From Seed to Seedling
Plant mortality is highest at the seed to seedling stage. Every seed is really a structure that embodies and protects the baby plant or embryo, plus a certain amount of food to tide it over the early stages of germination and growth. The moment a seed is wakened from its suspended animation and begins to grow it becomes vulnerable, not only to insects, bird, and animal life, but to conditions present in its environment. Although the hereditary characteristics of the plant are already fixed in the seed, health, vigor, and constitution are greatly affected by its germination and growth from seed to seedling. The more robust, thriving, and successful plants come from seeds that germinate quickly and grow without check. The gardener's task at sowing time is to establish those most conducive to ready germination. The majority of actively growing plants contain about 90 per cent of their weight in water. Seeds contain only about 10 per cent of their weight in water. Moisture is therefor...