Do portulaca seeds need sunlight?
Do portulaca like sun or shade? Portulaca plant needs full sun to produce flowers. Too little light will result in a leggy growth habit and fewer blooms that won’t stay open. Portulaca is normally grown outside in the heat and sun and it thrives but it can be grown as a houseplant as well, especially winterizing. Portulaca does best in full sun or bright direct light and very well-draining soil, mix sand with potting soil mix for better drainage.Overwintering. Portulaca are annuals that grow, flower, and set seed in only one growing season. They do not survive frosts. If you allow your portulaca to set seed, you may see new seedlings emerge the following spring.Another easy to grow succulent, you can plant portulaca in containers and sometimes watch the foliage disappear. It doesn’t go away but is covered by prolific blooms so foliage is not visible. The saucer-shaped, tiny, rose-like blooms rise slightly above the greenery.Portulaca is a genus of annual plants in the Portulacaceae family. It has succulent leaves and colorful, showy flowers, growing well in containers. It can be grown as a houseplant as well. This plant does best in full sun or bright direct light and very well-drained soil.How to Plant Portulaca. For a jump on the growing season, start portulaca seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last spring frost. Sow them 1/8-inch deep in seed starting mix. Keep them moist and in a spot that stays around 70 to 75 degrees F.
Can seeds germinate without sunlight?
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. Determining the optimal height and duration for grow lights can depend on the specific plants and the type of light you’re using. However, a general guideline is to offer most plants 12-16 hours of light daily to simulate a natural light cycle.The minimum amount of light is 10 hours. Generally, seedlings need 14 to 16 hours. You can get into the scientific amounts and test it down to the optimal hours and minutes – and some studies do just this. Keep a close eye and see if they seem to be stretching.Most seeds need a minimum of 14-16 hours of light per day to germinate and grow. Shop lights are a great option because they can be left on for long periods of time without generating too much heat but just enough for the plant needs.
Is it better to germinate seeds in soil or paper towel?
It depends on the seed. I start most seeds in seed starter, but a few like cleome, dahlia, Teddy Bear sunflowers I have found have a better germination rate in a wet paper towel. I put them in the paper towel, put that in a baggy and put it on a heat mat. Once they germinate I put them in seed starter. 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.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.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.Sow seeds thinly and evenly and cover with 1/8 inch of fine soil. Firm soil lightly with your hand, water and keep evenly moist. Seedlings will emerge in 10-14 days.Planting seeds is also a great way to grow specific varieties. March is a great time to start seedlings indoors. Generally, start planting seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last frost date.
Can I grow plants indoors without sunlight?
Plants require this energy to grow, bloom and produce seed. Without adequate light, carbohydrates cannot be manufactured, the energy reserves are depleted and plants die. Don’t confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. All seedlings require sunlight. Seedlings will become leggy and fragile and will not produce to their potential if they do not have sufficient light.But as we know, LEDs, like those available for home lighting, come in more neutral white colors that will also work for seed starting. You can even buy led tube lights that will fit in your shop light ballast and require less energy.Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e. Phacelia and Allium spp. However, some species (e. Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007). Don’t confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. All seedlings require sunlight.