Pre-Soaking Seeds

Hi All

I plant most of my seeds into Rootrainers, before planting out, or potting on. The germination rates of some seeds, such as peas, seem to be pretty poor, so I soak all of the larger seeds first, and then sow them as I see them start to germinate.

This picture illustrates the difference.

Pre-Soaked pea Seedlings

Pre-Soaked pea Seedlings

There are three Rootrainers with pea seedlings. The one on the right was planted after soaking, but before the roots started to appear. As you can see, not all of them have germinated.

The second tray contains seedlings that started to show roots early. Almost all have made it. The third tray contains seedlings that took longer to germinate, but again, almost all have made it. What is interesting is that many people blame mice for the failure of their peas to germinate, but even under ideal conditions, sometimes as many as 50% fail.

The way that I do the larger seeds, is to soak them for 12 hours in compost tea, then rinse and drain. The rinse and drain is repeated each day, ensuring that the seeds stay moist. I fill the cells of the Rootrainers with compost, and every day, plant any seeds that have germinated into a cell. The tray stays next to the potting bench until it is full. Not only does this method reduce the number of failures in the cells, but it also allows you to check on the germination rate. Each tray has 32 cells, so it’s easy to see how many full cells (successes) there are, and how many failures left in the soaking container.

Another useful benefit of doing this, is that you get to see how the seed and it’s root are orientated. For example, the root of a runner bean seed appears from a swelling (after soaking) at one end of the scar on the seed, opposite the little triangular shaped lump. The root will pass along the edge of the seed, past the scar. As the seed opens, the first true leaf appears from between the large seed leaves (the bulk of the seed), and grows upwards. The seed leaves then twist upwards, and appear above the soil. Knowing this, you can plant the seed facing the optimum direction for growth, with the emerging root pointing downwards. If you leave it too long before planting, as the seed soaks laid flat, on it’s side, the root starts to twist to point downwards.

Soaked Runner Bean Seeds

Soaked Runner Bean Seeds

This picture shows the roots emerging, and starting to twist downwards. the seeds top centre, and bottom right, are probably the best to show the roots running down past the scar. I plant them by pushing the seeds longways down into the compost, with the root pointing downwards. Sometimes the root gets stuck under the skin of the seed, and planting them this way allows me to help them get out.

The next picture shows sweetcorn after it starts to germinate. It sends out a root first, and then a shoot, fairly soon after. Both are close together. I plant them with the roots and shoots at the top, and the bulk of the seed below.

Soaked Sweetcorn Seed

Soaked Sweetcorn Seed

I couldn’t get a better close up, but the bottom seed is just starting to show the root and shoot emerging.

The final picture shows the runner bean seeds from the first picture, planted in the cells. They are placed scar side downwards, as the roots had already started to twist.

Many of the larger seeds can be sprouted in this way, and save space in the modules.

Take Care

Deano

Runner Bean Seeds in Rootrainer

Runner Bean Seeds in Rootrainer

8 thoughts on “Pre-Soaking Seeds

  1. Compostwoman

    I do it this way as well!

    I use Rootrainers, but also loo roll tubes ( as I don’t have enough Rootrainers usually….)

    Goiven I do this ,and the scythe post, perhaps we are twins, separated at birth?

    ;-))

    Reply
    1. Deano Post author

      Hi Compostwoman
      Sorry for the delay in replying, but it’s the start of the swarming season, so I’ve been busy putting together hives. Better to be prepared than panic.
      There really does seem to be quite a few similarities in our lives.
      I bought a box of rootrainers from their Commercial growers section, which worked out reasonable. I had intended selling some, but I’ve used them all!

      They’re here

      http://www.rootrainers.co.uk/growers/originaltrays

      Take Care

      Deano

      Reply
  2. Pingback: Pre Soaking Seeds update « The Sustainable Smallholding

  3. James Mann

    I have never soaked seeds before planting them but have been hearing a lot about it this morning. It’s too rainy to be outside today so I am sitting here learning more about vegetable gardening.

    I am going to try a little experiment today with some pea seeds and maybe a few others to see whether I do better with soaked seeds over dried ones.

    Reply
    1. Deano Post author

      Hi James. Try also just sitting some on some wet kitchen towel, or similar. I like it as I put most of my stuff into modules, and this means that I don’t waste modules with seeds that are not going to germinate.

      Reply
  4. Pingback: Pre Soaking Seeds update - The Sustainable Smallholding

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *