Plants Beginning with A

Hints:

Temperature: The temperatures aren't set in stone, as most annuals should pop up at any temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees, while some tropicals will prefer the higher end of that range. Perennials and hardy annuals, which tend to like cooler conditions, usually will sprout at any temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees.

Moisture: To keep the seed starting mix moist for your seeds, cover their containers with plastic wrap until the seeds begin to sprout. Use aluminum foil instead for those which prefer darkness for germination.

Chipping or Sanding Seeds: These processes are only ncessary for seeds that have very hard coats, which water won't penetrate. To protect your fingers, hold each seed between the "jaws" of needle-nose pliers on top of a cutting board as you nick it with the tip of a utility knife. To sand the seed instead, rub it against an emery board or sandpaper until you break through the seed coat.

Soaking Seeds: You easily can soak seeds overnight in Styrofoam cups, writing the name of each seed on the side of its cup. If you need to heat the soaking water to a certain tempera-ture, use a candy thermometer to measure that temper-ature. Otherwise, use lukewarm (room temperature) water.

Gibberellic Acid: If you need to use gibberellic acid, dissolve a 100 mg packet of the white powder in about 1/2 cup of water overnight. Then add an equal amount of water to the mix to make a 500 ppm solution, which is best for most species, before soaking your seeds in the solution overnight.

Smoke Treatment: For seeds that require smoke treatment, add 1 teaspoon commercial smoke flavoring to every 3 tablespoons of water you are using. For the best results, find a flavoring that contains only smoke and water in its ingredients list.

Cold or Warm Treatment: When seeds need to be kept damp and either warm or cold for a certain number of months, fold a paper towel into a card shape. After writing the name of the seeds and the date on front of the "card" with an indelible marker, soak the paper towel in water, squeeze out the excess water, and place the seeds inside the card.

You can keep several such cards inside a folded-over sandwich bag to help preserve their moisture.

Keep in mind that, when a seed begins to sprout inside the towels, the first thing to emerge usually is a radicle (main root). So, if you pot up the seed at that point, be sure that you position it with the root underground and lower than the seed from which it is protruding.

Plants Beginning with A

Abelmoschus: Heat water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), drop your seeds into that water, and allow them to soak overnight as the water cools. Then sow them 1/16-inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, often in 2 days for those which have received this hot water soak.

(Hint: 'Pacific Pink' seems to have harder seeds than other cultivars, so you may want to pour boiling water over them instead and allow them to soak in the cooling water overnight before planting them.)

Abutilon (flowering maple): Heat water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), drop your seeds into that water, and allow them to soak overnight as the water cools. Then sow them in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, barely covering the seeds with that mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout in 2 to 10 days.

Acacia (wattle): Pour boiling water over the seeds and allow them to soak in the cooling water overnight. Then sow them 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3.2 to 6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-sowing mix. Keep the container at 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 5 days to 6 weeks.

Acanthus (bear's breeches): Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep their container at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 5 to 20 days or so.

Acer (maple): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months before moving the towel and baggie to a position where the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). The seeds often begin to sprout about 2 months after being placed inside the refrigerator and can be potted up at that time.

Achillea (yarrow): Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their container under the center of a grow light and keep it at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 2 to 3 weeks.

Acmella (spotflower): Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), and the seeds should sprout in 3 days.

Acnistus: Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 25 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 10 days to 7 weeks.

Actinidia (kiwi): Soak the seeds overnight in room-temperature water. Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 1 to 3 weeks.

Adenium (desert rose): Sow the seeds 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterilized cactus and citrus potting mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 4 to 15 days.

Agapanthus: Sow the seeds in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, barely covering the seeds with that mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 12 to 35 days.

Albizia (mimosa): Chip the seeds and soak them overnight in lukewarm water before sowing them 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 4 days to a week.

Albuca: Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their container under the center of a grow light and keep it at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, with germination times varying according to species.

Alcea (hollyhock): Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) and the seeds often will sprout in 3 to 10 days.

Allamanda: Plant the seeds so that they are standing upright in damp seed-starting mix, with their tips barely protruding above that mix. Keep the container at 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 6 to 20 days.

Allium (decorative types): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months before moving the towel and baggie to a position where the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). They should sprout shortly after being removed from the refrigerator.

Alonsoa: Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 9 days to a month.

Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily): Place the seeds inside a damp paper towel inside a baggie and keep them at 70 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 weeks. Then move the baggie and paper towel inside your refrigerator for 3 weeks. Afterwards, return them to the warm conditions, where they should begin to sprout within 2 weeks or so and can be potted up at that time.

Alyogyne (lilac hibiscus): Rub the rounded side of each seed againt an emery board or sandpaper until you break through the seed coat. Sow the seeds 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterilized cactus and citrus potting soil. Keep the container at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 29 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which often can take 20 days or more.

Alyssum: Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 5 days or so.

Amaranthus (amaranth): Sow the seeds in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, barely covering the seeds with that mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 2 to 5 days.

Amsonia (bluestar): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months before moving the towel and baggie to a position where the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). They should sprout shortly after being removed from the refrigerator.

Andrographis (green chiretta): Sow the seeds in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, barely covering the seeds with that mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 11 or 12 days.

Anemone: Because anemones have a wide range of germination requirements, according to species, you'll want to consult Norman Deno's Seed Germination Theory and Practice to find instructions for the one you wish to sow.

Anemonopsis (false anemone): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a plastic sandwich bag and keep them at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) for 3 months. Then place them in a refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) for 3 months. Repeat this process until the seeds sprout, which often can take as long as a year.

Angelica: In autumn or early winter press fresh seeds (those harvested the same year as their sowing) into the surface of damp and sterile seed-sowing mix, but don't cover them with that mix. Place their container in an outdoor location, such as a coldframe, over winter. They should sprout in about 55 to 60 days.

Angelonia: Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 5 days or so.

Anigozanthos (kangaroo paws): Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 2 to 6 weeks.

Anisodontea (cape mallow): Heat water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), drop your seeds into that water, and allow them to soak overnight as the water cools. Then sow the seeds 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 4 or 5 days.

Annona: Nick the seeds and soak them for 3 to 6 hours before sowing them 3/4 inch (19 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep their container at 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 28 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should germinate in 2 to 6 weeks.

Anthericum: Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months before moving them to a location with a 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) temperature. Once they begin to sprout, usually within 1 to 4 weeks after being removed from the refrigerator, pot them up in seed-starting mix.

Antirrhinum (snapdragon): Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their container under the center of a grow light and keep it at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 4 or 5 days.

Aquilegia (columbine): For the best germination, soak the seeds in a solution of gibberellic acid before sowing them. Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their container under the center of a grow light at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 1 to 12 weeks.

Araucaria: Soak your seeds for two days. Place them in a plastic bag in your refrigerator enclosed in a handful of damp sand or cactus potting soil for two weeks. Afterwards, plant each seed standing up in a 4-inch (102 mm) pot of potting soil, with its pointed end down and its tip just beneath the surface.

Place the container under a grow light at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Some of the seeds may begin sprouting in the refrigerator, and most will have finished sprouting within one month.

Arbutus (madrone): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a baggie in your refrigerator for 2 months, at which point they may begin to sprout. If not, sow them 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix, place them under a grow light, and they should germinate in about 2 weeks.

Arctotis (African daisy): Sow the seeds in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, barely covering them with that mix. Keep the container at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 8 to 13 days.

Ariocarpus: Sow the seeds in damp and sterilized cactus and citrus potting mix, barely covering them with that mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout.

Aristolochia (Dutchman's pipe): Plant the seeds so that they are standing upright in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, with their tips barely protruding above that mix. Keep the container at 77 to 80 degrees (25 to 27 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, their germination time varying according to species from 15 to 180 days.

Artichoke: Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until they sprout in 10 to 21 days. Keep in mind that most artichokes will require early planting and vernalization to fruit in their first year.

Asclepias (milkweed): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months. Then press them into the surface of damp and sterile seed starting mix, but don't cover them with that mix.

Place their container under a grow light and keep it at about 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which usually happens very soon after they have been removed from the refrigerator--or about 100 days from the time they were placed in it.

Asparagus: Soak the berries for about four days, changing their water frequently, until all the pulp is washed off of them. Discard any of the seeds that float in the water and sow only those that sink.

Plant them 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep the container at 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which can take 5 days to 2 months.

Aster: Sow the seeds 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-sowing mix. Keep their container at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 3 to 6 days

Astrantia (masterwort): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months before moving the towel and baggie to a position where the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Viable seeds often will begin to sprout while still in the refrigerator, about 66-78 days after they were placed there, but may wait until after they are moved to warm conditions to do so. You then can pot them up in damp and sterile seed-starting mix.