What is the best way to start flowers from seeds?
Start seeds in small, individual containers. It’s best to use divided containers with a single seedling per container, rather than filling a larger container with potting mix and sowing many seeds, because the seedlings’ roots will grow into each other and are likely to be injured later during transplanting. While some sunken seeds will germinate and some floating seeds will fail to sprout, there isn’t a strong correlation between buoyancy and viability. Generally larger seeds are better for this test than smaller ones. Therefore, you shouldn’t rely on the sink/float test to determine which to discard and which to plant.In a bowl, cover your seeds with warm water and leave to soak for 6-24 hours. Smaller seeds and those with thinner coats need the shorter time, and larger seeds with thicker coats need the longer period. Some seeds will naturally float, and some will stay below the surface. Do not worry about those that float.
Which seeds should not be soaked before planting?
Only larger seeds with tough exterior coatings should be soaked. Tiny seeds with thin outer shells do not require soaking. Soaking tiny seeds can cause them to clump together, making them almost impossible to sow. For seeds to germinate, you need to keep the growing soil damp but not too wet. Learning how to water seedlings is pivotal for success.In a bowl, cover your seeds with warm water and leave to soak for 6-24 hours. Smaller seeds and those with thinner coats need the shorter time, and larger seeds with thicker coats need the longer period.Seeds need constantly moist soil to sprout—drying out can stop germination. Seedlings need daily watering (sometimes more) until they grow deeper roots. Use the 2-Inch Rule to know when to water as your plants mature.
Do I need to soak flower seeds before planting?
As a general rule of thumb, your seeds will sprout even if you don’t soak your seeds before planting, but with soaking the germination time decreases, and the germination rate increases. Seeds that have a continual flow of moisture to uptake have much higher chances of success. As a general rule of thumb, your seeds will sprout even if you don’t soak them. But with soaking, the germination time decreases and the germination rate increases. Seeds that have a continual flow of moisture have much higher chances of success.Any seed that has a hard outer shell can benefit from soaking first. Some that immediately come to mind are okra, asparagus, fennel, dill, nasturtium, and moringa. You can make a list of what you intend to plant and google whether each needs soaking first.
Is it better to germinate seeds in soil or paper towel?
Germinate seeds faster The paper towel method creates prime conditions for seeds to germinate in less time. Depending on the type of seed, the controlled moisture and heat conditions within the bag can enable seeds to germinate in a few days. You’ll have a home or garden filled with bright new leaves in no time! Wait at least 8 hours, but 24 is even better, but make sure to keep it moist the whole time. You can do this with larger seeds, but for really large seeds, I worry that the paper towel is not enough to soak it, and I prefer to soak them in a bowl, before putting them on paper towel.