Sprouting Vs. Germinating

Biologically speaking, there is no difference between sprouting and germination, but for most people watching a little green plant curl up from under the ground, "sprout" is the preferred term. The process of plant germination is fascinating and if you're a gardener it doesn't hurt to know a little about what makes your seeds grow.

Inside every seed are the basic elements of a plant. The radicle is an embryonic root, small, but enough to sustain a newly emerged plant. The epicotyl will grow and become the stem and leaves. The cotyledon is the seed leaf, essentially the seed splits in two and becomes an immature leaf. The hypocotyl is a connection between the radicle and the cotyledon. Seeds also have a coat that protects them from the elements. Some are thin and germinate easily, others are thick and need to be broken down by water or scratched or scarred by animals or wind before they can germinate.

Seeds need to be activated, so to speak, by the right conditions. The three elements of germination are water, oxygen and temperature. Some seeds need light to germinate as well, but others can germinate in darkness. If the conditions are met, the seed's cells will start to grow. There are many reasons why a seed won't germinate. Overwatering can deprive a seed of oxygen. Planting it too deeply may cause it to expend its reserved energy before it reaches the surface. A seed that is too dry won't be able to begin the germination process.

Once the proper conditions are met to kick start germination, the cells inside a seed begin to grow and will eventually burst through the seed wall. The radicle, or root, pushes through first, anchoring the seedling. The hooked hypocotyl pulls the cotyledons out of the dirt and as the seedling grows and straightens, they are pulled fully out of the ground. The primary leaves emerge from the cotyledons as the stem lengthens. As the true leaves fully emerge, the cotyledons will eventually fall off and the plant will continue to grow and mature.

If you've had seeds in storage for a while, you may want to test to see if they'll germinate before you plant them. Testing for germination will save you time later, according to Oregon State University. Put about 10 seeds evenly spaced on a damp paper towel and roll it up. Place it in a plastic bag and put the bag in a warm location. After a few days you can check to see if any of the seeds have germinated. The percentage of seed germination in the towel will tell you how much you should plant in the garden.