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Step 7: How to plant
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Use the damp paper towel method to start your seedlings.
Why are my seeds not germinating?
Take a few sheets of paper towel and dampen them with water. Make sure the paper towel is damp but not soaking wet.
Place the seeds on one half of the paper towel, leaving some space between each seed.
Fold the other half of the paper towel over the seeds to cover them completely.
Put the paper towel with the seeds in a plastic bag or container with a lid.
Place the bag or container in a warm, dark spot, like a closet or a kitchen cabinet.
Check the seeds daily and make sure the paper towel remains damp. If it starts to dry out, spray it with water.
After a few days, you should start to see the seeds sprouting.
Once the seeds have sprouted, carefully transfer them to rockwool or grow media you are using and put a few drops of water on top so the roots do not dry out.
Video #1
Having trouble with seeds not germinating? This video is designed to address the common challenges faced when seeds fail to germinate. We explore the reasons behind poor germination and provide effective techniques to boost your germination success.
Video #2
Tricks and techniques to prime the seeds that are tricky to germinate.
1) Seeds did not receive enough moisture to trigger germination process.
2)Too much moisture and not enough oxygen
How to Prime Your Seeds
If even after all this you are still having trouble germinating your seeds we've got some tricks up our sleeves to help prime those stubborn seeds and encourage healthy germination.
Whether you're dealing with spinach, cilantro, peppers, or other tricky varieties, these tips will help you get those seeds sprouting in no time.
Once they start to grow, we'll show you how to give them the perfect growing conditions to keep them thriving.
Say goodbye to failed seedlings and hello to successful germination with these expert tips!
There are several tricks you can try to help prime seeds that are tougher to get germinated like spinach, cilantro, and peppers:
Want to go back to the HUB?
If you've ever found yourself frustrated by seeds that just won't sprout, you're not alone.
Germination can be a tricky process, and there are several factors that can affect whether or not your seeds will successfully grow into healthy plants.
But don't worry, we're here to help!
By understanding the factors that affect seed germination and learning how to optimize your growing conditions, you'll be on your way to growing strong and healthy plants in no time!
So, let's dive in and discover the top four reasons why seeds may not germinate.
Now, when it comes to planting your seeds, there are a couple of things you want to keep in mind to make sure your green babies thrive.
Firstly, you want to plant 2-3 seeds per cup.
Why, you ask? Well, by planting multiple seeds, you increase your chances of at least one of them germinating.
Secondly, and equally important, you want to be gentle with your seeds. Don't push them into the rockwool or grow media, as this will cause them to suffocate and turn into mold instead of growing into happy, healthy plants. Just place them on top and add a few drops of water to trigger the germination process.
Depending on the variety of seed you're working with, you can expect to see some sprouts within 2-7 days.
If a seed is too dry and does not receive enough moisture, it can affect its ability to germinate.
When a seed is dry, the outer seed coat can become hardened, making it difficult for water to penetrate and initiate the germination process.
Seeds need to absorb water to begin the germination process. When a dry seed is exposed to moisture, it absorbs water and begins to swell.
This triggers a series of metabolic processes within the seed that break down stored nutrients and activate enzymes needed for growth.
However, if the seed is too dry, it may not be able to absorb enough water to begin these processes.
In addition, if a seed is too dry for too long, it can become damaged and lose its viability.
This means that even if the seed does eventually receive enough moisture to begin the germination process, it may not be able to sprout and grow into a healthy plant.
Therefore, it's important to make sure that seeds are stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark place until you are ready to plant them. When it's time to plant, make sure to provide enough moisture to initiate the germination process and give your seeds the best chance for success.
When seeds are planted in the Eden Tower, they are placed in a growing medium such as rockwool or hemp, possibly others.
These media are designed to hold moisture and provide support for the seeds as they germinate and grow.
If the grow media is over-saturated with water, it can create an anaerobic environment in which there is not enough oxygen for the seeds to grow properly.
