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Have you already sowed seeds for seedlings? It’s time. However, waiting for the first green shoots can be disappointing. Moreover, such a failure with the germination of seeds happens even among experienced summer residents. Our tips site decided to figure out what are the most common causes of seed germination problems.
Reason one
The seeds are already expired. This is the first thing that comes to mind. If you bought seeds in packages, they must have a date until which they will definitely not lose germination, an expiration date. If you collected the seeds yourself, we strongly advise you to put the date of collection on the bag or box with them..
Remember that germination decreases over time! But each seed is different. For example, melon and watermelon seeds can sprout well after 8 years, tomato, pepper and eggplant are suitable for up to 5 years, but it is better not to keep them longer than 3 years. Seeds of leeks, celery and carrots lose their germination after two years. Meet these deadlines, check your supplies, plant everything on time.
Reason two
Violations of the storage conditions for seeds. The portal has already written how to save the seeds collected by your own hands before sowing. Humidity should not exceed 12%, no sun, low temperature, reliable packaging: glass or plastic jars with lids, closed envelopes made of thick paper. Perhaps you accidentally left the seeds in the sun, or the humidity in the storage area was high, or the temperature rose … All this could ultimately lead to a sharp decrease in germination.
Reason three
Wrong ground. In general, the easiest way to prepare the soil for sowing seedlings in spring is to stock up on it in the fall. So you will know for sure that the soil is from your garden, on which the seedlings have been growing well all these years. To improve the properties of the soil, you can add peat, a little sand, if the soil is heavy, compost. It is important that the soil is loose, permeable to oxygen, otherwise it will be very difficult for seeds to germinate through the crust and layer of heavy loam. You can also buy ready-made soil for your future seedlings in a specialized store..
The fourth reason
Incorrect seeding. Of course, each type of seed needs to be planted differently. But the general rule, which is suitable in the overwhelming majority of cases, is that the planting depth of the seed should be equal to three sizes of its width. For example, a bean sprout will rise from a depth of even five centimeters, and for pepper and tomato seeds, the soil layer should not exceed a centimeter. And better – from five millimeters. There are tiny seeds, for example, celery, which do not fall asleep with earth at all; they germinate only in the light. Read the instructions on the seed bags, study the information of the professionals to get it right.
Reason five
Improper watering. The slightest overdrying of the soil with seeds can lead to poor germination. The seeds are very delicate and require careful, regular spraying. Before planting, moisten the soil well, let the excess water drain through the drainage holes in the seedling container. Use water at room temperature, separated. Ensure that no dry crust forms on the ground.
Reason six
Incorrect temperature conditions. The overwhelming majority of cultivated plants are thermophilic. For example, for watermelon seeds, the optimum temperature starts from + 27 ° C. For pepper – from +25 ° С. If the temperature drops below +21 ° C, the pepper may not rise at all. For tomatoes, the critical temperature will be +10 ° С, and for cucumber seeds – +12 ° С. However, too high a temperature, above +30 ° C, will also negatively affect the germination of seeds, so strictly control it.
To grow healthy seedlings of vegetables, you need to be very scrupulous from the very beginning, carefully treat the selection and sowing of seeds. This first stage, seedlings, is extremely important, we hope our advice will help you get it right.
Were the seeds given enough moisture or were they overwatered? Were they planted at the right depth? Could the seeds have been old or expired? Was the soil quality suitable for germination? Were they stored properly before planting? Were there any pests or diseases that could have affected their growth?
I’m sorry to hear that your seeds didn’t sprout. There could be a few reasons for this. Did you properly prepare the soil and provide the right amount of water? Perhaps the seeds were old or of poor quality. Were they exposed to unfavorable conditions like extreme temperatures or lack of sunlight? Did you plant them at the wrong time of year? It might also be helpful to know what kind of seeds you were trying to grow. Could you provide more details so we can better assist you in determining the possible reasons for the failure?