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Would you like to see a plant grow? I am not surprised! Being able to witness the first steps that this new life takes is an experience that no one should miss. Although normally I would advise you to sow the seeds outside, during winters especially if frosts occur this is not possible.
So, How to germinate seeds indoors successfully?
What do I need to sow seeds at home?
Once we are ready to sow our seeds, it is important that first of all we prepare everything that we are going to need, which is:
- Hotbed: yogurt cups, milk containers, flowerpots, transparent plastic bags with hermetic closure, peat bars, ...
- Watering can: with water.
- Substratum: It will depend on the type of plant it is. We can use substrate for seedlings that are already sold ready for use in nurseries, vermiculite, or universal substrate.
- Fungicide: it can be chemical spray, or natural such as copper or sulfur.
- Seeds: the fresher they are, the better. That is, if we can take them from the same plant, we will have a greater probability of success than if we buy them online.
- Heat source: it can be the router if we have it on all day, an electric germinator, or whatever comes to mind.
How to sow them?
To sow the seeds you just have to do the following:
Prepare the seedbed
We have to fill it with the appropriate substrate:
- Trees and shrubs: vermiculite or substrate for seedlings.
- Cactus and succulents: vermiculite.
- Palms: vermiculite.
- Horticultural plants: substrate for seedbeds.
- Flowering or seasonal plants: universal substrate.
Important: If we choose to use containers of edible products, we have to clean them thoroughly with water and a little soap, and then remove all the foam. To be really useful, we also have to make one or two holes in the base for drainage.
Palm tree seeds can be sown in transparent plastic bags, since having a fairly strong first root, there is no risk of it breaking.
Place the seeds
The next step is place the seeds in the seedbed, on the surface of the substrate. With the exception of the palm tree seedling, it is advisable not to put many in the same container. To have more or less an idea of how many fit, you have to know that you should not put more than 3 in a pot of 10,5 cm in diameter.
Treat them with fungicide and cover them with substrate
Now is the time treat seeds with fungicide. This is especially important for trees and shrubs, as they are usually more vulnerable to fungal attack. Then we cover them with more substrate.
Water and put the seedbed near the heat source
The last step is water and put the seedbed near a heat source that allows you to enjoy a more or less stable temperature and, above all, pleasant (15ºC or more).
To avoid future problems, it is necessary to place the seedbed in a very bright room (natural light).
Good planting!