Pre-Soaking.
This method could be the fastest way to germinate seeds. Place seeds in a shallow container in warm water and leave them for 16 to 24 hours (smaller for 16, bigger for 24). Remember not to expose seeds to temperatures higher than 80°F (26.6°C) and not to pre-soak seeds for more than 24 hours.
The seed coat softens by soaking your seeds in a properly diluted hydrogen peroxide solution, allowing the seeds to absorb more oxygen. This results in increased germination speed. Due to its chemical similarity to water, hydrogen peroxide is one of the safest chemicals you can use in the garden to combat root rot.
There are four environmental factors that affect seed germination: Water, Light, Oxygen, and Heat. Check out these four tips to learn how much of each and when.
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. When a seed is exposed to the proper conditions, water and oxygen are taken in through the seed coat.
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 germinate best when the medium temperature is consistently 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Placing containers in a warm location in the house, such as on top of a radiator or near a heat register, usually works fine.
Soaking will greatly increase your germination rates and the speed of the process. But, after planting, seed care is still important. Make sure you keep the soil moist and the tray warm enough to continue the hard work you put in in the beginning.
By soaking the seed, it enables the new growth from the inside to push through the hard shell and grow. The seeds that could benefit from a good soaking include: corn, pumpkin, beans, chard, beets, and peas. The seeds you shouldn't soak include: carrots, lettuce, radish, celery, turnips, and spinach.
Soaking your seeds in DYC vinegar in most cases speeds up seed germination. The acid in the vinegar helps to break down the seeds outer coating and the vinegar also helps to stop any external pathogens from settling on the seed. Mix 1 teaspoon of DYC vinegar into one cup of water.
Some seeds don't need light to break through their seed casings and sprout. Most seeds germinate best with controlled amounts of UV generation, but there are seeds that germinate in the absence of light. Furthermore, there are plants that get enough just light in highly shady areas of a garden or even in darkness.
High temperatures over 90 can kill the plant inside the seed.
Temperature influences the moisture content, hormone function, and enzyme activity that occurs during seed germination. Warm temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions in seeds and accelerate cell formation for development.
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.
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.
Some seeds need light while other seeds need darkness to germinate. Next time, use a garden dibber or ruler to make sure you've dug to the exact depth. If you've already planted and believe you mismeasured, simply try again with new seeds. The correct planting depth will make a big difference.
Many seeds germinate much quicker in paper towels (versus seeds that are started in soil). The heat, moisture, and controlled conditions inside a plastic baggie help them germinate in only a few days (or less, depending on the seed).
The best temperature to germinate most seeds is about 80°F (27°C). Many commonly-planted garden seeds will germinate in a week or two when the temperature is in an optimal range between approximately 65-85°F (18-29°C). Germination time and temperature varies between seed species and even cultivars.
Critical factors for germination include moisture, oxygen, temperature and light. Seeds from the packet are at 4 – 12% moisture content. To germinate this needs to be increased to 25 to 50%. Select a growing media that has good water holding capacity, adequate drainage and allows good contact with the seed.
Place the seeds in a warm location.
Check the seed packets to understand the ideal soil temperature for each plant. Then place the seed tray in front of a windowsill that receives partial sun, or place the seed kits on a heating mat to maintain an even temperature and light. South-facing windows generally work well.
Water – Consistent moisture allows the seed to swell and start the chemical process beginning the growth. Oxygen – The seeds need oxygen so they can have the energy for growth. Temperature – Warm and cool temperatures speed up and slow down seed growth.
The safest seed soak is to use 1 ounce of 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide in 1 pint of water and let the seeds soak for 2-24 hours, depending on the thickness of the seed coat.
Magnesium is known to help seed germination by strengthening the cell walls, leading to more robust seedlings and a higher survival rate overall. To do so, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt into each seedling hole before planting or 1 cup of Epsom salt per 100 square feet of soil.