Stage 1 of 6
Germination
Getting a seed to sprout reliably before it ever touches soil.
Typical duration:2–10 days
What happens here
The seed absorbs water, its shell cracks, and a taproot emerges, followed by the first two rounded leaves (cotyledons) pushing up toward light.
Key tasks
- 1Soak seeds in room-temperature water for 12–24 hours, or use the damp-paper-towel method between two plates
- 2Keep the environment warm (70–85°F) and consistently moist, never soaking wet
- 3Once the taproot is about a quarter-inch long, plant it root-down, about half an inch deep, in light, well-draining starter soil
What to watch for
- A seed that hasn't cracked after 7–10 days likely won't — don't keep waiting past that
- Mold on the paper towel method usually means too much moisture, not too little
Ready for seedling when…
First two rounded cotyledon leaves have opened and the seedling is standing upright