How to germinate lettuce seeds? A detailed guide to the latest germination methods
Lettuce is a common vegetable in our daily life, and we can basically eat it all year round. In fact, it is a cold-tolerant vegetable that likes cool weather and fears heat. Its seeds begin to germinate at 4°C, and when the temperature is above 25°C, germination is poor because the seed coat has difficulty absorbing water. The reason we can eat it all year round is that growers adopt the method of germinating seeds before sowing, so it can be marketed in summer and autumn. Let's take a look at the germination techniques for lettuce below.
1. Well-hanging method
In rural areas, well water is the main source of domestic water, and basically every household has its own well. Well water is warm in winter and cool in summer, so in the high-temperature summer season, if you want to place lettuce seeds in a low-temperature environment for germination treatment, a well is a good place. First, soak the seeds in cold water or well water for 5-6 hours. After soaking, rub and wash them 2-3 times to remove the surface mucus and impurities, then dry them slightly, put them into a wet cloth bag, and hang them with a rope at 10-30 cm above the well water surface. Take them out and rinse them with well water 1-2 times a day. In this way, they will sprout after 3-4 days, and then they can be sown.
2. Refrigeration method
With scientific progress, we can now use electrical refrigeration, and can use a freezer or refrigerator to create a low-temperature environment to make the seeds germinate. First, soak the seeds in clean water for 24 hours. After rubbing and washing them clean, soak them in a 100-fold solution of Xin Gaozhi Mo for 1 hour, then wrap them in gauze and put them in a refrigerator or freezer. Keep the temperature between 3-5°C. After 24 hours of refrigeration, place them in a cool, ventilated place for germination. When the seeds begin to show white, spread them out in a cool, ventilated place with scattered light, and pay attention to spraying water to maintain moisture. After 2-3 days, when the young sprouts turn light green, they can be sown. If you find this troublesome, you can place the seeds in a refrigerator or freezer, keep the temperature at 15-20°C, and they will germinate in 3-5 days.
3. Irrigation and mulching method
Choose a plot with loose, fertile soil. After it has been baked and sun-dried until it turns white, shape and rake it level as a seedbed, then scatter the seeds on the ground without any treatment, cover them with a thick layer of rice straw, and press the rice straw down with stones. Every evening, irrigate the seedbed until it is thoroughly wet. In this way, the seeds will gradually germinate in 2-3 days, and when the seedlings grow to a certain height, they can be transplanted.
4. Sand-mixing method
After soaking the seeds in a 100-fold solution of Xin Gaozhi Mo for 1-2 hours, mix them evenly with moist fine sandy soil, then place them in an air-raid shelter or beside a water vat, keeping them moist and cool. They will germinate after about 3-4 days.
The above is an introduction to lettuce seed germination methods. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.