbonic acid gas and expels oxygen which leads the seed to harden. These gases are key factors that promote germination.
Most seeds can germinate in darkness or light (one exception is lettuce, which needs light) but once the seeds have sprouted, keep the lights on about 12-16 hours per day.
All seeds need water, oxygen, and proper temperature in order to germinate. Some seeds require proper light also. Some germinate better in full light while others require darkness to germinate.
Cloddy and compacted soils that are high in clay will inhibit seed germination and emergence. Soils with a lot of plant residue in the top four inches and soils that form a crust when dry may also prevent effective germination and emergence. Seeds need air and moisture to germinate.
Bioactive gibberellins (GAs) promote seed germination in a number of plant species. In dicots, such as tomato and Arabidopsis, de novo GA biosynthesis after seed imbibition is essential for germination. Light is a crucial environmental cue determining seed germination in some species.
Until seeds have sprouted, keep the seed bed moist, never allowing it to dry out. Water with a fine-spray hose nozzle or watering can which will provide a fine misty spray and not wash away the soil. Water often enough (usually about once a day) so that the soil surface never dries out, but remains constantly moist.
The majority of seeds grow most effectively in the dark. Light, which is essential for seedling growth, may actually hinder the germination process. The three primary and necessary conditions for a seed to germinate are water, oxygen, and temperature. Thus, Light is not necessary for a seed to germinate.
Seeds need to be moderately moist to sprout. Seed germination is highly dependent on watering. Too dry and they won't get the message to sprout, too wet and they will rot in the dirt.
The light slows stem elongation through hormones that are sent down the stem from the tip of the stem. In the darkness, the hormones do not slow stem elongation. The seeds in the dark-grown condition rely upon the stored chemical energy within their cells (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates) to power their growth.
Most seeds will not germinate without sunlight and will perform best with 12 to 16 hours each day. Indoors, place seed containers in a sunny, south-facing window and give the container a quarter turn each day to prevent the seedlings from overreaching toward the light and developing weak, elongated stems.
All seeds will be viable for one to two years. After two or three years, germination rates will drop for many types of seeds and will eventually fall to zero. So, stocking up on seeds for an “emergency” isn't a good idea because they don't last forever.
Small seeded plants that form soil seed banks for instance, are expected to germinate only in the presence of light, as a mechanism to avoid germinating too deep in the soil where they would deplete seed nutrients before reaching light for photosynthesis (Pons 2000).
Some seeds like Allium 'Purple Sensation' and Eryngium giganteum need a long period of cold-moist stratification with alternating temperatures. These are the most difficult seeds to germinate.
Once dormancy is broken, seeds may germinate within 3-12 weeks. Seeds with delayed breaking of dormancy generally take 3-8 months to germinate. Seeds usually germinate within 2-6 weeks at 75-85F. Variable, some seeds sprout within 1-3 weeks, others take much longer.
One of the most popular ways to germinate seeds is the paper towel method.
Can you overwater seeds? Yes, it's possible to overwater seeds, which can cause them to be washed away from where they're planted or encourage the growth of mold, alage, or fungi, or cause rot. Avoid overwatering by planting seeds exactly as deep as the instructions specify.
ANSWER: Seeds that are planted too deep in the soil may grow into weak, feeble seedlings or fail to germinate at all. If it's been buried too far under the surface of the soil, the seed may not get the light it requires to sprout.
Almost all seeds can be pre-soaked, but it is large seeds, seeds with thick coats and wrinkled seeds that will benefit most. Small seeds benefit less and are difficult to handle when wet. Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans.
Soaking your seeds in hot water held to a specific temperature will also break down the seed coating. But this one is a double-edged sword. Soaking seeds in hot water will help speed up germination but can come at the cost of lower germination rates.
Germination depends on several environmental factors, e.g., water, oxygen, temperature, and often light and nitrate as well. Of these, water is the most essential factor.
Temperature affects germination in three primary ways: moisture, hormone production, and enzyme activity. For seeds to germinate, they need to imbibe water. For this to occur, sufficient moisture must be present. A warmer climate may increase evaporation and decrease moisture, which would negatively affect germination.