Why do seeds not germinate

Extremes of heat can kill seeds in a short time, which is why we recommend storing them in a cool, temperature and moisture stable environment. If only a few of the seeds germinate , it is most likely from being impatient or planting older seeds that have less viability. Most garden seeds have a high germination rate for the first 2 — 3 years, with the exception of hulless pumpkins, leeks and onions.

Of course, when you see the first few pepper seeds pop up in 3 — 4 days, then nothing for another day or so and you give up, you lose out on the rest of the seeds emerging at the end of the week! Have a bit of patience, observe the seeds progress each day and check our Germination Guide or the back of the seed packet to see how long they really should take. Many times a couple more days makes all the difference in germination rates. Planting too early, too deep, watering too much or too little are common mistakes made.

Wet a paper towel and wring most of the moisture out of it. Fold it in half and then lay it open. Arrange the test seeds — usually 10 or so — along the fold, then re-fold the towel over the seeds. Roll the folded towel into a tube, then seal it into a zip-lock type of clear plastic bag. Put the bag of seeds in a constant, very warm temperature location — such as the top of a refrigerator, freezer or in the oven that has a pilot light.

Record the date started and check the progress daily, opening the bag to check the moisture level. Check the germination rate and amount of days needed against our Germination Guide. If the seeds germinate well, you can plant them directly by cutting them out of the paper towel, and then you know they are viable. They are moisture, temperature, air, light and soil.

As the moisture is absorbed from the soil or seed starting media through the seed coat, enzymes are activated that convert the stored nutrition reserves and softens the seed shell, allowing oxygen to penetrate the seed coat, starting the process of growing. The moisture levels are critical at this early stage — they must remain constant for the sprouting process to continue and for the seedling to survive.

Uneven moisture levels can seriously delay sprouting of a seed, and even a few minutes lack of moisture as a seedling can kill it, as it has no method of storing water like a mature plant does. During the germination process, a seed needs much more moisture in the soil than when it has sprouted, so be aware and decrease the moisture levels as young seedlings emerge and mature.

Temperature — Germination will only occur in a specific range of maximum and minimum temperatures for each variety. Our Germination Guide lists these, along with the optimum temperature each one needs. The temperature we are talking about is the soil temperature, not the air temperature above the seed tray or garden row.

When starting seeds inside, a bottom heat such as a seed sprouting heating mat on a thermostat is invaluable. In the garden, double check the soil temperature with a soil thermometer before spending the time and effort in carefully planting your seeds and being disappointed later. Air — Seed germination requires large amounts of oxygen to activate the metabolic process of converting the stored nutrients into energy. Oxygen that is dissolved in water and from the air contained in the soil is used.

If soil conditions are too wet, an anaerobic condition can be created and seeds may not be able to germinate due to lack of oxygen. Light — Some seeds need light for germination, while some other seed varieties are hindered by light. Most wild species of flowers and herbs need darkness for germination and should be planted slightly deeper in the soil while most modern vegetable crops prefer light or are not affected by it, and are planted shallowly to allow small amounts of light to filter through the soil.

We want you to have success in your gardens and on your farms. We will work with you to find an agreeable solution to your germination problems.

This is our guarantee. West Coast Seeds cannot, though, accept liability for how you plant, maintain, or store your seeds. The primary reasons for failed germination are: Seeds get eaten — mice, voles, birds, and wireworms all eat seeds.

Check to see that the seed is still in the soil. Seeds rot — planted too deeply, over-watered, or in cold weather, our untreated seeds may simply rot. A quality garden soil is loose enough to prevent compaction that cuts off air to seeds.

Related Potting Soil vs Garden Soil. Starting seeds too early in the spring may allow the roots to sprout then quickly die off during a frigid night. You may never see the shoot sprout above the soil, but the root growth began. The opposite can also be true, with the temperature making the soil too hot for the seed to sprout, or it grows then dies off immediately. The Fix: Set seeds when your region is free of overnight frosts or when the season is right for the type of plant.

Low seed quality from either old age or damage from exposure during packaging, transport, and storage can significantly weaken germination chances. Old seeds lose potency over time, which may not have enough energy inside left to promote healthy growth.

Many seed packets are paper, allowing airflow to prevent molding but allow moisture, heat, and cold to alter the seed structure. The Fix: Check the expiration date on the seed packets and inspect the packaging for tears or discoloration that can indicate damage.

Damping-off is fungi attacking the newly sprouting root and shoot and appears as a white mold. Whiteflies are a common variety of pests of indoor gardens. Appearing as yellow spots and black mold, they suck sap from plants. The black mold appears as a result of these pests excreting the excessive plant juice they feed, named as honeydew. Fungal infections are easy to identify as the sprouted plant will start to bend or turn brown.

The infection appears in the presence of fungus in the soil or in the case of overwatering. A seed may sprout successfully but can fall over as the base gets rotten. This occurs due to the phenomenon called damping off , caused by a fungal infection in the soil that attacks stems at the soil surface and is usually fatal. The situation occurs due to the high proportion of nutrients or moisture in the soil and can cause the germinated sprouts to wither overnight.

The infection can occur from a dirty container or growing medium. The growing mediums, based on the nature of their material can be used for many years, however, they must be sanitized with bleach water or hydrogen peroxide solution at the beginning of the season.

Once the damping off takes over, it is recommended to start all over with a fresh container, soil, and seeds. You could also use hydrogen peroxide to treat fungal diseases on your tender plants. Make sure to not overwater the seedlings while they are required to be kept moist. Avoid over-fertilizing and thinning them out will prevent overcrowding and promote good air circulation. While every day is a new day at gardening, seed germination and growth can be made easy by taking care of simple things discussed above in the blog.

They will not only give a head start to a hearty and healthy crop but also save you a lot of time and cost in your garden. There can surely be more variety specific challenges based on what you are sowing, however, you are all set to avoid some basic common issues no matter what you choose to grow.

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Previous Post Sprouting seeds is a common challenge experienced by gardeners, experienced and beginners alike. Not all seeds are the same; most of them need variable conditions for optimum growth. Seed germination can sound daunting to any novice but it is nothing to stress about. Seed Storage Storing the seeds in the appropriate manner is crucial to keep their potency. If you saved your seeds last year: If you make your own seeds, remember to never put them away without letting them dry completely as this can cause them to rot or mold.

The seeds you save should belong to a healthy parent plant otherwise they can harbour infection and prevent sprouting, however, this is not the most apparent case as most people do not make their own seeds and the contamination happens due to other variables. Seed Quality Most of the stores and nurseries sell hybrid and GMO seeds but you would like to start with heirloom and pure seeds that are GMO-free for a healthier crop as most plants are otherwise treated with pesticides and fertilizers.

Seed Dormancy Seed dormancy is a condition in which seeds fail to germinate under optimal environmental conditions. Optimal Seed Starting There is special premade seed starting mixes for sowing seeds indoors available in the market.