Vinegar Is The Secret To Getting Plants To Germinate

[steamroller]

As any seasoned gardener knows, cultivating a lush and vibrant garden begins with the tiniest of miracles — seed germination. The anxious wait for seeds to germinate is a rite of passage we all must endure. Today, we're going to talk about an exciting technique that can supercharge the seed germination process by using an ingredient you already have in your kitchen: vinegar. So, if you're looking for ways to ensure successful germination and perhaps even speed it up, this handy vinegar hack can help.

The science behind vinegar's role in germination is straightforward. When vinegar is used as a priming agent for seed germination, the acetic acid it contains helps break down the hard seed coat, effectively breaking the period of seed dormancy. When a seed is dormant, its outer layer acts as a protective barrier, preventing water and oxygen from reaching the embryo. By soaking seeds in a vinegar solution, you're essentially providing a gentle chemical abrasion to the seed coat, allowing moisture and oxygen to penetrate the seeds more easily, and enhancing their rate of germination. To make your own seed-germinating solution, mix a teaspoon of white vinegar with one cup of water. Soak the seeds in the solution for 6 to 12 hours. Be sure you don't exceed this timeframe, as prolonged exposure to vinegar can harm some seeds.

 

[SSHZ]

I find that putting the seeds in a tiny box or container lined with light sand paper essentially does the same thing. Shake it a bit. That scratches open the shell to allow better water absorption, thus speeding things along.

 

[SSgrower]

H2o2 can detour or introduce negative affects, I quit using it. But if vinegar will help me i'm in. I'll try it. My germination skills in cannabis is poor. SSgrower

 

[Zen_seeker]

As any seasoned gardener knows, cultivating a lush and vibrant garden begins with the tiniest of miracles — seed germination. The anxious wait for seeds to germinate is a rite of passage we all must endure. Today, we're going to talk about an exciting technique that can supercharge the seed germination process by using an ingredient you already have in your kitchen: vinegar. So, if you're looking for ways to ensure successful germination and perhaps even speed it up, this handy vinegar hack can help.

The science behind vinegar's role in germination is straightforward. When vinegar is used as a priming agent for seed germination, the acetic acid it contains helps break down the hard seed coat, effectively breaking the period of seed dormancy. When a seed is dormant, its outer layer acts as a protective barrier, preventing water and oxygen from reaching the embryo. By soaking seeds in a vinegar solution, you're essentially providing a gentle chemical abrasion to the seed coat, allowing moisture and oxygen to penetrate the seeds more easily, and enhancing their rate of germination. To make your own seed-germinating solution, mix a teaspoon of white vinegar with one cup of water. Soak the seeds in the solution for 6 to 12 hours. Be sure you don't exceed this timeframe, as prolonged exposure to vinegar can harm some seeds.

Makes some sense. I know I have to leave the tomatoe seeds in the “gutts” a week or two before drying, if the seeds are going to germinate later. I wonder if it’s for that reason? Never looked into it.

 

[TomH]

H2o2 can detour or introduce negative affects, I quit using it. But if vinegar will help me i'm in. I'll try it. My germination skills in cannabis is poor. SSgrower

SS, can you expand upon the problems with using H2O2? I’ve had decent success in the past, but a few fails too. Wondering if peroxide was my nemesis!

Thank you!

 

[Pipecarver]

SS, can you expand upon the problems with using H2O2? I’ve had decent success in the past, but a few fails too. Wondering if peroxide was my nemesis!

Thank you!

I once saw a YT vid with 2 folks in white suits that looked like they knew what they were talking about, pocket protectors and all, one was a Dr. I remember.

They said that seeds release enzymes & micro nutrients in the water they germinate in and to use that water to pop the seeds by soaking your paper towel in it. They said those enzymes and micro nutrients help the seedling in the first few days of life, giving them a good strong start.......

So with my way of thinking...soaking 10 old seeds for 18 hrs, tossing those seeds and use the water the seeds were soaking in as a super juice to drop your good seeds in for an 18 hr soak.........

They looked legit, it sounds plausible and all the seeds I've tried popping that way have popped and grown.......I only use an oz of water at a time to pop seeds.

my thinking is vinegar wouldn't be helpful in that process.........

Did the folks you heard that from have white suits and pocket protectors?.....just saying........gotta check credentials you know......

 

[SSgrower]

Not properly temperature, I can't elaborate except for a finding it may injure the endo sphere of the seedling.