Seed Germination
This process involves a seed absorbing water and activating the embryo, allowing it to grow.
What is imbibition?
Many gardeners look forward to receiving these in the mail, which often arrive just after Christmas and offer a wider selection of seeds.
What are seed catalogs?
This is the most vulnerable stage of a plant's life, and most seeds do not germinate successfully in nature.
What is germination?
This is the process that occurs when a dry seed absorbs water, causing its water content to increase dramatically.
What is imbibition?
This is considered one of the best all-around sources for seeds, offering a greater selection and fresher stock.
What are seed catalogs?
If a seed is buried too deeply, has a sealed soil surface, or is in waterlogged soil, it may die due to a lack of this essential element.
What is oxygen?
This is one of the main reasons seed catalogs are considered one of the best sources for buying seeds, besides offering a wider selection.
What is fresher seeds stored under better conditions?
This is necessary for successful seed germination, along with warmth, moisture, and oxygen.
What is a place to put down roots?
A dry seed may contain as little as this percentage of water before imbibition occurs.
What is 10%?
Seed catalogs offer this advantage over retail outlets, making them an appealing option for gardeners.
What is a greater selection of seeds?
Seeds from the Apiaceae family, such as carrots and parsley, take longer to germinate because their embryos are not fully developed until the seed absorbs this.
What is moisture?
This action is recommended when purchasing seeds from mail-order catalogs to ensure that popular varieties are still available.
What is ordering early in the season?
This temperature range is optimal for most crops to germinate during the daytime.
What is 75 to 85° F?
After imbibition, a seed's water content may increase to as much as this percentage.
What is 70%?
Opening seed parcels is compared to this childhood experience because of the excitement it brings gardeners during the off-season.
What is opening Christmas presents?
After imbibition, this part of the seed grows downward to form the root.
What is the radicle?
For many gardeners, receiving and opening these parcels brings the same joy as this childhood experience.
What is opening Christmas presents?
This type of weather allows certain crops to germinate even at much lower temperatures, as low as 40° F.
What are cool weather crops?
For germination to begin after imbibition, these two factors must be sufficient.
What are oxygen and temperature?
This is a helpful tip when ordering seeds through mail order to ensure that popular varieties are still available.
What is ordering seeds early in the season?
This process allows seeds to begin the germination process by breaking down food stored in the seed for the growing embryo.
What is respiration?
This is an annual ritual that many gardeners treasure, helping them get through the winter months when their gardens are not yet active.
What is choosing the season's crops from seed catalogs?
This is the minimum temperature below which some warm-weather crops may not germinate.
What is 50° F?
The water absorbed by the seed during imbibition activates the seed embryo and stimulates this tissue to make food available for growth.
What is food storage tissue?
Seed catalogs are particularly advantageous for gardeners who want this, as they usually sell out of popular varieties.
What is early access to favored varieties?