Small flower seeds have a low germination rate? Try these methods to improve it
In flower cultivation, when sowing relatively small seeds, the germination rate is often very low. To solve this problem, here is a good method that can effectively improve the germination rate of small flower seeds.
1. Understand the characteristics of the seeds. This includes the temperature, humidity, light and suitable soil conditions required for seed germination and seedling emergence. For example, some flower seeds are suitable for sowing after soaking, while others are not; some seeds prefer low temperatures, while others need higher temperatures to germinate; some seeds are light-loving, while others are light-avoiding, and so on. For example, German primrose (Primula) must not be soaked, as soaking easily causes it to lose viability. The seeds of Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) prefer low temperatures, and the seedling-raising temperature should be around 8°C; above 12°C it is very difficult for them to germinate.
2. Choose good sowing equipment. Use a hard plastic seedling box 50-60 cm long, 30-40 cm wide and 8-10 cm high, with many small holes in the bottom. You can also make one yourself from wooden boards; the size depends on the sowing quantity, but it should not be too high. If it is too high and holds a lot of soil, it will not dry easily after prolonged waterlogging; if it holds little soil, the four walls that rise above the container will block light. The bottom of the wooden box must have drainage holes, and before use it must be soaked in water for 2-3 days until thoroughly soaked, otherwise the box and soil will easily separate.
3. Prepare the substrate. Take fully decomposed and finely sieved farmyard manure, humus soil, fine sand and garden soil in a ratio of 2:1:1:1, sieve them with a sieve that can let sorghum grains pass through, and disinfect them by exposing them to sunlight for 1 day.
4. Fill the box. First spread a layer of coal cinders the size of soybean grains, 1-2 cm thick, on the bottom of the box. Then spread the prepared substrate on top and level it, 4-5 cm thick. Then use a fine sieve to sift on a layer of fine substrate, about 1 mm is enough, to fill the soil gaps so that the tiny seeds do not sink into the soil and are unable to break through the surface. But the fine soil must not be too much, otherwise moss is likely to grow.
5. Sow. Mix the seeds with fine sand in a ratio of 1:1000-2000, place them in a basin and mix well, then evenly scatter them on the substrate. Immediately press lightly on the soil layer with a smooth wooden board; do not press firmly, just enough to make the seeds contact the soil. Finally, place the wooden box in water to soak, with the water level not exceeding the soil surface, adding water as it soaks until it is thoroughly soaked. Take the thoroughly soaked box out of the water, cover it with glass to retain moisture (do not use plastic film, because it tends to drip and damage the seedlings), drain slightly, and immediately move it to an environment suitable for seed germination. Once the seeds germinate, remove the glass, and after most of them have emerged, move them to a suitable place for growth and care. Special attention should be paid to the fact that before two true leaves have grown, never water or spray from above. For the rest, carry out normal seedling-stage management.