Plant Propagation: Seed Germination Test

Plant propagation is the production of a new plant from seed, a tissue or part of a mother plant. There is a wide variety of methods, some of them simple like cutting a part of a plant and planting this part, or putting seeds on the ground, to the technologically most complex like in vitro culture (propagation in laboratory). 

Propagation may be sexual (from seeds) or asexual (in vitro, using cuttings from a plant:stems, roots or leaves). 

SEXUAL PROPAGATION

sexual reproduction in plants (as in animals) requires the union of two gametes (female and male), which are produced in the sexual organs of plants: stamen and stigma, respectively. These haploid gametes are brought together by the action of wind or pollinators like bees, which transport the pollen full of gametes from one plant to another, thus allowing fertilization. 

Once the plant has been fertilized, a zygote is produced inside the flower that combines the genetic characteristics of its two parents (sexual variability) and then is covered with a protective shell, which we know as a seed.

For gardening, using sexual propagation through seeds is one of the most common methods to plant our gardens.

SEEDS

For best results buy seeds from a reliable seller. Select varieties that fit the environmental and soil conditions of your area.

Before planting your seeds:

Has it happened to you that you sow your seeds, wait several days and even weeks and they never germinate? To avoid this and to know more accurately the percentage of viability of our seeds, there is a quick and easy test that you can do at home: The easiest germination test.

1. After a week or two count the number of seeds that have germinated and register this data.
2. Use this equation: 

Germination%=  # of healthy seedlings / Total # of seeds) x100 

        3. This will be your germination rate in percentage (%).

For example: 21 seeds are used in this test, after two weeks 15 seeds are germinated (seedlings), then you use the equation: Germination %= (15 seedlings / 20 seeds)x100= 75%. This percentage means that 75% of your seeds are viable. 

Depending on this percentage you will know if you can plant your seeds, if you need to add more seeds, or if you need to buy new seeds. 

Did you know that seeds can be viable for years?

Onion and parsnip seeds will only last 1-2 years. Beans, broccoli, leeks, and peas are good for 3years, while squash,lettuce and kale seeds have an expected storage life of 5 years.

Handout: Plant requirements for popular crops: Click here to download.

Last updated March 7, 2024