What happens if you plant a seed sideways?

Seeds planted with the radicle up or sideways will still grow, but to get sprouts above ground quicker, plant seeds with the radicle side down. The radicle is on the tip of pointed seeds, such as watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and squash (Cucurbita species).

Which seedlings should be pinched?

It forces most plants to grow bushier and fuller rather than concentrating their energy on getting taller. Basil, tarragon, thyme, sage, scented geraniums and marigolds respond well to pinching.

Why do seeds need to be spaced apart?

Spacing your plants appropriately reduces the risk of disease in two ways: contagion and improved immune system. It is easy for disease to spread from one plant to another if the plants are growing on top of one another, so plants growing too closely together are not as healthy as plants with enough space.

Does seed spacing affect germination?

Space and shaken seeds showed statistically faster germination rates than ground seeds. Space seeds had the highest germination rates.

What would happen if you accidentally planted a seed wrong side up?

The radicle is located differently depending on the type of seed, but the important thing to remember is that if you accidentally plant a seed with its radicle facing in the “wrong” direction (upward), the stem and root will change direction naturally due to geotropism, thereby correcting the issue.

Which way do you plant a bean seed?

Beans should be planted on their side with the radicle down, and Fava beans vertical with their dark spot on the bottom. The dark spot on the Fava beans is the radicle and should be planted downwards. The radicle on the beans is the white spot and should be planted downwards.

Should all seedlings be pinched out?

Not all plants benefit from pinching back, and some can be fatally damaged when pinched to excess. Plants that grow to be naturally bushy do not need to be pinched out. All you do is slow down the natural growth process and may result in a smaller yield.

Should I remove cotyledons?

Cotyledons store food for the developing plant before true leaves appear and photosynthesis begins. As true leaves grow, cotyledons gradually die and drop off. Cutting off any plant’s cotyledons generally is not a good idea but is occasionally necessary.

What happens if seeds are planted too close together?

Crowded plants not only discourage growth, they encourage pests and disease. Crowded seedlings shade each other from the sun. As they get larger, it only gets worse. Crowded root vegetables, including turnips, beets, and radishes, won’t develop useable roots if they’re crowded.

Why is row spacing important?

The Importance of Row Spacing Narrow row spacing reduces the time the crop needs to close the canopy, thereby providing rapid shading and decreasing weeds’ competitive abilities and simultaneously decreasing the reliance on herbicides later in the season.

What happens if you sow seeds too deep?

ANSWER: Seeds that are planted too deep in the soil may grow into weak, feeble seedlings or fail to germinate at all. If it’s been buried too far under the surface of the soil, the seed may not get the light it requires to sprout.

Why do some seeds fail to germinate?

Too much or too little water is the most likely reason for seeds not germinating. With too little or no water, seeds remain dormant. With too much water, seeds become susceptible to rot or infection from soil-borne fungi (also referred to as “dampening off”).