Propagation

Plants’ seeds vary greatly in size so the vessel into which you sow them needs to vary accordingly. For instance, most small seeds are best sown into seed trays whereas some larger seeds such as melons or peas are often better sown into small pots or cell trays. Once planted, place the seed trays and pots in a heated propagator.

The Vitopod Propagator is perfectly designed to give seeds the best start. This award winning, height adjustable offers more control than other propagator and delivers even heat throughout the base. Even heat encourages the seeds to develop heathily, evenly. 

If you take cuttings, they can they can be grown in pots of gritty compost. If you wish to really improve your success rate with cuttings why not try our Hydropod Propagator a try. This professional self-watering, soil-less propagator produces healthy, transplant-ready cuttings in just 10-14 days.

When it comes to getting a seed to germinate, water must be absorbed into the seed and there are a number of methods employed to break dormancy.

Scarification – The seed coat, the testa, must be damaged in some way to enable the absorption of water and hence begin germination. Acid, a file or sharp implement can be used.

Stratification – The seed must be warmed or chilled or sometimes a combination of the two to allow moisture to be absorbed. This breaks the dormancy and triggers the release of enzymes which start the process of germination.

Whichever method is used it must be the correct one for the species. In effect we are simulating it’s natural environment to encourage the correct conditions for the plant’s growth.

Before sowing the seeds, make a shallow furrow in the compost for each row you are sowing.
Water using a fine spray until the compost is moist but not saturated. It best to do this before sowing if you are sowing small seeds as will stop them from being spread out. If you are handling larger seeds you can water in afterwards instead, especially if you are sowing straight into pots.

Sow thin rows of seeds in the allotted space. If the seeds are small, mix with a little sharp sand. This will help with handling and it will be easier to see where you have sown them.

Larger seeds are best sown individually. Put a few at a time in your hand and place them at intervals along the row.
The fewer seeds you sow the fewer you have to remove later, however you will need to sow more than is needed because some seeds may not germinate. 

Once the seeds have been sown, cover them with finely sieved compost to the same depth as the length of your seeds e.g. if your seeds are 1mm diameter, cover with 1 – 1.5mm of sieved compost. 

Place in a Vitopod Propagator and set at an appropriate temperature. For most vegetable seeds, 15-22˚C is an acceptable temperature range. Depending on how warm your propagator is, you may need to water the compost before seed emergence begins, be mindful not over-do it.

An alternative way to grow seeds is in 1” Rockwool cubes. These are pre-soaked and the seeds sown by pushing into the cube. They can be placed into a Vitopod or Hydropod and then simply placed into a larger cube when roots are forming.

Approximately two weeks after the seeds have all emerged remove the weaker looking plants so that there is space between each seedling for it to grow. 

In weeks three to six you will need to remove a few more of the young plants to give the plants more growing space. Once the plants are large enough, typically when they have two seed leaves and two true leaves they can be potted on into either a 3” pot of compost or Rockwool cube. 

If using rockwool, nutrients will need to be added to the water at a reduced rate as seeds begin to emerge.

Rotting off – this is usually caused by fungal organisms and can primarily be due to either an unclean soil or seed tray, or more notably to overwatering. An incorrect temperature can contribute to this issue also.

Failure to germinate - this may be caused by damping off organisms or by incorrect dormancy breaking procedures.

For further information refer to our Pests and disease section.

If you would like more information on propagation or simply have a question you would love answering, our Gardening Angels can help.

Give us a call on 0845 602 3774 or drop us an email at info@greenhousesensation.co.uk.