Seeds - by Mary Vaananen - Back to Other Stuff

Seed-Planting How-To
Dampen the germination medium before putting it in the tray or container. Fill a large plastic plant pot with dry medium and water it thoroughly. Let it sit for about 10 minutes for excess water to drain from the bottom holes. Fill your germination container to within the top half-inch with medium. The seed should be scattered as uniformly as possible across the top of the soil, or sown in rows at the rate of 10-20 seeds per square inch. If seeds are large, or very small, sow them according to package instructions. Again, instructions for seeding depth are included on the packet. If you sow too many seeds too closely together, their competition will result in spindly growth. Larger seeds should have a thin layer of medium blanketing them. Most seeds will germinate in either light or darkness, with temperature and moisture as the key components. A few kinds of seeds require light to germinate, and a few require darkness. Special germination requirements will be stated on seed packets. A layer of newspaper will provide sufficient darkness for those seeds requiring the absence of light.

Temperature Is Important For Germination Of Seeds
Temperature requirements for germination of seeds will vary depending upon the plant, but most seeds will germinate within the 70-80° range. (Check the packet for specifics.) Maintain a constant moisture level and relative humidity of nearly 100%. You can do this in several ways. Frequent hand watering will provide adequate moisture, but winter home humidity levels are usually fairly low. The medium will dry out fairly quickly, keeping you extremely busy. Once seeds begin to germinate, they can't be allowed to dry out, or they will die. So it is best to cover your container with clear plastic. Plastic wrap will do the trick, or place the container in a plastic bag, and seal it up. Do not put the sealed tray in direct sunlight, as intense heat will damage the seeds. As soon as seedlings begin to emerge, open the plastic covering. Gradually, over the course of a week, remove the bag or plastic entirely. Good air circulation is important in keeping seedlings healthy and disease-free.

Light Requirements For New Seedlings
After seeds have germinated, plants need a maximum of light for optimum growth, either natural or from fluorescent lamps. If you have a south-facing window, put seed trays as close to the window as possible, without it being too cool. If using fluorescent light, four 40-watt fluorescent bulbs will provide sufficient light for a 2' by 4' area. Lamps should be placed 6-12 inches above the plants, and left on for at least 18 hours per day.

Transplanting Your Growing Seedlings
Within a few weeks after germination, the seedlings are ready for transplanting to larger containers. When lifting the seedlings from the tray, grasp them by their leaves and not their stems. Seedlings should be set in the new containers so that the growing point is just above soil level. The new containers should provide enough growing room for the plants until they are ready to be planted into the garden. A similar growing medium should be used in the larger pots, and again, a maximum amount of light should be supplied. Daytime temperatures (or when lamp-lit) should be in the 60-75 degree range, 50-65 degrees during nighttime hours. Water enough to keep the growing medium damp.

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