Testing Seed Germination

<h2>Why Test Germination?</h2> <p>Before investing time and effort in planting, it is wise to test seed viability. Old seeds or seeds stored improperly may have low germination rates. Testing helps you determine how many seeds to plant and whether you need fresh stock.</p> <h2>Method 1: Paper Towel Test (Quick)</h2> <ol> <li>Dampen a paper towel until moist but not dripping</li> <li>Place 10 seeds in a row on one half of the towel</li> <li>Fold the towel over the seeds</li> <li>Place in a sealed plastic bag with small holes</li> <li>Label with seed name and date</li> <li>Keep warm (70-75°F / 21-24°C)</li> <li>Check after 3-7 days for germination</li> </ol> <p>Calculate germination rate: (seeds germinated / 10) x 100 = % germination</p> <h2>Method 2: Float Test (For Large Seeds)</h2> <ol> <li>Fill a glass with room-temperature water</li> <li>Place 10 seeds in the water</li> <li>Wait 15-30 minutes</li> <li>Seeds that sink are likely viable</li> <li>Seeds that float may be non-viable (not always reliable)</li> </ol> <h2>Method 3: Cut Test (Visual Inspection)</h2> <ol> <li>Cut a few seeds in half lengthwise</li> <li>Viable seeds have white, firm interior</li> <li>Non-viable seeds are brown, hollow, or shriveled</li> <li>This destroys the seeds, so use sparingly</li> </ol> <h2>Interpreting Results</h2> <table> <thead><tr><th>Germination Rate</th><th>Action</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td>80-100%</td><td>Excellent — plant at normal spacing</td></tr> <tr><td>60-79%</td><td>Good — plant slightly closer than normal</td></tr> <tr><td>40-59%</td><td>Fair — plant more seeds, thin later</td></tr> <tr><td>Below 40%</td><td>Poor — consider fresh seeds</td></tr> </tbody> </table> <h2>Factors Affecting Germination</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Age:</strong> Most seeds lose viability after 1-3 years</li> <li><strong>Storage:</strong> Cool, dry, dark conditions extend life</li> <li><strong>Species:</strong> Some seeds (onion, parsnip) lose viability quickly</li> <li><strong>Treatment:</strong> Stratified or scarified seeds test sooner</li> </ul> <h2>When to Test</h2> <p>Test seeds 2-3 weeks before you plan to plant. This gives time to obtain fresh seeds if needed. For seeds requiring stratification, test after the stratification period is complete.</p>