Seeds Archives - gardenmyths.com

The Secret Seed Hormone that Controls Germination

Have you ever wondered why some seeds sprout instantly, while others need weeks of cold stratification, or maybe just refuse to germinate at all? What about when you cut open a ripe tomato and find little sprouts already growing inside? Why does that happen?

Well, the secret behind all this behavior boils down to one powerful chemical compound: Abscisic Acid, or ABA. Think of ABA as the seed’s internal timing mechanism. Today, we’re diving into how this hormone acts as a powerful brake, and crucially, how you can release that brake to get faster, healthier germination.

tomato slice with germinating seeds. — Vivipary in tomatoes, Source: J. Copes

Key Takeaways

The hormone ABA stops seeds from germinating.
Various seed pre-treatments reduce ABA levels, allowing germination to happen.

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Do Lettuce Seeds Need Light to Germinate?

A lot of specialty seeds need light to germinate, but it never occurred to me that vegetable seeds might need light until a couple of months ago, when I read that lettuce needs light. I have always covered my lettuce seed, and it germinated just fine. How can that be if they need light?

How much light do they need? Does a thin covering of soil allow enough light to reach them?

I decided to do some tests to figure things out, and that just made the picture murkier. Here are my test results and information from a number of scientific studies. The answer is not what you think.

guy planting lettuce seedlings — Planting lettuce seedlings, source: Depositphotos

Key Takeaways

Lettuce seeds can germinate in the dark.
The light requirement for germination depends on the cultivar.

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Myths About F1 Hybrid Seeds – Are They Sterile?

There seems to be a lot of confusion about F1 hybrid seeds. Here is the truth about some common myths.

Oversized tomato leaning agaisnt a white car — Giant F1 Tomato Hybrid, Depositphotos

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What is Seed Stratification?

Some seed is difficult to germinate unless you stratify them. If you do that correctly, you can germinate just about any seed with ease. I’ve germinated over 2,000 different types of seed and many needed a cold stratification period before they would germinate. In this stratification guide I’ll tell you everything you need to know about germinating seeds.

3 seedlings just poking above the soil line — Seeds that have been properly stratified, source: Chris Penny

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Germinating Seeds Quickly: Complete Guide

Starting seeds is one the most exciting and enjoyable parts of gardening and you can do it in winter. Each seed pack contains little miracles that in your hands will develop into beautiful mature plants, provided you follow the simple steps outlined in this post.

I have personally germinated over 2,000 different varieties of plants using the methods in this guide. It is much easier than you think and the tricks and procedures detailed here will work for vegetables, flowers and even trees. Grab those seed packs and let’s get started.

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It’s Seed Starting Time

I know it is still snowing, but this is perfect weather for winter sowing. It is also a good idea to look at your seeds and figure out which are still viable using my simple seed test. You should also start getting your equipment ready. Is this the year you order new LED lights?

Below are some excellent videos that answer many of the questions you have about starting seeds including my most popular video about using the baggy method for seed starting which now has 1.2 million views!

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Best Seed Starting Mix, Including DIY

You work very hard to grow the very best seedlings you can. So start them off right and give them best seedling mix you can. I have grown over 2,000 varieties of plants from seed and wrote the book Soil Science for Gardeners. In this post I review the best commercial and DIY seed starting mixes and give you my opinion on starting your babies off right.

Two hands potting up a tomato seedling — Use the right seed starting mix

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Seed Dormancy – What is it and How do You Break it?

In my previous post, Plant Seed Basics, I described the germination process in very general terms. A seed lands on the ground, absorbs water, and germinates. It is all so simple – or is it? In this post I will have a closer look at something called seed dormancy. What causes it and how do you overcome it so the seed germinates.

Seed dormancy, Germinating Fritillaria seed, by Robert Pavlis — Seed dormancy – germinating Fritillaria seed, by Robert Pavlis. Notice the radicle growing through the seed and emerging from the bottom of the seed.

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When Do You Fertilize Seedlings?

When do you start fertilizing seedlings? The most common advice is that newly germinated seedlings do not need to be fertilized because they get initial nutrients from the seed and the soil/media. If that is true, why does the horticulture industry start fertilizing as soon as they seed? Do they know something gardeners don’t?

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Floating Seeds in Water – Is This a Good Seed Viability Test?

How do you know if your seeds are still viable? Simple, do a seed germination test. Place the seeds in some water. The ones that sink are still viable – the ones that float are dead.

This advice is all over the internet so it must work? But how reliable is it?

Floating Seeds in Water - Is this a Good Seed Viability Test? — Floating Seeds in Water – Is this a Good Seed Viability Test?; source: Pens & Pencils

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When To Start Seeds Indoors – Includes a Chart

One of the most frequently asked questions from new gardeners is, when should I start my seed indoors? It all seems so complicated with many different types of seeds, both vegetables and flowers. This post will simplify the answer for you.

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Growing Seeds in Ice Cream Cones – Great Idea or Ultimate Stupidity?

You have probably seen the memes showing you how to grow seeds in ice cream cones. There are lots of pictures on the internet, especially in places like Pinterest, showing nicely grown seedlings like the one pictured below.

The whole idea did not make sense to me, but who knows, maybe it’s a good idea and I’m just jealous that I didn’t think of it first.

I had to try it!

Growing Seeds in Ice Cream Cones - Great Idea or Ultimate Stupidity? — Growing Seeds in Ice Cream Cones – Great Idea or Ultimate Stupidity? Source: Sarah Neuburger

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