WHAT IS SEED PRIMING ?
Think of priming as hydrating seeds . Seed priming establishes consistent moisture and temperature for seeds so they begin the germination process . In many cases , seeds are primed and then the germination process is halted before roots and sprouts emerge . This can occur because controlled priming works within a window of time between priming and pre-germination . As long as priming does not surpass the maximum length of time , seeds can safely dry back to a dormant state and await planting . Amazingly , at the time they ’ re sown , primed seeds will sprout more quickly and abundantly than non-primed seeds .
SEED PRIMING AT HOME
Seed priming is possible for hobby and home gardeners , although it may be more or less a little-known secret or a proud discovery of greater gardening success . Only this year did I learn the amazing experience of improving germination by priming and testing seeds in wet paper towels .
SOAKING SEEDS FIRST
When priming seeds at home , you can soak seeds or use the paper towel method of germination . If soaking , place seeds in a small bowl of water and soak for no more than 24 hours . Recommendations on total soak time vary but range commonly between eight to 12 hours and absolutely no more than 24 , or else the seeds might begin to rot .
WET PAPER TOWEL SEED PRIMING
The plastic baggie and paper towel method of starting seeds is a very useful technique . A kind gentleman in a Facebook gardening group suggested it for planting pea seeds to see if they ’ d sprout . Here are the steps :
1 . Fold a paper towel in half .
2 . Space out pea seeds on the folded paper towel .
3 . Spray room temperature tap water lightly on the paper towel .
4 . Fold it to fully cover the seeds and ensure it is evenly moist .
5 . Place the folded paper towel in a zip-top plastic baggie .
6 . Label with the date and type of seed .
7 . Place near a heating vent or on a warm surface such as the top of your fridge or microwave .
“
AS LONG AS PRIMING DOES NOT SURPASS THE MAXIMUM
LENGTH OF TIME , SEEDS CAN SAFELY DRY BACK TO A DORMANT STATE AND
AWAIT PLANTING .”
Maximum Yield 53