How to Presoak and Scarify Seeds for Faster Germination
Jul 11, 2021 22:00:05 GMT -5
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Post by Sher on Jul 11, 2021 22:00:05 GMT -5
Shawn asked me to put together some information on the benefits of presoaking seeds for faster germination.
There are good articles all over the net, but I found a couple of articles that do a great job of summarizing and simplifying the processes.
As a general rule of thumb, your seeds will sprout even if you don’t soak your seeds before planting, but with soaking the germination time decreases, and the germination rate increases. Seeds that have a continual flow of moisture to uptake have much higher chances of success. If you’re on a schedule, or the climate only gives you a short window in which to grow – soaking your seeds can make all the difference to getting the most out of your garden.
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Note from Sher: I have found soaking your sponges helps with seeds that are too small or fragile to soak.
Lettuce seeds and herb seeds generally do better without presoaking. Just plant them in a presoaked wet sponge.
Lettuce seeds and herb seeds generally do better without presoaking. Just plant them in a presoaked wet sponge.
What Type Of Seeds Need A Presoak?
Not all seeds are easy to soak. Small seeds in particular can clump together in water and be a nightmare to work with afterward. Larger seeds with thick seed exteriors are ideal for soaking to kickstart the germination process. Others that are wrinkled seeds, like peas, do especially well after soaking. After putting those seeds in water, they’ll plump up and be ready to direct sow.
A short list of seeds that like to soak are peas, beans, pumpkins and other winter squash, chard, beets, sunflower, lupine, fava beans, and cucumbers. Most other medium-to-large vegetable and flower seeds with thick coats benefit from soaking.
www.epicgardening.com/soak-seeds-before-planting/
Not all seeds are easy to soak. Small seeds in particular can clump together in water and be a nightmare to work with afterward. Larger seeds with thick seed exteriors are ideal for soaking to kickstart the germination process. Others that are wrinkled seeds, like peas, do especially well after soaking. After putting those seeds in water, they’ll plump up and be ready to direct sow.
A short list of seeds that like to soak are peas, beans, pumpkins and other winter squash, chard, beets, sunflower, lupine, fava beans, and cucumbers. Most other medium-to-large vegetable and flower seeds with thick coats benefit from soaking.
www.epicgardening.com/soak-seeds-before-planting/
Some hard seeds are especially difficult to germinate consistently, like Swiss chard. I have found that filing through the outer hard woody shell allows water to penetrate the soft woody section so they absorb water more easily and germinate the seeds they contain a lot faster and more uniformly. This process is called scarification. I usually use a nail file or sandpaper.
Seed scarification in nature
Seeds that need scarification adapted to develop a tough, waterproof, and gas-proof seed coat. The seeds lie dormant through winter, where they are subjected to natural forms of scarification. Freezing temperatures cause the outer coating to expand and contract until it is damaged enough for water to get through.
Wind, rain, and the footsteps of humans and animals cause wear and tear that scuffs up the seed coat. Some seeds are naturally scarified by going through the digestive system of birds and other animals that eat them. The seed coats definitely have to be strong to protect the plant embryo until spring.
Seed scarification for the home gardener
For the home gardener, scarification requires a gentle touch. Nick the seed coating with a file, a knife, or lightly rough up the outside with some sandpaper.
Your goal is to barely crack the outer coating, but not damage or crumble the seed within. Another technique is to put your seeds into a jar of gravel; or sand and shake to mimic the natural conditions that would naturally nick the seed coating.
sowrightseeds.com/2021/02/11/what-is-seed-scarification/
Seeds that need scarification adapted to develop a tough, waterproof, and gas-proof seed coat. The seeds lie dormant through winter, where they are subjected to natural forms of scarification. Freezing temperatures cause the outer coating to expand and contract until it is damaged enough for water to get through.
Wind, rain, and the footsteps of humans and animals cause wear and tear that scuffs up the seed coat. Some seeds are naturally scarified by going through the digestive system of birds and other animals that eat them. The seed coats definitely have to be strong to protect the plant embryo until spring.
Seed scarification for the home gardener
For the home gardener, scarification requires a gentle touch. Nick the seed coating with a file, a knife, or lightly rough up the outside with some sandpaper.
Your goal is to barely crack the outer coating, but not damage or crumble the seed within. Another technique is to put your seeds into a jar of gravel; or sand and shake to mimic the natural conditions that would naturally nick the seed coating.
sowrightseeds.com/2021/02/11/what-is-seed-scarification/