Planting too shallow may result in poor germination due to low soil moisture retention near the soil surface or seed injury due to insects or disease. Similarly, if placement is too deep, seed may have delayed germination due to lower soil temperatures or result in poor germination or seed injury.
The seed is a living embryo that contains enough energy to germinate and break the surface of the soil. If planted too deeply, the seed will run out of energy and die before it breaks the surface. Once it breaks the surface, it produces the energy to grow through photosynthesis.
When seeds are planted too deep, plants have poor growth, poor emergence, low vigor, and low crop stand. There is also a tendency to have more weeds than crop.
Good seed depth--1.5 to 2.0 inches or even deeper--is recommended in dry conditions to ensure good moisture availability for successful seed germination.
Leggy seedlings in case of insufficient light, the stem of your seedling will extend itself. to search for more light. So take a fork, gently put out your seedling, take a deeper container with drainage oils, add some fresh soil, rebuilt your seedling deeper, add some fresh soil up to the top, and voila!
Leggy seedlings are a common problem when starting seeds in late winter and early spring. The good news is that these spindly plants can often recover and become lush green crops.
Seedlings need to be watered once a day, but that rule isn't written in stone. Depending on the growing conditions, some seedlings need a light spritz twice a day while others are fine being watered every other day. Overwatering, however, is just as detrimental to seedling health as lack of water.
Wildflower seeds don't need to be planted in holes; however, they should be tapped down to encourage growth. After you've scattered them over the soil, use the back of a shovel, your hand, or your foot to gently press them into the ground.
Zinnias need some light to germinate so if you plant them too deep you won't get any sprouts.
Planting too deeply
Deep planting causes bark deterioration at the soil line, which can eventually kill the plant. It usually takes a few seasons for a tree or shrub to die from this. Therefore, residents typically do not associate the decline of a tree with how it was planted.
A good rule of thumb for planting depth is to plant seeds as deep as 3-4x their width. For large seeds like some beans, which might measure ½” across, this could be as deep as 2", while for the tiniest of seeds like carrots, or turnips, this might mean just 1/4"-1/2" deep!!
When a garden design includes these we are pedantic about planting at exactly the right depth (with soil around but not over the rootball) and use mulch that does not swamp them. The problem is that too much soil over a rootball stops air reaching the roots which suffocates the plants.
Planting seeds too deep places extra demands on this energy reserve, as they need to expend more energy pushing through the soil to reach the surface. This can result in weaker seedlings that may struggle to develop into healthy plants. Another challenge is the difficulty in accessing crucial nutrients and water.
While the speed of germination varies slightly across varieties, seeds should absorb moisture within two days and produce a root and the first leaf within four days. At this point, the seed is considered to have germinated.
Planting too deep results in those feeder roots smothering due to lack of oxygen which can lead to deterioration of the bark at the soil line and also kill the tree.
Whether you're a novice gardener or a plant-growing expert, you're likely accustomed to placing seeds under a light layer of soil to grow. It's common to adopt this same mentality to your lawn, but will grass seed germinate on top of soil? The answer is yes.
Chaos gardening is a gardening technique that involves tossing seeds and seeing what happens. “Chaos gardening is all about breaking the rules of traditional gardening. It's about letting plants grow however they want, without symmetry or strict order,” says meadow designer Kori Kasper.
If you covered the seed with a hefty layer of soil they just might be planted too deep and can't find their way to the surface. I suggest resowing, but try this. Wet the soil in the pot. Next, rough it up using a small hand rake, or even your fingers, making fairly shallow furrows in the soil.
Once seeds sprout, do not miss a watering. Unlike established plants, seedlings do not have an extensive root system they can rely on for vital moisture. At the same time, it is important not to overwater and let seedlings sit in water. Seedlings are delicate creatures.
When watering grass seedlings, gradually increase your morning watering sessions over time, while decreasing your evening watering. Eventually, you'll want to water between 6 and 10 am, while the weather is still cool.
Seedlings are most likely to become tall and weak when they are planted in the wrong conditions. Inadequate light is the main cause, as the plant stretches in an effort to find the sun. But overwatering, improper nutrition, indoor climates, and overcrowding can all increase the chances of legginess.
It will depend on the extent of the damage and the plant's natural growth rate. In some cases, full recovery may not be possible. To facilitate the recovery process, it's crucial to provide consistent and appropriate care, including adequate watering, proper lighting, and any necessary pruning.
Cause: If a batch of otherwise healthy seedlings fall over and wither seemingly overnight, they are likely victims of damping-off, a fungal disease that attacks stems at the soil surface and is usually deadly. Excess moisture or nutrients create conditions that promote damping-off.