Every plant and every seed has proteins called photoreceptors that respond to sunlight. The resulting changes in the seeds are a prerequisite for germination.
Light and dark germs are like day and night
In addition to water, temperature and oxygen, light and darkness also have an influence on germination. While some need a lot of light, others can sprout or sprout. Hinder growth. As a rule, the decisive factor is not the light intensity, but the light quality. But there are also seeds that germinate independently of light, so-called light-neutral germ types.
Light germs
As the name suggests, light germs need enough light to germinate. With the help of their photoreceptor proteins, they can perceive certain light spectra that start the germination process.
- Light germs use short-wave, bright red spectral range of light
- Seeds of these plants are usually very small and light
- They hardly contain any nutrient tissue or only a few storage substances
- Needed for germination and in the first few days and weeks of growth
- The shoots of the seedlings are usually weak
- In the absence of light, young plants cannot penetrate dense soil layers
- The seeds usually do not germinate
- Light germs include some herbs, vegetables, berries and ornamental plants
Tip: If you were to irradiate light-germinating seeds with dark red light, for example, germination would not occur.
Notes on sowing
In principle, seeds should always be placed twice as deep as they are themselves thick. This means that the tiny seeds of light germs are only covered very thinly with fine sand or earth. The layer of fine sand should not be thicker than a single seed. This would also have the advantage that the seeds cannot be blown away. If the plants are grown indoors, it is advisable in most cases to bring the sowing container with you Cover with translucent film to increase the humidity and prevent germination support.
Tip: After the seeds are distributed on the substrate, they should be pressed gently so that they come into contact with the soil.
Examples of light germs
Light germinating
Herbs- basil
- cress
- dill
- lavender
- thyme
- rosemary
- sage
- tarragon
- chamomile
- peppermint
- marjoram
- Lemon balm
- Savory
- mugwort
- Lemon balm
- oregano
- Caraway seed
vegetables
- Various lettuce and leaf salads
- celery
- tomatoes
Berry
- raspberry
- blackberry
Ornamental plants
- geranium
- Horned violets
- Primroses
- Venus flytrap
- Busy Lizzie
- Elven mirror
- Levkoye
- Snapdragon
- Ice plant
- Midday gold
- Pampas grass
Dark germ
The largest part of all garden plants belong to the dark germs. In contrast to light germs, the action of light tends to inhibit their germination. You use long-wave light or the long-wave, dark red components of the light that is able to penetrate the uppermost soil layers. As a result, the seeds have to be put deeper into the soil and the germination process started.
The seeds of these plants are large and thick. They contain significantly more reserve substances. As a result, they drive out more powerfully and can easily find their way through the earth to the surface. Of course, the seeds of dark germs can also rot in the soil, which is usually due to too much moisture.
Notes on sowing
As already mentioned, the seeds are put into the earth to a depth that corresponds to twice the seed strength and covered with earth or sand. In the case of light soils, the sowing depth can also be a little deeper. In heavy soils that tend to be silted up, the seeds should not be inserted as deeply as possible. The exact sowing depths
can usually be found on the seed sachets of the respective manufacturer. In addition to the optimal depth, a balanced supply of water should not be neglected.Tip: After germination, of course, the plants of dark germs also need light for photosynthesis.
Examples of dark germs
Herbs
Parsley, chives, borage, nasturtiums, lovage, lemongrass, coriander, chives
vegetables
- aubergine
- Lamb's lettuce
- cucumber
- pumpkin
- Sunflower
- zucchini
- Corn
- French beans
- cauliflower
- Chillies
- peas
- Cabbage
- Swiss chard
- Carrots
- paprika
- leek
- radish
- radish
- beetroot
- spinach
- Onions
- Salsify
Ornamental plants
- Monkshood
- fuchsia
- Pansy
- Hollyhock
- lupine
- snowdrop
- delphinium
- lily
- Asters
- Mug mallow
- Cornflower
- Morning glory
- Marigold
- Gypsophila
- Bell vine
- Christmas rose
- Cranesbill
- zinnia
- Marigold
- Jewelry basket
Light neutral bucket
The so-called light-neutral buckets also count among the different types of germs. Here germination takes place regardless of exposure to light. That said, it doesn't matter whether the seeds are covered with soil or not. This includes, in particular, plants that grow in places with frequently changing light conditions. They are the least picky about and tolerate both low and intense exposure. This type of germ can be found under most useful plants and summer flowers such as B. coriander and Sunflowers.
