How to quickly test cucumber seeds for germination in water, sawdust, and a paper roll

Preparing seeds for planting is the first key step in growing vegetable crops. How do you check the quality of cucumber seeds and test their germination in water? This quick method has been used by gardeners for decades. The seeds are quickly discarded, and you can simultaneously treat them with an antiseptic by adding a drop of iodine, potassium permanganate, or brilliant green to the water.

The Importance of Checking Seeds Before Sowing

To get an idea of ​​the quality of the seed material, future embryos should be tested for germination and infertile seeds should be discarded.

Pre-sowing treatment is the key to achieving uniform germination and strong, healthy seedlings. Seed packets from certified manufacturers often have the germination rate calculated and stated. However, sometimes gardeners use their own, self-collected seeds of non-hybrid crops. In this case, testing is essential to improve the quality of the future seedlings.

Preliminary testing allows for accurate prediction of results, saving gardeners effort and reducing material costs.

What is meant by seed germination?

Cucumber germination is the percentage of healthy, strong seeds compared to sterile, underdeveloped ones in a single batch.

Empty seed coats without an embryo are considered defective and cannot be used to produce seedlings. Such specimens can be identified during the initial inspection; infertile seed coats vary in color, size, weight, and density.

What is the germination rate?

The germination rate stated on manufacturers' packaging is called laboratory germination. It has been tested and calculated empirically.

As a rule, the germination rate of such cucumbers is almost 100 percent, which often raises doubts among gardeners.

In fact, there's no deception here. Certified companies conduct laboratory tests under ideal conditions. It's impossible to conduct such studies at home. Therefore, "home" germination is always lower than laboratory germination; this is called field germination. It is determined directly in the field by the number of seedlings.

What can affect seed germination?

Good germination and uniform sprouting of cucumbers is achieved due to:

• Temperature and humidity balance.
• Storage conditions of seed material.
• Soil quality and composition.
• Compliance with sowing dates.
• Amount of daylight.
• Regularity of watering.

To reduce the risk of cucumbers failing to germinate, it's essential to purchase products from certified producers of reputable varieties listed in the State Register. Home-harvested seeds should be obtained from ripe, non-hybrid varieties. Store seeds in a dark, dry place at a temperature no higher than 20°C.

Note: The expiration date is an important parameter indicated on the seed packaging. Seeds with an expired expiration date are unsuitable for use, and their germination rate will be low.

How to determine germination at home

Determining germination at home isn't difficult. First, visually inspect the seed and calibrate it. Any embryos that are underweight, different in color, or different in size should be removed.

Also, the future sprouts should not have an unpleasant smell, they should be clean and dry.

We discard bad seeds using a spray bottle

This method is the basis of the soilless method of growing seedlings. The seeds are spread on plastic film and moistened with a spray bottle several times. The future seedlings are then covered with a layer of plastic film, with small holes punched in it.

Embryos with a positive development prognosis will absorb water and swell, and within a few days the first shoots will emerge. Dry, empty shells should be removed.

A quick way to reject empty seeds in water

You can quickly identify defective, dead cucumber embryos using a simple method. Place the seeds in a glass of warm water. First, calibrate the seeds, removing those of unsuitable size and density. Within 10 minutes, all seeds with a positive growth forecast will settle to the bottom. Empty, non-viable specimens will float to the surface and can be removed with a spoon.

Testing seed germination in salted water

If a water and salt solution is used to test germination, this simultaneously prepares the embryos for seedling transplantation. The future cucumber seedlings undergo a disinfection procedure.

Add 1 teaspoon of salt to one glass of water and stir thoroughly. Unsprouted cucumbers will float to the surface and can be removed.

Study of seed germination in sawdust

An interesting and effective way to determine germination is to germinate seeds in sawdust:

• Sawdust is disinfected and moistened by scalding with boiling water.
• Processed sawdust is spread into a container (you can use seedling boxes) in an even layer of 6 centimeters.
• Cucumbers, soaked for 1 hour in warm water, are placed on sawdust on top of sawdust, without digging in, at a distance of 2 centimeters from each other; the number of seeds must be remembered.
• The remaining disinfected sawdust is scattered on top in a 1-centimeter layer.
• The box is covered with film and placed in a well-lit place.
• It is necessary to spray the future seedlings with a small amount of warm water from a spray bottle every day.

After 3-4 days, you can evaluate the result and calculate the germination rate - the ratio of the total number of seeds to the number of young sprouts.

Determination of seed viability in a paper roll

The method is similar sprouting cucumbers in sawdustThe main tool you can use is paper towels or toilet paper, which must be moistened with water.

Important! Spread the seeds on damp paper with the sprouts facing down.

Cucumber seeds are planted 3-4 centimeters apart. The laid seeds are covered with a single layer of paper. The length of the "paper greenhouse" is approximately 50 centimeters. Germination occurs in a warm, well-lit area. As the paper dries, the sprouts are moistened with a spray bottle. After 6-7 days, the paper is unrolled and the number of sprouts is counted.

Factors that increase germination

To increase the number of cucumbers that sprout, some subtle tricks are used. Growth stimulants can speed up seed germination: cucumbers will sprout and germinate faster.

Important! Use growth stimulants only when necessary and only during the germination and pipping stages of the seeds, in the quantities indicated on the packaging.

Soaking in growth stimulants typically lasts eight hours. This time is sufficient to increase germination and the speed of germination, as well as stimulate metabolic processes in the future seedlings. After soaking, the seeds are washed and dried. Growth stimulants increase germination by an average of 20 percent.

Using dry heating or heating in water.

Dry heating is most effective for young seeds collected last year. Place the seedlings in a canvas bag and place them on a radiator or heater. The temperature should not exceed 60°C for 30 minutes.

Warming in water is carried out at a temperature of 60°C. The cucumber embryos are filled with moisture, warmed up, and awakened.

Pre-sowing treatment is a set of necessary measures aimed at improving the germination and quality of seedlings. You can quickly and easily determine the number of germinating cucumbers at home. This procedure can be combined with antiseptic treatment of the seed.