If you’re planning to grow plants from older seeds, testing them before sowing to ensure that they will germinate is essential. This can save you time and effort in the long run and give you a better chance of seed-sowing success.
To test seeds for germination, you’ll only need a few supplies: a paper towel, a plastic bag or container, and some water.
Testing Seeds
Ideally, you want to test your seeds ahead of sowing time, as even the test takes time.
If you are organized, I recommend testing a few weeks before you plant to sow your seeds or even earlier.
What Is The Test?
Testing seeds for viability is a simple process that requires providing the seeds with the best possible conditions for germination. The goal is to determine whether the seeds are viable by encouraging them to germinate quickly.
Wet the paper towel and place it in the plastic container, then add the seeds to the towel. Close the lid of the container to create a warm, humid environment that will encourage germination.
For even better results, you can use a heated seed mat and grow lights to create optimal conditions for germination. Place the plastic container on the seed mat and position the grow lights above it to give the seeds the warmth and light they need to sprout.
By providing seeds with the best possible conditions for germination, you can quickly determine whether they are still viable. This can save you time and effort by only planting seeds that have a good chance of growing into healthy plants.
What To Expect
The germination speed of different seeds varies, so there is no definitive rule for how quickly your seeds should appear. However, by providing the seeds with optimal conditions for germination, you can encourage them to sprout as soon as possible.
Typically, you can expect some action within a week of planting the seeds in ideal conditions. Within two weeks, you should have a good idea of whether the seeds will germinate or not.
Some seeds may sprout much more quickly than this, with germination occurring within a couple of days. This is a good sign that the seeds are healthy and viable.
It’s also essential to observe the germination rate of the seeds. If the rate is poor, it may be a sign that the seeds are past their prime and should be used within the current growing season to ensure the best chance of success. By monitoring the germination rate of your seeds, you can make informed decisions about when and how to plant them for optimal results.
How To Promote Better Germination
Numerous tips and tricks are available to improve seed germination, but not all are effective. In my experience, many of these suggestions don’t seem to make much difference.
For instance, soaking seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing is a commonly recommended technique, but I have never observed any significant improvement in germination rates as a result.
Instead, I have found that using a heated seed mat in combination with a lid or propagator can be very helpful. This creates a warm, humid environment that encourages germination and helps seeds to sprout more quickly.
I have had great success with a DIY milk bottle propagator, as shown above, but a professional propagator can be even more effective.