Light or darkness?

[marialittlebzz]

I know some plants need light or darkness to germinate, but in general what is required? in another words : how do you guys germinate your seeds? on the bright side of the window, or on the dark side...

[scarey55]

...on the bright side of the window, or on the dark side...

Just "use the Force" Maria
Well... someone had to say it

[HeyWayne]

Just "use the Force" Maria
Well... someone had to say it

"These aren't the seeds you're looking for."

Sorry, scarey started it!

My understanding is that heat is what germinates seeds, then you need sunlight once they show some green (photosynthesis as I seem to remember from my school days).

[Flummery]

I always use the windowsill. The seeds are covered in a scatter of compost (unless there are specific instructions to leave them on the surface - rare, but it happens) so technically the seed itself is in the dark. As soon as it comes through it gets all the light it wants.

[marialittlebzz]

Just "use the Force" Maria
Well... someone had to say it

hahaha I knew someone will say it !!
I'm going to meditate on them, and who knows, maybe it works
Anyway I am constantly looking at them! Can't help it!

[scarey55]

"These aren't the seeds you're looking for."

Sorry, scarey started it!

ROFL, Wayne - even if it did take me a little while to get it

[Protea]

In general i germinate my seeds on a windowsill, or in my heated propagator which is near a window. However, things like lettuce and brassicas don't necessarily need light until they peek through the compost, so as my windowsills were a bit full last year (there's a suprise !) they got put further in the room away from the window and i swapped them onto the windowsill once they had just broken through the soil.

Chillies and sweet peppers on the otherhand DO need light to help them germinate, they also need lots of heat.

Best advice - read the seed packet, and failing that use common sense.

TOmpson and Morgan do a seed sowing guide (i think i got it when i ordered loads of seed a couple of years ago) and it details which species require light/dark temp required, length of time for germination, whether they need vernalisation (period of cold) or whatever. Its marginally useful, more for flower seed that veggies for me though.

[HeyWayne]

In general i germinate my seeds on a windowsill, or in my heated propagator which is near a window. However, things like lettuce and brassicas don't necessarily need light until they peek through the compost, so as my windowsills were a bit full last year (there's a suprise !) they got put further in the room away from the window and i swapped them onto the windowsill once they had just broken through the soil.

Chillies and sweet peppers on the otherhand DO need light to help them germinate, they also need lots of heat.

Best advice - read the seed packet, and failing that use common sense.

TOmpson and Morgan do a seed sowing guide (i think i got it when i ordered loads of seed a couple of years ago) and it details which species require light/dark temp required, length of time for germination, whether they need vernalisation (period of cold) or whatever. Its marginally useful, more for flower seed that veggies for me though.

Every day is indeed a school day! Thanks Protea.

[Protea]

Every day is indeed a school day! Thanks Protea.

No probs, it been a long and winding learning curve for me over the years, i like to try something new every year!

[rustylady]

Usually says on the seed packets whether they need light or darkness to germinate best. Do check before you sow.