We had introduced the common mothods for seed germination and also had listed which plant seeds are suitable for the above methods.Also we have shown a list of common seed germination condition by germination temperature,time and soaking time.Also welcome to tell us your own idea about seed germination.

1. What Are the Common Methods of Seed Germination?
1.Introduction of common methods of seed germination
(1).Soaking.
Soaking is a very common way of germination. However, the soaking time of different seeds is also different.
Common herbaceous flower seeds can be sown after soaking in clear water for 24 hours, while some large
plant seeds can be sown after soaking in water for a few days.
(2).By using (paper) towels.
It is a very effective method to promote germination when using paper towels. First, prepare a rectangular
sealed jar, and then prepare a slightly better quality towel. Wet the towel and lay it on the bottom of the
sealed jar, then sprinkle the seeds evenly on the paper towel, cover it, and put it in a wet and warm place.
After about a week, the seeds will sprout.
(3).Low temperature germination promotion.
Some seeds need to be treated at low temperature to stimulate seed dormancy and promote seed
germination. Mix the seeds directly with slightly wet sand and put them into the sealed plastic bag. Keep
them in the fresh keeping layer of the refrigerator for 3-5 ℃. After 2 months, take them out and sow
them,they will germinate quickly.
(4).Seed Stratification
First mix the wet sand with the seeds, and then find a slightly earthen basin. Fill some pebbles at the bottom
of the basin, then spread the 10cm thick sand. Pour the mixed seeds and sand, and finally cover it with a
layer of 10cm thin soil. This method is suitable for seeds that are dormant for a long time.
(5).Thermos cup seed germination.
It is not a common,but very fast speed method.First soak the seeds in boiling water for 15 minutes and then
put the seeds together with the water into the thermos cup and wait for about 20 minute to get the
germinated seeds.

2. 2.Which plant seeds are suitable for the above methods.
(1).Cruciferae (Chinese cabbage, radish, cabbage, cauliflower, rape, mustard, and potherb mustard, etc.)
these vegetable seeds germination temperature is 15-30 ℃(wide temperature), because the seed coats are
always thin, so do not immerse the seeds, directly sow in a small Petri dish with a paper towel, no need to
be washed during germination.
(2).Cucurbitaceae (zucchini, pumpkin, wax gourd, watermelon, cucumber, towel gourd, balsam pear, etc.)
seeds have good germination temperature under the constant temperature of 25-30 ℃, or the variable
temperature of 20-30 ℃. Too high or too low temperature will affect the germination. Except that cucumber
and watermelon seeds do not need to be soaked (because the germination rate of watermelon seeds after
soaking is not as high as that of non soaked seeds), the rest seeds should be soaked in warm water of 50
degrees for 15 minutes before germination, then soak it at room temperature for about 8 hours. Use
medium-sized Petri dishes, paper or towels as the germination bed. Except for cucumber seeds, which do
not need to be washed, other seeds should be washed for 2 3 times before germination. The water in the
germination bed should not be too large. The germination period is about 4-10 days.
(3).Solanaceae (sweet pepper, pepper, eggplant, tomato, etc.) seeds germinate best under the condition of
variable temperature of 20-30 ℃ or constant temperature of 30 ℃, especially when the eggplant seeds
germinate under the condition of variable temperature, washing, drying and ventilation. Medium-sized Petri
dishes are used to germinate on paper towel, and a small amount of water is sprayed during germination.
The germination period is generally 5-12 days.
(4).Liliaceae (onion, onion, leek, celery, fennel, spinach, coriander, laver, etc.) these seeds have low
requirements for temperature. The seeds can germinate well at a constant temperature of 15 or 20 ℃. If the
temperature is too high, the seeds will not germinate, and if the temperature is too low, the continuation of
the physiological function of the seeds will be detrimental to germination. Therefore, in hot summer, when
the temperature is high, the low-temperature box must be used for germination, and the temperature must
not be too high. Except that celery seeds are not soaked, other seeds are best soaked in warm water for 5-7
hours. Small or medium-sized Petri dishes are used. Most seeds are used as germination beds on paper
towel. Coriander seeds are best germinated in soil. A small amount of water is sprayed during germination.
The germination period is 6-14 days. the coriander is longer.
(5).Gramineae (corn, sorghum, rice) need to germinate at a temperature of 25-30 ℃. Before germination,
soak the seeds in warm water for 4-8 hours, and soak the rice seeds for 24 hours. Use sand or towel roll as
the germination bed. Add enough water in the germination bed, and the germination period is about 4-10
days.
In addition, for the method of breaking dormancy of seeds, physical treatment methods such as low
temperature or variable temperature can achieve good results. For example, coriander, eggplant and other
seeds that are difficult to germinate are pre treated with 3 degrees of low temperature for 1 day, and then
placed in a variable temperature state of 20-30 ℃. The germination rate can be as high as 80% - 90%,
which can be increased by 20-30% compared with the germination rate without low temperature treatment,
and the germination is rapid, neat and consistent.
3.Reference table for common plant germination conditions:
Plant Name Germination Temperature (℃)Soaking Time (Hour)Germination Time (Hour)
watermelon 28-32 12 16-24
muskmelon 28-32 6-8 24-30
cucumber 28-32 6-8 24-30
pumpkin 28-32 12 24-32
balsam pear 30-32 12-16 36-48
towel gourd 28-30 6-8 36-48
wax gourd 28-30 12-16 72-96
squash 28-30 4-6 24-36
wheat 26-30 4-6 20-30

3. corn 26-30 8-10 24-36
soybean 26-30 4-6 12-24
peanut 28-30 2-4 24-36
rice 28-32 6-8 24-36
cotton 30-32 8-16 36-48
radish 20-30 2-4 36-48
eggplant 20-30 8-16 72-96
tomato 28-30 4-6 48-72
celery 15-20 12-24 120-144
spinach 20-25 12-16 72-120
scallion 16-20 4-6 24-36
chives 16-20 16-24 72-120
Chinese cabbage26-30 4-6 24-48
cabbage 18-20 12-24 24-48
cowpea 26-30 4-6 12-24
Pepper 25-30 4-6 96-120
It is recommended we can provide such Seed Germination condition by a Thermostatic Incubator,or an
Illumination Incubator is better.
View all our incubators.
Written by
Engineer Ni
Shanghai Medlab Technology Co.,Ltd