As a rule, dark germs are already introduced into the soil as seeds. There they can be protected from the sun's rays that prevent them from germinating. Brightness germinate and grow.
Typical dark germs
Christmas rose, delphinium, monkshood, cork's bill, lupins, tansy, Persian speedwell, wheat, corn, cyclamen, maiden-in-the-green, pechnelke, petunia, Hollyhock, forget-me-not, chestnut, hemp, liver balm, midday gold, flour sage, fire sage, violets in general, lettuce, borage, French beans, chicory, Lamb's lettuce, cucumber, nasturtium, carrots, Swiss chard, melon, pimpinelle, runner bean, broad bean, beetroot, coriander, lovage, chives, chives, Peas,
Pumpkin, zucchini, mallow and many more.Germination and light
Seeds need soil to germinate. It's damp and dark. However, some plant species need it particularly dark. Plant seeds have photoreceptor proteins (phytochromes). These measure the ratio of different wavelengths of light. It is assumed that dark germs register very long-wave light. This light is able to penetrate the uppermost soil layers. Therefore the seeds have to be brought deeper into the earth.
Germination and temperature
There are light and dark germs, but more important than these are the right temperatures and even moisture for germination. There are warm
and cold germs. The corresponding germination temperatures are usually indicated on the seed sachets. Some seeds need temperatures below 10 ° C to sprout, others even need frost. Without cold, nothing happens to the seeds. However, they can start to rot.Special germination method for dark germs
You use two cellulose handkerchiefs for this. The seeds are placed between these unfolded handkerchiefs. The package is placed on a large plate. Then the cloths are sprayed thoroughly. They must be well moistened. The plate is wrapped in cling film and sealed airtight. If you have space, you can put the plate on a window sill above the heater. After germination, the seedlings can be planted in soil.
It is important to check regularly for mold formation. Moldy seeds must be removed immediately! The cloths must be kept evenly moist, but not too wet! It is best to allow large seeds to soak in advance for 24 hours!
Notes on care
Dark germs can be found in many
Plant families. Dark germinating grain is, for example, corn and wheat, coriander and borage form the spices the dark germ fraction, the Christmas rose, the delphinium and the monkshood are among the dark germinating ones Flower.With many dark germs, it is not enough to cover the seeds with soil. Most of them also need a dark room to germinate. The soil is applied to the seeds of the dark germs about two to four times higher than the seed thickness.
A balanced supply of water is also important. This must not be too much or too little. If the conditions for the dark germs are right, you can see the germs after just a few days. These, in turn, generally want sufficient brightness to grow.
After germination, the dark germs should be treated just like other plants. Either they are now kept protected from the weather until they reach a certain size or they are immediately suitable for outdoor use. That depends on the type of dark germ.