Plants can be propagated in many ways. In natural conditions, offspring grows mainly from seeds (generative reproduction).Its main feature is that it is not clear what the offspring plants will look like, because the young inherit the genes of both the mother plant and the father plant.The dispersion of traits applies to most cultivated varieties. Certainly propagating from seed is also very time consuming.
Sowing seeds is a natural activity for the mother plant to support the species and expand the area of distribution.The seeds are built to survive in unfavorable conditions and then, when the circumstances are right, arise.The heart of the sperm is the embryo surrounded by nutrient tissue and covered from the outside with a shell that protects it against bacteria and fungi. cotyledons.
The seeds reach their full germination capacity after passing the dormancy phase.Sometimes outside help is needed. In nurseries, stratification and scarification are then used. Stratification is the transfer of seeds with layers of moist sand, causing swelling and, as a result, faster and even emergence.
A similar effect is given by scarification, i.e. mechanical or chemical damage to the seeds - puncturing, cutting, rubbing, soaking in sulfuric acid. The first technique is used i.a. in roses, the second is used in the reproduction of hornbeams and palms. As you can see, the needs of plants vary, the most important factors for germination at home are the quality of the substrate, humidity and temperature, oxygenation and exposure to light (or darkening).
Watering makes the seeds absorb water and swell. A new life is born. During this period, the seedlings must not dry out. Delayed watering, often too abundant, creates favorable conditions for rotting.A good way to maintain a moderate air humidity in the growing environment is to use plastic cladding covers.After seed emergence, the containers are regularly ventilated. Emerging seedlings need a lot of oxygen, so the growing medium should be permeable.
A good solution is to enrich the substrate with pieces of perlite or polystyrene, thanks to which the substrate has a better structure.The seedlings cannot be flooded because the excess water closes the air channels, the roots have nothing to breathe and die.A similar fate befell seeds sown too deep.In order to avoid crusting of the substrate and counteract the growth of algae and moss, it is worth sprinkling a thin layer of sand in the pot. Rainwater is best for watering.
The optimal germination temperature for seeds sown at home is approx. 20 ° C.Of great importance here is not only the temperature of the air, but also the ground, so place the litter boxes on a pad of polystyrene, cork or newsprint.Usually, the seeds must be covered with the substrate after sowing.This is not a rule, however, the best example of which is lettuce, which requires light to germinate. That is why we leave its seeds uncovered.
Place the containers with the seedlings in a bright, but not sunny place.Underexposed sunrises are faint and miserable. It is important that the plants are not sown too densely, so sometimes they need to be thinned.Sowing seeds at home or in greenhouses should be started in February at the earliest.
