Blog entry by Casie Guilfoyle
Children love watching seeds germinate. This is true especially when seeds sprout quickly. Alfalfa is an easy to grow seed that will develop within one week. For a chance to observe the seeds grow in the soil, sprinkle a few alfalfa seeds over a piece of wet paper towel.
You will require:
A packet of seeds from alfalfa (about 1.5g)
a small plate or saucer
Three pieces of paper towel
A spray mister , or a small water container
How to Develop
Get 3 pieces of paper towel, then lay them on top one another flat on a platter.
Then , drain the water from the plate. The paper towel needs to be damp, but the seeds shouldn't be floating in water.
Sprinkle the seeds thickly onto the paper towel.
Set it on a sunny window with water to stop the towel from drying. For wetting seeds, you can make use of a spray bottle or حشيشة السودان (supplemental resources) mister to do so. Or, gently add water to the saucer by using a cup or small jug.
Everyday, حشيشة السودان look over your seeds to determine how they're developing.
Troubleshooting
Alfalfa seeds are easy to grow and should be able to germinate in just 2-6 days. If seeds don't sprout during this time Here are some things that might have gone wrong:
Too dry. Seeds require water to develop. Alfalfa seeds absorb about 50% of their weight in water before they germinate, which makes them appear to be swollen. If your seeds are dry they will not sprout. Add more water to the plate to ensure that the seeds are damp but not floating. You can also soak the seeds over night; but make sure you drain them and rinse them with fresh water before spreading them on the paper towel.
Too wet:If the seeds are wet their new roots and sprouts could begin to rot before they are able to develop. The seeds may also become moldy. While it's acceptable to allow the paper towel and seeds to be damp however they shouldn't be submerged in water. Remove any excess water from the tray each when you water or mist the seeds.
Too cold or too hot: Alfalfa grows best at 20-25°C. If you are growing your seeds in winter, put them in a warm location inside. If you're growing your seeds in very hot temperatures, it is possible to water them more often because they'll dry out faster.