Sowing & Germination

Successful plant cultivation begins with the right conditions for sowing and germination. From choosing the appropriate substrate and proper watering to the development of the first cotyledons, you will find important basics here for a successful start for your plants.

The right substrate

The seeds of most plant species contain a nutrient reserve that, after germination, enables the young plants to develop their basic organs—root, stem, and leaves—before they are able to photosynthesize and nourish themselves. These nutrient reserves are usually located in the cotyledons, but in some species they are also found in a special nutritive tissue (endosperm) within the seed.

Ordinary potting soil is therefore not particularly suitable for sowing seeds. It often contains too many fertilizer salts. Seeds can rot in it, or young plants can be damaged. Therefore, use seed-starting mix or coconut coir. Both are low in nutrients, sterile, and well-draining.

The sowing substrate serves primarily to provide support for the seedlings at the beginning of their growth and to supply them with consistent moisture. Minerals or fertilizers are not yet necessary, as the seeds already contain these plant nutrients.

Why we recommend coconut fiber substrate for growing

Commercially available potting soil is often made from peat. Peat comes from raised bogs, which are valuable and increasingly threatened habitats.

Coconut fiber substrate is an alternative to peat. The coconut blocks are made from coconut fiber residues generated during coconut fiber processing. The material is low in nutrients, breathable, and largely sterile, making it well-suited for plant cultivation.

The preparation

Fill your seedling container to the top with seedling substrate. Then gently press down the surface to create a watering rim of about 0.5 cm in the pot.

You can tell the soil is the right amount when its surface springs back slightly and offers some resistance when pressed down. If there is too little soil in the container, the future plants will have less root space and the substrate will dry out more quickly.

Water and proper irrigation

The water should be as low in lime as possible. Rainwater is ideal. The water used for watering should also be at room temperature, so that the young plants are not stressed by very cold or hot water.

After the entire growing medium has been thoroughly moistened at the beginning, a spray bottle is particularly suitable during germination. This ensures that the moisture is evenly distributed and prevents the seeds from being washed away.

The substrate should be moist, but not constantly wet. Plant roots also need oxygen in addition to water. Therefore, be careful not to compact the soil too much and avoid waterlogging.

Seed germination

Depending on the plant species, it takes only a few days, but sometimes also several weeks or months, until the seedling in the seed has developed into a seedling and the cotyledons have unfolded.

How quickly a plant grows depends on various conditions. After the cotyledons have unfolded, light, temperature, and water supply play a particularly important role in its further development.

Even if seedlings appear to stop growing for a while, increased root growth may already be taking place underground. A well-developed root system forms the basis for later above-ground growth.

The fall-off disease

Young seedlings can occasionally fall over for no apparent reason. Possible causes include seeds sown too densely, constantly damp soil, high soil temperature, and high humidity.

After germination, the substrate should therefore be kept somewhat drier and the growing container should be ventilated regularly.

Common pitfalls in sowing and germination

• If the growing medium is too wet, the seeds can become moldy.
• If the substrate is too dry during germination, the germination process can be interrupted.
• Temperature specifications are based on experience – seeds react individually to temperature fluctuations.
• The stated germination period is also an average value based on experience and can vary significantly.
• A 100% germination rate cannot be guaranteed even under optimal conditions.