Starting "Fussy" Seeds

One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is starting your own seeds. Seed starting opens up a whole new world of choice.  Vegetable seed and most annual flowers are fairly easy to grow from seed. Viable seeds only require moisture, the right temperature, oxygen, and a few require light.  The seed germinates with little fuss; however, some seeds require special consideration and are a bit more finicky.

Perennial seeds and some annual flowers need more attention than others.  Sometimes a seed has an extremely hard seed coat that doesn't allow moisture in or the embryo in the seed may need to break dormancy, the seed might contain a chemical substance that prohibits germination, or it may need darkness or light to germinate.

There are ways to deal with these issues

Seeds That need Soaking due to Seed-Coat Dormancy

There are two reasons a seed may require soaking in water.  First it may have a hard seed coat that does not allow moisture and oxygen to permeate,  and second there may be chemicals present that inhibit germination.  Soaking will leach out chemicals that inhibit germination.  

Cold Water Soak

Peas and other legumes benefit from soaking in room temperature for a day or two.  It is important to plant them immediately after soaking.

Hot-water Soak

Place seeds in hot, not boiling, water.  Cover the seeds completely with water.  Soak for 24 hours unless instructed otherwise on the seed packet.  If you soak the seed longer, change the water daily.  Plant the seeds immediately after soaking.  You don't want them to dry out.  Hot water leaches out germination inhibitors.  The hot water causes the seed coat to crack and imbibition occurs as the water cools.

Seeds That Require Soaking Before Sowing

Okra, Asparagus, Mallow, Morning Glory, Sweet Pea, Lupines, Parsnips, Parsley
Peas and Beans will benefit from soaking but it is not required

Scarification

Scarification is the process of nicking the seed coat to allow moisture to penetrate the hard seed coat.  Be very careful not to nick too deeply and damage the embryo.  There are different methods you can use.  A file or small fingernail clippers can be used.  Small seeds can be rubbed between sandpaper.

Seed that Require Scarification

Wild Blue and False Indigo, Morning Glory, Moonflower, Sweet Pea and Lupines

Notice some of the seeds require both nicking and then soaking to aid in germination.

Stratification

Many perennial seeds are dormant.  This is to ensure that the seeds do not germinate in the same season they mature only to die due to winter.  Dormancy allows the seed to survive winter and then germinate the following spring.  

Stratification involves introducing moist cold conditions that mimic winter and tell the seed to break dormancy and germinate.  Some seeds such as lettuce and delphinium will become dormant if they experience temperatures over 75 degrees for a few weeks and must be chilled in order to germinate.

To stratify mix the seeds in a moist seedling mix in a ziplock bag and place in the freezer or refrigerator.  You can also plant the seeds in their containers or flats and put the entire tray in the freezer in a ziplock bag so it does not dry out.   Some seeds require 6 weeks to 3 months to stratify so plan ahead.

An easier way is to us the weather to stratify and plant outdoors in the fall.  If your winter drops below 40 place the seeds in their containers outside on the north side of the house.  Do not allow them to dry out.  Or you can plant them directly in the ground.

Do not stratify by placing just the seed packet in the freezer. The seeds need to be imbedded or stratification cannot begin.  

A point of interest is that the freezing temperature of most seeds is lower than water.  Most seeds won't freeze until around 22F or 6 C.

Seeds that Require Stratification:

Snapdragon, Columbines Larkspurs, Delphinium, Bleeding Heart, Coneflower, Sweet Pea, Bells of Ireland, Penstemons, Phlox, Black Eyed Susan, Veronicas , Pansies

The number of weeks to stratify varies by species.  The seed packet should have this information. Often instead of stratifying the seed packets recommends planting in fall or very early spring so that the seed experiences the cold necessary to break dormancy.

Light Treatments

Some seeds are photosensitive.  They will not germinate if buried to deeply.  They must be exposed to certain light rays to germinate.  They are usually very small seeds and it is best to press them into the surface of the planting medium.  If buried too deeply they do not receive the red light  rays necessary to break dormancy.  This is to protect the small seed from germinate and being unable to reach sunlight before the stored food source is depleted.

Seeds that Require Light to Germinate

Yarrow, Snapdragon, Columbine, Hollyhock,Ornamental Cabbage, Feverfew, Lobelelias, Forget-me-Nots, Petunia, Coleus, Impatiens, Strawflower, Sweet Alyssum, Nicotiana, Savory, Lettuce, Celery

It is so rewarding to start your own seeds and more economical.  Try a few "fussy" seeds this season.  They will reward you with dazzling beauty!