Starting plants from seeds

Department of Horticultural Science Horticulture Information Leaflet 8703 1/99 STARTING PLANTS FROM SEEDS Erv Evans, Extension Associate, Horticultural Science Frank A. Blazich, Professor, Horticultural Science Growing your own transplants from seeds indoors can give you a head start on the growing season. In some cases it may be the only way to obtain plants of a new or special cultivar (variety) that is not widely available through garden centers. To obtain vigorous plants, start with high quality seed from a reliable source. Select culti vars which provide the plant size, color (flower, foliage, or fruit), and growth habit you want. Choose cultivars adapted to your area. Many vegetable and flower cultivars are hybrids. They may cost more than open pollinated types, but they usually have more vigor, more uniformity, and better growth than nonhybrids. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. Purchase only enough seed for 1 year’s use, since germination decreases with age. The seed packet label usually indicates essential information about the cultivar, the year in which the seeds were packaged, the germination percentage, and whether the seeds have received any chemical treatment. If seeds are obtained well ahead of the actual sowing date (or are surplus seeds), store them in a cool, dry place. Laminated foil packages help ensure dry storage. Paper packets are best kept in tightly sealed containers and maintained around 40°F in low humidity. A good storage location would be in an air tight jar or a sealed, zip-lock bag in the refrigerator. Some gardeners save seed from their own gardens, but these may not produce plants similar to the parents; this is especially true of hybrids. Germination Germination is the resumption of active embryo growth after a dormant period. Three conditions must be satisfied in order fora seed to germinate: • The seed must be viable (the embryo must be alive and capable of germination). • Internal conditions of the seed must be favorable for germination, that is, any physical, chemical, or physiological barriers to germination must have disappeared or must have been removed by the propagator. • The seed must be subjected to appropriate environmental conditions, including water (moisture), proper temperature, oxygen, and for some species, light (see Table 1). North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGEOFAGRICULTURE&LIFESCIENCES