Go To Seed

 

 

 

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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.

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Plants Beginning with C

Cabbage: Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix and keep their container at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout in 4 to 7 days.

Cactus: Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterilized cactus and citrus potting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 6 to 16 days or so.

Caesalpinia (bird of paradise): The seeds must be fresh to germinate well. Chip them and soak them overnight before sowing them 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed sowing mix. Keep the container at 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 5 to 28 days.

Calceolaria (pocketbook flower): 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 a grow light at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 5 days or so.

Calendula (pot marigold): Sow the seeds 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 3 to 7 days.

Callistemon (bottlebrush): Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place the container under the center of a grow light at 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout in 4 to 15 days.

Callistephus (China aster): Sow the seeds 1/16-inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep their container at 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout in 10 to 14 days.

Calotropis (giant milkweed): Sow the seeds in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, barely covering the seeds with that mix. Keep the container at about 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 25 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout. That can occur in 5 days for fresh seeds, but may take a month or more for older ones.

Calycanthus (sweetshrub or spicebush): Nick the seeds and soak them overnight before sowing them 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 14 days or so.

Camellia: Soak fresh seeds overnight and sow them 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, so that the eye faces either downwards or to the side. You may also want to lightly crack each seed's shell before soaking it, as that can speed up germination.

Keep the container at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which can take as long as 25 days to several months.

Campanula (bellflower): 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 a grow light at about 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 7 days or so.

Campsis (trumpet vine): Strip the wings and membranes from the seeds. Plant them standing upright in damp and sterile seed starting mix, with their tips just protruding from the mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which can take 3 weeks for stripped seeds and 6 weeks for unstripped ones.

Canarina (Canary Island bellflower): 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 a grow light at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 20 days or so.

Canna: Pour boiling water over the seeds and allow them to sit in the cooling water overnight before sowing them 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep their container at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout in 5 days or so.

Capparis (caperbush): Soak the seeds overnight in 105-degree water (40 degrees Celsius). Then place them inside damp paper towels in a baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months. After giving them another warm water soak, move their towel and baggie to a location with a 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) temperature. Once they begin to sprout, pot them up in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. 

Caralluma: Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterilized cactus and citrus potting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their containers under the center of a grow light at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 4 days or so.

Carica (papaya): Soak the seeds overnight before sowing them 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep their container at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, often in as little as 2 days.

Carrot: Sow carrot seeds directly into your garden about a month before your last frost date, planting them 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep. Cover their row with damp burlap until the seeds sprout, which can take 1 to 3 weeks.

Caryopteris (blue mist bush): 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 a grow light at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 4 days or so.

Cassia: Sand the seeds by shaking them in a capped small jare--such as a baby food jar--lined with sandpaper before soaking them overnight. Then sow them 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep their container at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 5 days or so.

Cauliflower: Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.4mm) deep in damp and sterile seed sowing mix. Keep their container at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, after which you should move it to a location where the temperature remains around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

Celery: Sow celery seeds 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep indoors--about 10 weeks before your last frost date--in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep their container at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 1 to 3 weeks.

Celosia (cockscomb): Sow the seeds in damp and sterile seed-starting mix, barely covering the seeds with that mix. Keep the container at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 8 to 14 days.

Cephalaria (giant scabious): Sow the seeds 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep their container at 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 1 to 3 weeks.

Ceratotheca (African foxglove): Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep their container at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 3 days or so.

Cercis (redbud): Pour boiling water over the seeds and allow them to soak in the cooling water overnight. Then place them inside a damp paper towel in a baggie in your refrigerator for 2 months before moving them to a warm location. Once they begin to sprout, pot them up in damp and sterile seed-starting mix.

Cerinthe (honeywort): Sow the seeds 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep their container at about 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 4 days or so.

Cestrum: Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep the container at about 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 25 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which can take 3 to 6 weeks.

Chorizema (flame pea): Pour boiling water over the seeds and allow them to sit in the cooling water overnight. After draining the seeds, sow them 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deep in sterilized cactus and citrus potting soil. Keep the container at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 12 to 20 days.

Chrysanthemum: Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Keep the container at about 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 10 to 15 days.

Cimicifuga (bugbane or cohosh): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag at a location with a 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) temperature for three months. Then move the towel and baggie into your refrigerator for an additional three months before returning them to warm conditions. Once the seeds begin to sprout, often while they are in the refrigerator, pot them up in seed-starting mix.

Cisanthe (rock purslane): Press the seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don’t cover them with the mix. Keep the container at about 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in about 7 days.

Cistus (rock rose): 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 about 20 days.

Citrus: Take citrus seeds directly from the fruits, as seeds which aren't fresh seldom germinate. Clean the pulp from the seeds and soak them in water for several hours. Then sow them at a depth equal to two times their length in damp and sterilized cactus and citrus potting soil. If kept at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), the seeds should sprout in 2 to 8 weeks.

Clarkia: 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 about 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 3 to 10 days. These plants are very susceptible to damping off, so water them from below with a peroxide solution.

Clematis: Because clematises 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. 

Cleome: 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 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 2 to 21 days.

