When buying seeds from trusted manufacturers, you can find information on the packaging that the germination rate is about 96%. But is this true?
Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at how to check seed germination and in what situations it is really necessary.
Why is germination indicated as 95 to 99%
No manufacturer can guarantee that all seeds from the package will start to germinate. Most summer residents cannot achieve even 85% germination. But is the manufacturer to blame for this? Seed germination depends on many factors. And manufacturers indicate ideal conditions for growing. Therefore, real germination should be determined individually, based on soil characteristics and other factors.
When to check germination
If the seed package has just been purchased and there are no questions to the manufacturer, there is no particular point in checking the germination. Of course, you can spend your time and improve the results, but it is much more important to perform the procedure when it is really necessary. We can recall several situations when it is necessary to check the germination of seeds.
Stored for several years
Every summer resident has seeds that are left over from last year. The amount of leftovers only increases every year, so it is worth paying attention to the details. You can remember several seeds with a long shelf life.
- Cucumbers, zucchini, watermelons and pumpkins can be stored for about 8 years.
- Cabbage seeds up to 6 years.
- Tomato and eggplant seeds 5 years.
If we consider parsley, onions, celery and others, then it is not worth trying to store them for more than one year.
The seeds are collected by hand
If seeds are collected manually on your plot, then the germination rate should definitely be checked. If this is not done, the germination rate can be about 20%, and this will lead to serious consequences. Even if the seeds are collected from tested materials, it is better not to ignore such a procedure.
Someone donated planting material
It is not uncommon for someone to share planting material. It is better to double-check it and disinfect it to avoid possible negative consequences.
The seeds were purchased in large quantities.
Sometimes planting material is bought in large quantities to save a little. The decision may seem logical, but why is there a discount on seeds? They may expire or other problems may appear, so it is better to protect yourself a little.
Germination of seeds
Germination of seeds can be called one of the easiest ways. It is necessary to perform several actions.
- Take a saucer or other suitable container.
- Take toilet paper, a cotton pad or a paper towel and wet it a little.
- Seeds are laid out on the surface.
- The planting material is covered with the same napkin.
It is recommended to use about 20 seeds to get a fairly accurate germination result.
Trial sowing
A dozen seeds are selected and sown in the soil. The method is quite effective, but creating ideal conditions for seed germination will not be so easy.
It is better to sow seeds in the soil from your own plot. To speed up germination a little, the container should be covered with film and placed in a warm place.
