- The medium is a substance that holds moisture, like a paper towel, peat pot or soil. The medium should retain water yet allow oxygen to reach developing roots.
- Seeds need water to germinate. Water penetrates the seed coat, starts the seed's metabolism and brings the seed out of dormancy. Germinating seeds should not be allowed to dry out because they depend on available moisture to develop.
- Air is another important component to seed germination because plants and seeds "breathe" like all living things. Seeds can be soaked in water to initiate germination but should be removed after 24 hours and placed in growing medium.
- Some seeds require light to germinate, especially small seeds and plants adapted to growing on the forest floor. Light "tells" the seed that it is not in deep shade and should initiate germination. These seeds should be placed on the medium's surface, not buried.
- Some seeds requires special treatment to germinate. Scarification is simply scratching the hard seed coat to allow water and oxygen penetrate the seed. Some seeds require soaking in special plant hormones to bring the seed out of dormancy. Finally, certain seeds, like lettuce, need special temperatures to germinate. Lettuce seeds will not grow if the temperature averages above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the instructions on the seed pack or a reference a plant guide for more information.
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