It is very disappointing when germination rates in the garden are low, but by avoiding mistakes, seeds can germinate. However, gardeners may also encounter the problem of no seedlings appearing at all. Therefore, in such cases, they have to find out why the sown seeds do not germinate. Fortunately, it is often quite easy to pinpoint the causes and errors. Additionally, there are a number of simple steps you can take to solve the problem, whatever it may be. Here is some useful information and gardening tips to help you.
This is how seeds can germinate
The first thing you need to do is think about problems in the environment as well as the soil. Such factors are often the most likely cause of poor germination. The various environmental factors are important because you should first determine how healthy your future plant growth will be. The three key factors for the successful germination of common plants are the amount of water, the oxygen content and theSoil pHas well as the weather conditions and temperatures.
If the water is not enough for the seeds
In order to germinate your seeds, you usually need proper watering. As seeds mature, they can dry out quickly. In order to germinate successfully, the ripening seeds must absorb a corresponding amount of water. Only when they have absorbed enough water can cellular metabolic processes and plant growth take place normally. As the seeds in the garden soil absorb the water, hydrolytic enzymes begin the process of converting stored food resources into chemicals necessary for germination processes.
Seeds also often need water to help the shell of each seed dissolve and allow the seedling to emerge. So if you have poor germination rates, it may be because you haven't provided enough water for these processes to take place. However, dry garden soil in containers or in planting areas such as beds is fairly easy to identify with regular inspection. Therefore, water the seedlings with enough water, being careful not to wash away your seeds or push them too deeply into the growing medium. This will ensure that your seeds can germinate in time.
Avoid excessive watering
Generally, the goal is to provide enough water to irrigate the seeds. However, you should not soak them. Of course, the amount of water you need depends on the type of seed you want to germinate. Additionally, overwatering is a major cause of poor, patchy, or non-existent germination. Overwatering can lead to waterlogging and compaction, which is related to the following point. Garden soil that is too wet can also cause you to have problems with damping. If you overwatered, you may be able to restore things by allowing the seed growing medium to dry out a bit. Unfortunately, if overwatering has led to any of the other problems described below, it may be too late to save the seeds. In this case you may have to start over.
Seeds don't get enough oxygen
A germinating seed requires oxygen for metabolism until the process of photosynthesis begins. Before a seedling's leaves develop, it derives most of its energy from aerobic respiration. In addition, the oxygen requirement is linked to the water requirement. Coatings of certain seeds must therefore be broken down before they can absorb water and oxygen from the environment. Both too little and too much water can result in seeds not getting enough oxygen to germinate. Problems can arise underwater because the seed has not broken down its coating. Excessive watering may accordingly have resulted in the soil becoming waterlogged and compacted, with compaction making it difficult for oxygen to pass through.
Another mistake may have resulted in the seeds not getting the oxygen they needed. You may have buried your seeds too deeply. In this case, it's best to check the seed packet, gardening books or online to see at what depth seeds should be planted. Then if you think that was the mistake you made, you can try again. You may also have chosen the wrong growing medium for the seeds you want to grow. This could also cause problems as the seeds won't get the oxygen (or water) they need to germinate. Make sure you know what type of growing medium is required and replace the container if you made the wrong decision last time.
Do not allow seeds to germinate at temperatures that are too low
Consider investing in some LED grow lights if your home is too cool to start seeds. Some of the most common problems with seed germination revolve around temperature. This has an influence on cell metabolism and growth rates. Seeds generally germinate within a certain temperature range. Outside this temperature range they do not germinate at all, and at the ends of the temperature range germination rates can be significantly reduced. Many common garden plants germinate effectively at about the average room temperature in heated homes (15-23 degrees Celsius.). However, a wide temperature range is required.
Some seeds germinate at temperatures just above freezing, and some when the soil is surprisingly cool, and others only when the soil has warmed significantly. Some seeds require a cold period (vernalization) to break dormancy. Meanwhile, others germinate only in response to an abrupt change in temperature (like that which marks the change of seasons). Additionally, successful cultivation depends on what role temperature plays for the seeds you want to grow. Problems with temperatures that are too low usually occur when seeds are sown directly outdoors. You may have simply planted your seeds too early. Or the temperatures have experienced a sudden and unexpected drop at night. In a cool or cold temperate climate, late frosts can also be a problem if sowing early.
How to solve the low temperature problem
To avoid the mistakes described above, you may want to start seeds indoors before transplanting them to their final growing positions once the weather (and soil) warms up. If they have a short growing season, it may be important to start seeds early. Not only can you consider sowing seeds indoors, but you can also consider creating a warm frame or cold frame in which to sow your seeds. If you want to germinate your seeds, you can protect young seedlings with a greenhouse, polytunnel, or row cover. The ground warms faster under one of these structures. This could make it easier to reach the temperatures required for germination.
Do not allow the seeds to germinate at temperatures that are too high
If you start your seeds indoors or in mid-summer in a warmer climate, you may have the opposite problem. Many seeds do not germinate at temperatures above 30-35 degrees Celsius. If they have experienced temperatures close to those in your home or garden, this may be the reason for poor or non-existent germination. If you are sowing indoors, you can check to see if there are heat sources near your growing area that could cause such a problem. Sometimes extreme temperature fluctuations can lead to this. For example, your seeds may be too close to a radiator, stove, or oven that goes on and off.
If your greenhouse or polytunnel gets too hot, make sure you open the structure to create adequate ventilation. If sowing during a very hot summer, you should try to provide more shade to reduce temperatures. Additionally, make sure the soil is mulched to reduce evaporation and water well to ensure you have met the water needs to create cooler soil and air temperatures.
Fungal diseases that cause seedlings to rot
If your seedlings have germinated, but perhaps patchily, and wither and die soon after, you may have a problem known as “damping off.” This most often results in seedlings not emerging at all and collapsing some time after germination. The problem most often occurs with early sowing indoors or in a greenhouse. It is most damaging in spring, when light levels and temperatures are low and humidity can often be high.
This is because seeds grow slowest at this time. However, it can occur at any time of the year. This disease is caused by a number of different soil-borne fungi and fungi-like organisms. These include Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium. These attack the seedlings shortly after germination and cause them to collapse, causing thePlants rot. You may see white mold around affected seedlings, which is a sign that this is the problem.
Follow other tips if you want to germinate your seeds
It is a fact that some seeds naturally have a higher germination rate than others. With all seeds it is common for a certain proportion to fail. However, in some particular species, only half of the seeds may germinate. Or it could be that seed germination rates are typically low for the seeds you're trying to grow. Another reason your seeds aren't germinating could be that they are no longer viable. Unfortunately, seeds can lose their ability to germinate if they are not stored properly. Unfortunately, in this case the seeds do not germinate at all and are no longer good. They may be so damaged that they can no longer mature into healthy plants. It's also important to know that seeds have an expiration date.
It may simply be that the seeds you are trying to germinate are just too old. Seeds are only viable for a certain period of time, and some lose their viability more quickly than others. Carrots and parsnips, for example, are among the seeds that lose viability more quickly. Of course, this means that it is important to plant your seeds on time. The goal is to grow seeds from these and other plants that are rapidly losing their viability within a year. Alternatively, you can collect or purchase these seeds every year. If no seedlings have appeared at all, there is one final possible answer to this mystery. If you sown seeds outdoors or in an open greenhouse or polytunnel, something may have eaten the seeds before they had a chance to germinate. Birds, rats, mice or voles are the likely culprits as pests in the garden.
