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No matter how long you have been sowing seeds and no matter how many seeds you may have sown, the pleasure never diminishes. Each time is just like the first, and just like the last and without doubt just like the next, sowing seeds is a pure unadulterated pleasure.
Whoa, that's enough of that, let's not get too excited. Sorry, but sowing seeds really is so rewarding and once your first seeds germinate you will feel the same!
Fair enough then, let's get on and see how to become all enthusiastic about sowing seeds and seed germination.
Sowing seed is quite straightforward and usually uncomplicated. Many garden ( yard ) plants can be raised easily from seed and with great success.
Ok, where do we start? Well we know ('cause you have read the Plant Life - Seeds, page haven't you?), that a seed is a marvelous package. It is a plant in an embryo form with it's own embryonic shoot, embryonic root, seed leaf/leaves and it's own store of food. And complete with it's own outer protective seed coat. It is already loaded and just waiting for the right conditions to spring into life.
Now, given the right conditions a seed, if viable, will germinate, (spring into life). But what are the right conditions?
Most seeds have the same basic requirements, what is good enough for one type of seed, is usually good enough for another. Very few seeds have special requirements (exact seed sowing details are given for each plant type, where applicable, on the individual plant type pages within this website).
Ok, let's see what these basic requirements for sowing seeds are then...
Now there's a contradiction, free draining and capable of retaining moisture?
What we want is a compost that will allow excess water to drain through it, but also retain enough for the seeds to germinate and enough to supply the emerging seedlings.
Most peat based composts are very good at retaining water, but for sowing seeds they can be to good. This can lead to the compost being far too wet, giving rise to seeds rotting, or emerging seedlings collapsing with damping-off disease. Not really what we want!
So, to avoid rotting seeds and damping-off disease, the compost needs to be modified to make it freer draining.
This is very easily done with the addition of vermiculite, perlite, horticultural sand, horticultural grit or just peat and horticultural sand mixed together.
Each one has it's own best use and this will be detailed on the individual plant propagation pages of this website.
The ratio of compost to additive is usually about three off compost to one off additive.
If just peat and horticultural sand are being mixed together, the ratio is usually one to one. But it all depends on the type of seeds being sown.
Under NO circumstances use ordinary builders sand or grit for sowing seeds. These contain minerals that are toxic to plants. Make sure the sand or grit is of horticultural grade.
Under NO circumstances use ordinary garden soil for sowing seeds in pots, trays or any other containers. Soil carries diseases, which will attack seeds and emerging seedlings. Soil also carries thousands of weed seeds. DO NOT USE SOIL!
However, most indoor plant seeds can be sown at any time throughout the year, as they are sown under controlled conditions, for example in a heated propagator.
The correct sowing times are given on the individual plant propagation pages of this website.
As a rule of thumb, a seed should be sown at a depth equal to its longest side. This is only a rule of thumb, but generally is true for most seeds.
So take care when sowing seed, not to deep, but deep enough. It really is quite easy and when you have sown a few seeds it will become second nature for you to sow seed at the right depth. Honest!
Some seeds need to be left on the surface of the compost to germinate. While others need a light covering of vermiculate or perlite. (Correct seed sowing depth details will be given on the individual plant propagation pages of this website).
can will prevent small seeds from being uncovered or washed to one side of the pot, tray or container.
The compost should be kept just moist at all times. Never let the compost dry out even when the seeds have germinated.
By the same token do not over-water and allow the compost to become water-logged, this will, as already mentioned, have disastrous results.
Correct watering methods will be given on the individual plant propagation pages of this website.
All seeds have a temperature range at which they will germinate. This temperature range is sometimes quite large, however, there is a best temperature range for all seeds.
Above these temperature ranges and the seeds will normally remain dormant. Below these temperature ranges and the seeds will normally germinate very slowly but usually they will just rot.
But there's no need to worry. The best temperature ranges will be given on the individual plant propagation pages of this website.
But, some seeds, such as impatiens do need light to germinate. These should be sown on the surface of the compost.
Seeds needing light to germinate are best covered with a very light covering of vermiculate or perlite after you have sown them on the surface of the compost.
This will retain moisture and at the same time still allow enough light through for the seeds to germinate successfully.
Full details of which seeds require light to germinate are given on the individual plant propagation pages of this website.
However, correct light levels after germination are crucial for emerging and growing seedlings.
To little light and the seedlings become weak and spindly and will not make good plants. That's if they survive!
Direct hot sunlight, on the other hand, will scorch and burn the seedlings with disastrous results.
So be sure to get the light about right for your seedlings.
The best typical level of light to aim for is something similar to the light a north facing windowsill would receive.
If you are growing your seedlings on in a greenhouse or conservatory, which gets lots of sun, make sure you provide enough shading and ventilation.
Misting plants grown in a greenhouse or conservatory is a must. This will raise the humidity level giving the plants ideal growing conditions. Misting also helps flowers to form.
Now you have found out all about sowing seeds, move to Cuttings using the left nav bar, or surf the site for more on plants-free-for-life.
If you want any further information on sowing seeds, or how to propagate and grow any of your favourite garden ( yard ) plants please feel free to contact us
