A fine-textured seedbed and good seed-to-soil contact are necessary for optimal germination. … Most
seeds germinate best under dark conditions
and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007).
Do sunflower seeds need light to germinate?
Sunflower seeds do not require light for germination
. However, when grown indoors in pots, the plastic wrap is removed at the first sign of germination and the uncovered pots are placed in bright, indirect light.
Do sunflower seeds need darkness to germinate?
Sunflower seeds do not need light to germinate
, but you should provide overhead lights for seedlings after they emerge when growing indoors. … Sunflower seeds should be planted at a depth of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 centimeters).
What seeds require darkness to germinate?
- Calendula.
- Centaurea.
- Delphinium.
- Gazania.
- Nemesia.
- Primula sinensis.
- Schizanthus.
Why are my sunflower seeds not germinating?
Seeds will
not germinate if there is not enough moisture in the soil and air
. Consider a cloche for this purpose. Third, make sure that the soil has enough air circulation. … Sunflower seeds do not need light to germinate, but you should provide overhead lights for seedlings after they emerge when growing indoors.
Why do seeds germinate better in the dark?
Normally, the light form decays to the dark form after a few HOURS, but it is converted back again after a few MINUTES in the light. So, a seed on
the soil surface gets enough light to keep the dark form of phytochrome low
for sufficient time to prevent germination initiation.
What is the fastest way to germinate seeds?
One easy way to make seeds germinate faster is
to presoak them for 24 hours in a shallow container filled with hot tap water
. Water will penetrate the seed coat and cause the embryos inside to plump up. Don’t soak them for longer than 24 hours because they could rot. Plant the seeds immediately in moist soil.
Do vegetable seeds germinate better in the dark?
There are several seeds that germinate best when they are
exposed to light
. If these seeds are covered in soil, chances are they will remain dormant and not sprout until conditions improve.
Do seeds need air to germinate?
Oxygen
.
Seeds need oxygen
so that they can produce energy for germination and growth. The embryo gets energy by breaking down its food stores. Like all organisms, this is done through a process known as aerobic respiration.
Do you need to cover seeds to germinate?
To speed germination,
cover the pots with plastic wrap or a plastic dome that fits over the seed-starting tray
. This helps keep the seeds moist before they germinate. When you see the first signs of green, remove the cover.
What month is best to plant sunflower seeds?
Plant sunflowers in
late spring
, once the ground is nice and warm. Most sunflowers germinate when soil has reached 70 to 85 degrees F. The best time to plant sunflowers is just before the soil reaches this temperature. Look for a ground temp of between 60 to 70 degrees.
How do you speed up the germination of sunflower seeds?
You can
soak your sunflower seeds
before planting to encourage faster germination. Put them in clean water and let them sit for up to 24 hours before planting. However, this is not required – as long as the growing medium is moist and warm, the sunflower seeds should germinate well.
How do I make sunflower seeds germinate faster?
You can
soak your sunflower seeds
before planting to encourage faster germination. Put them in clean water and let them sit for up to 24 hours before planting. However, this is not required – as long as the growing medium is moist and warm, the sunflower seeds should germinate well.
Should you start seeds in the dark?
Some seeds need complete darkness to germinate and others require light to germinate. 1 Proper planting depth is usually provided on the seed packet. If there is no information on the packet, the rule of thumb is to plant seeds two to three times as
deep
as they are wide.
Why do seeds fail to germinate?
The primary reasons for failed germination are:
Seeds get eaten
– mice, voles, birds, and wireworms all eat seeds. … Seeds need specific conditions to germinate – temperature and moisture can be difficult to control beneath the soil, and are easily affected by weather, human error, and other factors.
Does seed grow in dark?
Seeds will not germinate so well in light as in darkness
; because light decomposes the carbonic acid gas, expels the oxygen, and fixes the carbon; thus hardening all the parts of the seed, and preventing vegetation.
