Lettuce seeds must be exposed to light to grow into seedlings. You can sprinkle them on soil or vermiculite and then cover them with a thin layer of soil or vermiculite. Carrots: much like lettuce, to get carrot seeds to germinate, expose them to light by sprinkling them on the surface of the soil.
Does lettuce germinate in light or dark?
Light
Light is required for some lettuce seeds to grow. When seeds fail to germinate in the dark, they’re called “photosensitive” or “photodormant.” Once they do emerge, to grow a field of lettuce with heads that are all relatively the same size (uniform), the seedlings must all spend an equal amount of time in the sun.
Do you need light to germinate lettuce seeds?
Lettuce needs light and water to germinate. It is supposed to germinate in seven to 10 days. In my experience a generous sprinkling of seeds on top of soil-starting medium might generate two or three weak sprouts after weeks of tender care and gentle spritzing to keep the seeds moist.
Which seeds require darkness to germinate?
Some other popular types which prefer darkness for germination are:
- Calendula.
- Centaurea.
- Delphinium.
- Gazania.
- Nemesia.
- Primula sinensis.
- Schizanthus.
What is the fastest way to germinate lettuce seeds?
To germinate lettuce seeds faster, try soaking them for 12-24 hours before planting. Also, keep the soil cool, and give them plenty of light right from the start.
Why do seeds germinate better in the dark?
The presence of light tends to inhibit their growth. The light decomposes carbonic acid gas and expels oxygen which leads the seed to harden. These gases are key factors that promote germination. In dark environments, the gases remain undisturbed and germination is favoured.
What is the best light for germinating seeds?
If you are just using grow lights to start seeds or to grow leafy vegetables, stick to lights that are labeled either as blue-green spectrum or balanced light spectrum. It is increasingly common for lights to be labeled “for greens and seeds” or “for flowers and fruit”.
Why won’t my lettuce seeds germinate?
Lettuce is fussy about temperature, that’s for sure. It prefers soil temps somewhere between 40 – 80 degrees, but if it’s too warm, it won’t germinate, and too cold, it won’t sprout, either. I planted my lettuce seeds around the same time as I do every year (March) but this year’s March weather was uncertain.
Will seeds germinate under LED light?
LED lights provide more than enough direct lighting to grow young vegetable and flower seedlings strong and true. They also happen to be inexpensive to operate, without the humming noise many grow lights can have.
How many hours of light do lettuce seeds need to germinate?
How many hours of light do lettuce seeds need to germinate? Lettuce seeds germinate properly only if you expose them to light for about 12 hours a day. The ideal soil temperature for lettuce seed germination is between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do seeds germinate better in light or dark?
Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007). Don’t confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. All seedlings require sunlight.
How long does lettuce take to germinate?
7-15 days
Seeds should sprout in 7-15 days, depending on conditions. Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C (72°F) in summer.
Does lettuce need warmth to germinate?
At 70 to 80°F, the plants flower and produce seed. Lettuce can tolerate a few days of temperatures from 80 to 85°F, provided that nights are cool. Lettuce seed will germinate at 35°F, but optimum germination is 70 to 75°F.
Should you start lettuce indoors?
Lettuce is so easy to grow it can be started indoors for early transplants or sown directly in the garden. In fact, doing both is recommended to get maximum production. Start some lettuce seeds indoors in peat pots a few weeks before the last frost date in your area.
Does romaine lettuce need light to germinate?
To get an early start, prepare beds the previous fall by working in manure or compost and raking smooth to leave a fine seedbed. Seeds need light to germinate; sow at a very shallow depth by covering with a thin layer of growing medium. Sow seed 1/8 inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
Will a seed germinate in a dark room?
Seeds will not germinate well in absence of light. Light decomposes the carbonic acid gas, and releases oxygen, utilizing the carbon. This causes a hardening of all the parts of the seed, thereby preventing vegetation growth.
Can seedlings get too much light?
It is true that your seedlings need bright light to grow healthy and strong—but, too bright a LED light could actually damage them if it’s too close – plus, seedlings also need a period of darkness in order to thrive.
Should seedlings be in the dark?
Most seeds germinate best when they’re placed in the dark. The presence of light, which is crucial to seedling development, may actually stunt the process of germination.
Should I dim my LED grow lights for seedlings?
When it comes to whether or not you should dim your grow lights, the answer should be “no.” Your grow lights are not like your typical household lights. Your plants depend on indoor grow lamps to be operating at 100 percent in order to get the full benefit of your bulb’s light spectrum.
How far should LED lights be from seedlings?
There is no universal rule for setting the distance but it’s recommended that LEDs are placed 12 to 18 inches away from the plants. Light is among the most vital factors to consider when growing plants because it triggers the photosynthesis process.
Can I leave my grow light on 24 hours?
A: In general, you should not leave grow lights on 24/7. Plants need a light-dark cycle to develop properly. It’s believed that they truly do “rest” during periods of darkness, and probably use this time to move nutrients into their extremities while taking a break from growing.