In this case, the water can essentially drown the seeds and prevent them from accessing the oxygen they need to germinate.
Oxygen is required for the respiration of the plant tissues and for the activation of enzymes involved in germination.
If there is insufficient oxygen in the hydroponic system, the seeds may not be able to germinate or may fail to grow properly. This can happen for several reasons, including poor aeration of the nutrient solution, lack of air circulation around the seeds, and over-saturation of the grow media.
This method can be especially helpful for seeds that are slow to germinate or have hard seed coats. By priming them with the damp paper towel method, you can help to soften the seed coat and encourage germination.
By trying these tricks, you can increase your chances of successfully germinating tougher seeds like spinach, cilantro, and peppers.
Remember to be patient and persistent, as some seeds may take longer to germinate than others.
Happy planting!
3) Temperature
Temperature is a crucial factor for seed germination in hydroponic systems, just as it is in traditional soil-based planting.
Seeds have a specific temperature range at which they will germinate, and if the water temperature in your hydroponic system is too low or too high, it can inhibit seed germination and slow plant growth
The ideal temperature range for seed germination varies depending on the type of seed you are planting, but most seeds prefer a temperature range of between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius).
If the water temperature in your hydroponic system is too far outside of this range, the seeds may not be able to germinate at all.
Maintaining the proper temperature range for seed germination is essential to achieving optimal plant growth and yield.
You can help ensure that your seeds have the best possible chance of germinating and growing into healthy, productive plants
4)Old or Improperly stored seeds
Old or improperly stored seeds can really put a damper on your gardening dreams.
The genetic material inside the seed deteriorates over time, reducing its ability to support the growth of a new plant.
This means fewer seeds will germinate, leading to a lower overall germination rate. And even if an old seed does manage to germinate, the resulting plant may be weak and less able to grow to its full potential. Not to mention, old seeds can also be more vulnerable to disease and pest damage.
Its protective outer coating may become thinner and more brittle, making it easier for pathogens and insects to attack the seed and prevent germination.
But fear! We are going to share some storing seed trips that will prolong your seeds life.
Proper seed storage is crucial to maintain the viability and vigor of your seeds. Here are some tips on how to store seeds at home:
Keep seeds in a cool and dry place: Moisture and heat can cause the seeds to deteriorate and lose their viability. So, store them in a cool and dry place, like a basement, root cellar, or refrigerator. And don't forget to keep them in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or plastic bag, to prevent moisture from getting in.
Label and date the seeds: It's always a good idea to label each container with the name of the plant species and the date of collection or purchase. This will help you keep track of the age of the seeds and know when to replace them.
Keep seeds in the dark: Light can also cause seeds to lose their viability. So, store the seeds in a dark place or in an opaque container to prevent exposure to light.
Store seeds at a consistent temperature: Fluctuations in temperature can also affect the viability of seeds. Keep the seeds at a consistent temperature, preferably between 32-41°F (0-5°C), to ensure their longevity.
Keep seeds away from pests: Seeds can be attractive to pests such as rodents and insects. So, store the seeds in a container that is sealed tightly to prevent pests from getting in.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your seeds remain viable and healthy for longer periods, increasing your chances of successful germination and healthy plant growth. So go ahead, plant those seeds with confidence!
Soak the seeds: Soaking seeds before planting can help soften their outer coating, making it easier for them to germinate. You can soak the seeds in water for a few hours or overnight before planting. Make sure to drain off the excess water before planting to prevent mold or fungal growth.
Scarify the seeds: Some seeds have a hard outer coating that can prevent water from penetrating and inhibiting germination. Scarifying the seeds by gently rubbing them with sandpaper or nicking them with a knife can help break the coating and encourage germination.
Stratify the seeds: Some varieties of strawberries, peppers and cucumber, require a period of cold stratification to break their dormancy and encourage germination. You can mimic this process by placing the seeds in a plastic bag with some damp paper towels and leaving them in the fridge for a few weeks before planting.
