The Majestic Seed
As we were preparing our botanical garden for the year, I started contemplating the majestic seed. All plants come from this basic life seed structure that is truly magnificent. I am amazed at the diversity in the seed individuality of different plants and the process they go through in becoming plants.
The basics that seeds need to germinate and sprout in the ground:
Nutrient-rich soil
Water to sprout and grow
Sun (warmth and light) to flourish
To find out if seeds are viable, you can sprout them first. Start by soaking the seeds in filtered or purified water for 8-12 hours, filter off the water, and then leave in a dark warm environment. Rinse with purified water daily until they sprout. Once the sprouting process has begun, you can put them on the counter to have light. It can take seeds 7 to 20 days to sprout in the soil; however, pre-sprouting indoors only takes 2-4 days.
Sprouting seeds before planting cuts down on the germination process drastically. Once they sprout, they can be planted in containers or directly into the ground.
During the early stages of growth, the seedling depends on the seed's food supply until it is big enough for its leaves to begin making nourishment through photosynthesis.
Process of Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process through which plants convert light energy from the sun to chemical energy. The chemical energy is then stored as sugar. During photosynthesis, plants capture light energy and use it to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen (released into the air) and glucose (stored in the plant and used as food). The foremost thing that one needs to understand is that photosynthesis is vital for all lifeforms on the Earth and not just plants. The chemical energy stored in plants is transferred to animals and humans when they consume plant matter. It also helps in maintaining a healthy level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. All of the oxygen available for living organisms comes from plants!
Six factors that influence the rate of photosynthesis:
Temperature
Light intensity
Light wavelength
Carbon dioxide availability