Can you grow houseplants from seeds?
Growing and propagating houseplants from seeds can optimally result in stronger and healthier growth. They are adapted to your home’s specific conditions like humidity and light from the start. This is called Stratification. Oxygen. Some seeds require direct light or sunlight to germinate but it is rare. Other seeds may require smoke or fire to germinate.A plant grow light does the same thing and is a great choice for starting seeds. These fluorescent lights should be suspended about 6 to 8 inches above the seedlings and raised accordingly as the plants grow. Be sure to dust the bulbs monthly as the accumulated dust interferes with emitting light.Most houseplant seeds don’t require much light, if any, to germinate. The best thing to do is to keep them in a bright spot away from any direct sunlight, or under grow lights.The BIG 3 when it comes to seed germination are moisture, oxygen (this is why a good seed starting soil is ideal) and temperature. A common misconception is that light is also needed for germination, but it’s actually not true.
What’s the best way to start seeds indoors?
Fill your chosen container with dirt, place your seed into the center and cover with a light layer of soil. Gently sprinkle with water and add a covering over the pot such as plastic wrap. The plastic wrap acts as a greenhouse, keeping the soil moist and warm until the seed sprouts. To implement this method, position your seedling trays directly above containers filled with warm water. The heat from the water will rise, creating a gentle and consistent warmth for the soil in the seedling trays.A germination mat should be on or warm all the time — no need to use a timer. Remove the seedlings from bottom heat as soon as most of the seeds sprout. Once leaves emerge, seedlings prefer slightly cooler temperatures to harden off and may actually get leggy and weak by remaining on the germination mat.For a natural and cost-effective alternative to traditional seedling heat mats, consider utilizing heated water reservoirs. By placing seedling trays above containers of warm water, you can create a radiant heat source that mimics the nurturing conditions required for successful germination.
How long to soak seeds before planting indoors?
If you plan to soak seeds, wait until a day or so before you plan to plant them indoors or outdoors. The seeds should not remain in water for more than 8-12 hours. Before you get carried away and submerge all your seeds, examine the seeds and read the planting instructions on the package. Some are quick to germinate, taking 1-2 weeks at most, such as chillies, beans, sunflowers and pumpkins. Some seeds take more like 2-4 weeks, such as mango and parsley. Others, depending on how warm/cold it is, take closer to 2 months, for example avocado.The warmer the environment, the faster the germination. The best average temperature to grow your plants is 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F). Usually, it takes around 1 to 2 weeks to germinate. Some plants (for instance mini tomato, chili pepper and rosemary) may take up to 3 weeks.Different seeds take different lengths of time to germinate, so it is always worth checking how long it typically takes. Some are quick to germinate, taking 1-2 weeks at most, such as chillies, beans, sunflowers and pumpkins. Some seeds take more like 2-4 weeks, such as mango and parsley.
How long do seeds take to grow indoors?
Generally you can get a wider range of varieties of plants available in seed form, so learning to start them indoors is a good idea. It may take anywhere from six to eight weeks for the seedlings to be ready to harden off (more on that later) and germinating time might be up to two weeks, though many are much faster. You only need to fill your non-draining container with enough water to submerge all seeds, though some will try to float on the surface. Cover your non-draining container with a lid, cheesecloth, napkin, or washcloth. Leave overnight, or about 12 hours.Drying out—even briefly—can stop growth. If you’re direct sowing seeds (planting them outdoors), water at least once a day. In hot, dry, or windy climates, you may need to water 2–3 times daily to keep the soil from drying out.Spread the seeds out over the area so they don’t touch. Let the seeds rest for a week to ten days before gently stirring them with your finger or a small spoon. Let them dry for another two to three weeks. At this point, they should be dry enough to put into storage.