Soak tomato seeds in water for faster germination (2024)

FAQs

Soak tomato seeds in water for faster germination? ›

The technique is proven by biological scientist. During the study the tomato seeds were soaked for 12, 24 and 36 hours, and the best results were achieved after a 24 hour soak. So if you have older seeds or you late with the sowings then you can just soak the tomato seeds in water for a day to speed up the germination.

Some seeds take a long time to germinate, and seed soaking can help to speed up the process. By soaking seeds in lukewarm water for 8-12 hours (some can go up to 24 hours, but never more than that), you help the seed to break dormancy and germinate faster.

The growing mix should be moist, but not wet, to aid germination. Seeds don't need light to germinate, although after germination, you should ideally give the seedlings 14 or more hours of light a day.

Place the seeds in small container in lukewarm water, they don't need to go in the fridge at all, you can just leave the seeds on the windowsill or the counter at room temperature for 24 hours. If you want to sow the tomato seeds sooner and you do not want to wait that long, even 2 – 4 hours of soaking helps.

When completely immersed in water, the proper oxygen exchange (aeration) does not take place which prevents the full germination. The oxygen which is dissolved in water does not enters the seed due to excess water thus preventing germination.

For example, the optimum temperature range for tomatoes is 65° to 85°F (see previous chart). Within that range, it takes approximately 6 to 8 days before seeds germinate. Tomato seeds may still germinate at 50°F, but it will take over 40 days, and there will probably be no germination if the soil temperature is 104°F.

Germination Conditions

Tomato seeds do not need light to germinate, but they do need proper warmth and moisture. Temperatures around 70 degrees are ideal. Temperatures between 50 and 75 also work.

A heat mat speeds germination. Most seeds require temperatures of 65° to 75°F to germinate. Placing seed containers near an existing heater or using a space heater with the proper precautions can raise the ambient temperature as needed.

Tomato seeds usually germinate in 7 to 14 days if you maintain a steady temperature of 21 degrees celsius. Pot on the tomato seedlings as soon as they're big enough to handle. Hold the plants by the leaves, taking care not to touch the stems, and transplant them into 7.5cm (3in) pots.

How do you quick start tomato seeds? ›

Cover loosely with plastic wrap to conserve moisture, and place your seeds in a dark, warm location, preferably between 70°F to 80°F. When your seeds start sprouting, usually within 1 to 2 weeks, move them to a sunny spot or under artificial lights.

Pinching out your tomatoes is an essential part of tomato plant care. The reason for this is the tomato plant is a naturally bushy plant, and if you let it grow as it wants to, it will put all of its focus into growing foliage at the expense of fruit.

Using a seedling heat mat under your seed trays or pots can provide the consistent warmth tomato seeds need to sprout faster. Aim for a temperature between 75–85°F (24–29°C) for optimal results. Tomato seeds require consistent moisture to germinate successfully.

Step 2: After slicing off the end of the tomato, hold the tomato in between your thumb and other fingers and hold it over a large bowl. Squeeze the tomato with your fingers until the seeds and juice release into the bowl. This is an effective method for removing the core of smaller tomatoes too, if you so desire.

1. Scrape or squeeze seeds from your best ripened tomatoes – let them sit in some of their tomato juice for 4 to 5 days. They will start looking white/moldy. Place the seeds in a larger container – fill with water.

Percentage germination of non soaked seeds was 62.2% against 26.7% and 24.4% recorded for seeds soaked for 24 h and 48 h, respectively (Table 3). ... ... effect of cold water on seed germination gave a result contrary to what would be expected as it impeded germination.

Water is considered the primary germination regulator, as germination begins with seed imbibition. Sufficient moisture must be present for germination to take place. Some research studies stated that a lack of water availability is the primary limitation affecting seed germination [14,15].

While some sunken seeds will germinate and some floating seeds will fail to sprout, there isn't a strong correlation between buoyancy and viability. Generally larger seeds are better for this test than smaller ones. Therefore, you shouldn't rely on the sink/float test to determine which to discard and which to plant.