Which vegetable seeds need sunlight to germinate?
Light stimulates or inhibits the germination of some seeds. Some crops, including ageratum, begonia, browallia, impatiens, lettuce, and petunia require light to help them germinate. Others, such as calendula, centaurea, annual phlox, verbena and vinca germinate best in the dark. The majority of seeds in a home garden will germinate with or without exposure to light. All vegetables (with the exception of lettuce, arugula, and celery) fall in this category, which makes it easy if you’re growing a food garden.For example, even though Johnny jump up and corkscrew vine are flowers, they produce larger seeds and therefore germinate in the dark. On the flip side, lettuce and celery are vegetables, and while most vegetables germinate in the dark, these seeds are small and need light to germinate.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.Sunlight supports the germination process by warming the soil. Although uncommon, some seeds need direct contact with sunlight to germinate. Once leaves have sprouted, sunlight is the primary energy source for plant growth through the process of photosynthesis. A seed has everything it needs to begin a new life.
Can a seed germinate without sunlight?
Short answer: Most seeds do not require light or external heat to germinate; they require moisture, oxygen and an appropriate temperature range specific to the species. Light and heat act as environmental cues for some species and can strongly influence timing and success, but are not universally mandatory. Sunlight basics for gardening The amount of sunlight your garden needs depends on the varieties you want to grow. For example, if you’re growing vegetables, your garden needs six to eight hours of sunlight. We recommend focusing on types that work with the amount of natural light your garden receives.Typically, a seedling needs 12 to 18 hours of light each day for optimal growth, but there are many variables. Different types of plant seedlings will require different amounts of light to thrive. The brightness and spectrum of the light can also vary.
What speeds up seed germination?
Pre-Soak Your Seeds Before Planting That is why many seeds take a long time to germinate. You can trick the seed into opening faster by pre-soaking them in water. The goal is to penetrate the outer surface of the shell so that the plant gets the signal that it’s ready to grow. Gently scatter the seeds over the designated areas. Aim for even distribution, but don’t worry about perfect spacing—a slightly denser sprinkle can be thinned out later. After sowing, lightly cover the area with soil and water it to help the seeds settle into the soil. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
Which seeds require darkness to germinate?
Darkness. Some seeds, like snapdragons and lisianthus, require light to germinate, while others, like Chinese-forget-me-nots and bupleurum, need darkness. Light or darkness requirements often correlate with seed size—smaller seeds typically need light, while larger seeds prefer to be buried. For example, even though Johnny jump up and corkscrew vine are flowers, they produce larger seeds and therefore germinate in the dark. On the flip side, lettuce and celery are vegetables, and while most vegetables germinate in the dark, these seeds are small and need light to germinate.