Q&A for How to Germinate Seeds

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Why do my seedlings grow so tall before green starts to show?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 53
Question

How deep do I transplant seedlings?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 20
Question

Why don't dry seeds germinate?

Community Answer

Germination requires heat and moisture.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 16 Helpful 34
Question

What are unique ways to help seeds germinate?

Harvey

Community Answer

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 14
Question

Why do shallower seeds germinate more quickly than those buried more deeply?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 8
Question

Can I sow the seeds in the ground?

Community Answer

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 14
Question

How do plants reproduce?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 11
Question

What if my seeds don't grow when I plant them from the start?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 8
Question

How do I check old seeds to see if they will germinate?

Community Answer

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 29 Helpful 13
Question

If my seeds sink, are they viable?

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 19 Helpful 5
Question

How deep does an average plant need to be?

Community Answer

Between a half-inch and an inch.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
Question

How do I germinate an avocado pit?

Community Answer

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0