• Flower seeds have specific growth requirements.Flowers image by Andrew Podlaski from Fotolia.com
  
  Germination is the process by which a seed starts to grow. Flower seeds come in all shapes and sizes but they all contain food to give the new plant a head start. This food is stored in cotyledons, which are surrounded by a protective seed covering. Though there are several types of flower seeds with individual growing needs, they do share three main requirements to germinate.
  
  

Oxygen

• Flower seeds need to be planted in soils that are rich in nutrients and oxygen. The soil should be light and airy. Hard packed soil keeps oxygen from getting to the seeds. Soils are available that have been sterilized to keep harmful substances from damaging the growing seedling. Flower seeds should not be planted too deeply. If they are too far beneath the ground, the seedling does not have enough stored energy within the seed to help it break the soil surface.
  
  

Water

• Flower seeds need water to germinate. The outer layer that protects the seed must be softened so that the seedling can break through. As the seed swells with moisture, the outer layer bursts allowing the root to emerge and grow downwards. The root starts to take in the soil's nutrients. At the same time the seedling heads for the surface. Moist soil makes it easier for both of these parts to move through the earth. Too much moisture creates soggy conditions and can cause the seed to die.
  
  

Warmth

• Flower seeds generally require warmer temperatures to germinate. Wild flowers tend to emerge in the spring after the soils have had sufficient sunlight. Flower seeds can be forced to germinate off-season in a hot house or indoors but still need adequate warmth to make the process successful. Some growers use heat mats, grow lights or even just a sunny window to get the soil up to the 65 to 70 degree mark. This is the temperature that many flower seeds require to germinate.