Clerodendrum (glorybower): Sow the seeds 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout in about 18 to 30 days.

Clitoria: Chip a tiny piece out of the rounded side of each seed and soak all the seeds overnight. Sow them 1/16-inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix.  Keep the container at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, often in as little as 2 days.

Clivia: Soak the seeds in a fungicide for a day before pressing them partway into sterilized cactus and citrus potting mix, making sure that the eyes are pointing to the side and covered. Keep their container at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout in 1 to 6 weeks.

Clytostoma (lavender trumpet vine): Soak the seeds overnight amd place them between damp paper towels inside a plastic baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months. Then move their towel and baggie to a location with a 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) temperature. Once the seeds begin to sprout, pot them up in seed-starting mix. 

Cobaea (cup and saucer vine): 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 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in about 7 days.

Codariocalyx: Pour boiling water over the seeds and allow them to soak in the cooling water overnight. Sow those seeds 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep their container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, often in 3 days.

Codonopsis: 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 about 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in about 1 to 3 weeks.

Coffea (coffee): Coffee seeds should be no more than 3 months old to germinate best. Soak the seeds overnight and sow them, flat side down, 1/2 inch deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep the container at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which can take as long as 30 to 75 days.

Colchicum (autumn crocus): Place the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag at a location with a 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) temperature for three months. Then move their towel and baggie into your refrigerator, where roots may begin to sprout after about a month to six weeks. Leave the seeds in the refrigerator until leaves begin to emerge as well before potting them up in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. 

Coleus: 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 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 7 to 14 days.

Commelina (dayflower): Sow the seeds 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which often can take as long as 30 days or more.

Convolvulus (bindweed): Soak the seeds overnight and sow them 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 10 days or so.

Cordyline (ti plant): Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix and keep them at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 22 degrees Celsius) until they sprout, which can take as long as 2 to 3 months.

Coreopsis: 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 (20 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 2 to 30 days.

Cornus (dogwood): If your seeds are still inside the berries, soak those berries in water for about a week--changing that water frequently, until all of the pulp is washed off. Then place the seeds between damp paper towels inside a plastic baggie in your refrigerator for 3 months. Afterwards, move their towel and baggie to a location with a 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) temperature. Once the seeds begin to sprout, either inside the refrigerator or out, pot them up in damp and sterile seed-starting mix.

 

Corydalis (fumitory): Seeds must be very fresh to germinate well. Place them in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag at a location with a 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) temperature for three months. Then move them into your refrigerator, where they may begin to sprout within a few days to a few weeks and can then be potted up in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. 

Cosmos: Sow the seeds 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed-starting mix. Keep the container at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, often in as little as 2 days.

Cotyledon: Press the seeds into the surface of damp cactus and citrus potting soil, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their container under the center of a grow light at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in about 5 days.

Cousinia (Thomson's thistle): Press the seeds into the surface of damp cactus and citrus potting soil, but don’t cover them with the mix. Place their container under the center of a grow light at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and the seeds should sprout in 12 days or so.

Crambe: Remove the seed casings before planting your seeds. Sow them 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix and keep the container at about 60 degrees (15 degees Celsius) until they sprout, often within 4 days.

Crinum: Seeds must be fresh to germinate well. Press those seeds into the surface of damp and sterile seed-starting mix, but don't cover them with that mix. Place their container under the center of a grow light at 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout. They usually make a root first after a couple weeks or so, and it may take a month or 6 weeks more until they begin to send up sprouts.

Crocanthemum (Carolina rock rose): Pour boiling water over the seeds and allow them to sit in the cooling water overnight before pressing them into the surface of damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep their container at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 2 weeks or so.

Crossandra (firecracker flower): 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 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, which may take as little as 5 days or as long as 40 days.

Crotalaria (rattlepod): Pour boiling water over the seeds and allow them to sit in the cooling water overnight before sowing them 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep the container at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 10 to 21 days.  

Cryptostegia (rubber vine): Sow the seeds 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterilized cactus and citrus potting soil and keep them at 40 degrees (4.5 degrees Celsius) until they sprout in about 20 days.

Cucumber: Sow the seeds 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) deep directly into your garden after the last frost when the soil temperature has reached at least 50 degrees (10 degrees Celsius). They should sprout in 3 to 10 days.

Cuphea: 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 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in 3 to 13 days.

Cyathea (tree fern): Scatter the spores over the surface of damp and sterile seed starting mix and keep their container at about 77 degrees (25 degees Celsius) until they germinate, which can take as long as 3 months or more.

Cycad: Soak the seeds for 2 days. Plant them upright, pushing them halfway into damp and sterile seed starting mix with the most scarred end down. Keep their container at 75 to 90 degrees (25 to 30 degrees Celsius) until they begin sprouting, which can take as long as 1 to 2 months.

Cyclamen: Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Cover their container with aluminum foil and keep it at about 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in about 30 days.

Cynara (artichoke): Sow the seeds 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep their container at about 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in about 22 days.

Cyphomandra (tree tomato): Sow the seeds 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deep in damp and sterile seed starting mix. Keep their container at about 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) until the seeds sprout, usually in about 21 days.