Q&A for How to Germinate Seeds

Inadequate lighting can cause seedlings to grow tall and thin, and even fall over. Try increasing the amount of light your seedlings get.

Most seedlings should be transplanted at the same level they were in the original container. Plant them so that the soil at the surface of the pot is also at the surface after planting.

Germination requires heat and moisture.

Most seeds simply need sunlight, water and air, but several types of plant produce seeds that need to be treated in a specific way. For example, seeds like peas and beans would benefit from soaking. Plants like apple, rose, pear, cherry and persimmon require their seeds to be stratified (kept in cold, winter-like conditions) for a few weeks, while others like potato seeds (not the actual tubers) may need to be lightly treated with gibberellic acid to break their dormancy. Several seeds even require soaking in strong acid for several hours to imitate the passage through an animal’s digestive system.

They germinate more quickly because they don’t have to work as hard to get to the light and air.

Yes you can, but growing seeds in ground is much more difficult than in containers. Growing in a container helps you start seedlings because they can be kept indoors, away from harsh weather conditions.

It depends on the plant. Some produce seeds while others create spores and there are others that rely on pollination.

It could be they need more moisture, light, soil, etc. It also depends on where, how and what seed you are planting.

If you put the seeds in water for 3-12 hours, if any have sunk to the bottom, they are usually not going to germinate. However, there is no definitive way you can tell that a seed will germinate.

Yes. This is a test commonly used to determine viability. Those that float will not likely sprout.

Between a half-inch and an inch.

Eat the fruit and let the seed remain at room temperature overnight. Using the pointed end of the seed as the top, pierce it with 3 toothpicks, evenly spaced, approx, 1-2 inches down from top. Suspend the seed in a glass or similar container filled with water. Change the water every few days. Once it germinates, it can live in the water for a houseplant, or transplant it to grow.