germination testing at home
DESCRIPTION
How to test the germination of your seeds at home with household materials. Video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPLJk0kBcMgTRANSCRIPT
Presented by Andrea Springmeier
2012 Seed Savers Exchange Webinar Series
Home Germination Testing
Our mission is to save North America’s diverse, but endangered, garden heritage for future generations by building a network of people committed to collecting, conserving, and sharing heirloom seeds and plants, while educating people about the value of genetic and cultural diversity.
Gathering Supplies
papertowels
plasticbags
thermometer
cup or container
spray bottle
rubberbands
nailclipper
pencil
Supplies• thermometer• plastic bags or plastic wrap• rubber bands• pencil or marker• paper towels• cup or container• spray bottle
• nail clippers or razor blade
Seed and Sprout Parts
seed coat(testa)
hypocotyl
cotyledon
primaryleaves
future root(radicle)
Germination Requirements
Test Setup
Evaluation
lategerminatoror abnormalseedling
goodgermination
molddiscoloration
cracks
hilum
nick
nick
(healthy seedlings)
(total seeds tested)x 100 = germination rate
(healthy seedlings)
(total seeds tested)x 100 = germination rate
20 / 25 x 100 = 80%
2012 Seed Savers Exchange Webinar Series
Thank You!Additional Resources
Seed to Seed, Suzanne Ashworth
A Seed Saving Guide for Gardeners and Farmers,Organic Seed Alliance
www.seedsavers.org/site/pdf/HomeGermTests_LAFrevised.pdf