germinating in the dark

[Urban Ayisha]

can i just clear something up... when people have been saying about seeds not germinating and the suggestion has been to put in an airing cupboard... can seeds germinate in the dark?

[Annpan]

Yes, most of the time the seeds just need heat and dampness to germinate - there are a few that need daylight to germinate (I think I recently found echinechea (sp?) and celery both need light)

But as soon as the seeds have geminated they need sunlight to start the old photosynthesis dooda wotsits.

Most plants will happily grow at a cooler temperature than that at which they germinate.

[Urban Ayisha]

thank you annpan! always coming to my rescue!
and can i ask... if i've had them sown for a couple of weeks can i still try germinating them dark warm loveliness of my airing cupboard or should i use fresh seeds?

[Annpan]

Always worth a try with the old seeds I guess, but you'll probably have more success with fresh seeds

[Ellendra]

can seeds germinate in the dark?

Dirt is opaque, most seeds have little choice but to germinate in the dark :p

[Urban Ayisha]

alright alright clever clogs! you know what i mean!

[Urban Ayisha]

ok so it worked... but should i wait til all seeds have germinated before bringing them out onto the windowsill or will the others obediantly follow suit now?!