How Seeds Germinate Early Under Proper Conditions

Problems sometimes develop causing failure to germinate, or the seedlings die promptly or grow poorly. What can go wrong? Any one of several unfavorable conditions can lead to poor seed germination. These include: old seeds, improperly stored seeds, disease, planting too deeply, improper moisture levels, improper temperature, and poor light after germination.

First, get good, fresh seeds. The cost of seeds is a small portion of the total cost of gardening when we consider out time and effort. Fresh seeds of good varieties not only improve germination but insure a better harvest. Probably the most common problem associated with seed germination is disease. The fungus disease called "damping-off" is particularly destructive. It may kill seedlings before they emerge or cause them to fall over and die shortly after they have germinated. Chemical control of this disease is difficult, so the best approach is cleanliness.

Use a sterilized growing material as well as clean pots, flats and tools. To sterilize a seeding mix, make it moist and then heat in the oven. The mass should be heated through to at least 160 degrees. A meat or candy thermometer may be helpful for determining the temperature in the center of the mass if a soil thermometer is not available.

Planting seeds too deeply is another cause for poor germination. Seeds should not be planted more than four times their thickness, and indoors, shallower planting is quite satisfactory. Very small seeds need not be covered at all. When seeds are not covered with the seeding medium, the flat of pot must be tightly covered with glass or plastic to keep the surface uniformly moist until the seeds have germinated and become established.

If the seeding material is too wet or too dry, seeds may also germinate poorly or not at all. Overly wet conditions promote disease, and drying during germination easily kills the small partially developed plants. For proper moisture content, place the pot or flat in a tray or water after sowing the seeds. Allow it to absorb water until the surface is wet. Remove, and allow the pot or flat to drain. Then cover it or slip it into a large plastic bag. No further watering should be necessary until some time after the seeds have germinated and the plastic has been removed.

Proper temperature during germination is also important. With only a few exceptions, most of our garden plants germinate best at temperatures close to 70 degrees. Temperatures too cool can delay and reduce germination. Remember, however, that although higher temperatures stimulate germination, seedlings become leggy and thin if maintained at these high temperatures.

As soon as germination is well under way, the pot or flat of seedlings should be moved to a cooler location with bright light. Plants such as cabbage, lettuce and broccoli, which may be started now, must have cool temperatures if quality plants are to be produced. Move them where night temperatures run close to 60 degrees or less. Day temperature may be about 10 degrees higher.

http://www.backyardgardener.com/tm.html