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germinating in the dark

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:27 pm
by 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?

Re: germinating in the dark

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:51 pm
by 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.

Re: germinating in the dark

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:20 pm
by 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?

Re: germinating in the dark

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:23 pm
by Annpan
Always worth a try with the old seeds I guess, but you'll probably have more success with fresh seeds :flower: :flower: :flower:

Re: germinating in the dark

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:34 am
by Ellendra
Urban Ayisha wrote: can seeds germinate in the dark?

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

Re: germinating in the dark

Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:21 pm
by Urban Ayisha
alright alright clever clogs! you know what i mean! :tongue:

Re: germinating in the dark

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:57 pm
by 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?!