Chitting/germinating seeds

[Snowy]

Following a recent article on pre-germinating Parsnip seeds I am trialing pre-germinating other seeds prior to 'sowing' in cells or more often pots. So far have started some early Peas and Beans - my question is - What comes first, the root or the shoot?!! Do all seeds germinate the same, ie Root or Shoot first?? Would be useful to know of others experiments/experiences - particularly to plant germinated peas and beans - which way up after germination?

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Snowy, as far as i know it's root then shoot for most plants.

Theres a few pre-germinators on here that will come up with some interesting suggestions i'm sure.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

[Snowy]

Thanks for that - I probably planted some of my germinated seeds upside down (root upwards!)thinking that the shoot came first - either they will do a somersault or the real shoot will know which way to come! Have come across some tips in a few searches - will persevere (my middle name!)Snowy

[Colin_M]

I probably planted some of my germinated seeds upside down

Don't worry Snowy - it might not be much worse than if you just planted a seed straight into compost. Whilst beans have more marking to tell you which way to sow them ("Scar side" down? - JB will correct me if I'm wrong), I'm not sure it's as easy to tell with peas.

On a wider note, do many other people bother doing this? After finding mixed levels of germination from sowing peas & beans direct into compost, I now regularly start mine off in a seed sprouter and only plant the ones which produce rootlets.

Can anyone advise if there's a downside to this (eg. the seeds prefer their first contact to be with soil or compost?).


Colin

[Snowy]

Hi Alan - just getting used to this forum and all the info after a bit of delving.

Thought you would have got a bit more response to your question about seeds 'prefering' some material around them whilst germinating.

Summarising what I have gleaned from various members there are several methods - 1. In a sprouter (best suited to larger seeds, Beans, Peas etc 2. In a poly bag with peat, also for Peas, Beans etc 3. On damp kitchen paper (medium sised seeds (eg Parsnip)

Whatever the method it seems the golden rule would be to plant the germinated seed asap.

My reasons for pre-germinating seeds would be to know that what I am planting is viable, save uneccessary waste of seeds pots/cells/row space on 'dud' seeds. I only have a very small back garden vegie plot including unheated greenhouse (with frost protector)

Any further experiences on successful pre germinating

[Johnboy]

Hi Snowy,
There are several reasons to pre-germinate seeds but one of the most important is to trial old seed to see if they a a viable proposition or should be ditched. The trial may be done long before you wish to sow then to grow on and really a trial is best thrown away. If this is done to near to sowing and they are duff you then may not be able to get the seeds you want.
I pre-germinate Parsnip seeds and then plant them in Loo Roll Centres and they then grow away very well.
I also do the same to Marrows, Courgettes and Squashes and Pumpkins. With these you do not actually wait for a root to appear but you will observe that the seed will swell and you can actually see the point where the root will appear and plant with that part down. Again this is where the scar helps you as with Beans.
With Beans, contrary to conflicting postings, SCAR DOWN IS THE BEST METHOD. I am not suggesting that if you throw your Beans in any old how they will not germinate. Seeds germinate 'cos that is what seeds do. Here I am suggesting the best method.
JB.

[Snowy]

Hi John - thanks for that, you did not mention your preferred method of pre germnating the larger seeds ie in bags, on paper, in light, in the dark?
Thanks

[Phil S]

just pre-germinated some sweet pea seeds on kitchen paper in a clear plastic box, i will be doing the same with my parsnip seeds a bit later, this enables me to sow in to pots, root trainers etc individually as required.