Spinach germination method and time

Spinach seeds have thick seed coats and absorb water slowly, so if they are sown directly, they will germinate slowly. Therefore, it is best to germinate the spinach seeds before sowing. Correct germination treatment is conducive to uniform, complete and rapid germination. So what is the method and time for germinating spinach? Let’s learn more about it below.

Spinach germination time

Spinach can be germinated and planted all year round, but autumn is the best time. Note that before germination, you need to choose seeds that are full, healthy, undamaged, and have good color, and the germination temperature should be controlled at 15-20℃.

Spinach germination method

1. Warm water soaking method

(1) Soak the seeds in warm water for 12-24 hours. The water temperature is generally 50-55°C. Stir the seeds constantly during this period to ensure even heating.

(2) After soaking, remove the seeds and drain the water, then perform low-temperature treatment. Place the seeds in a low-temperature environment of about 4°C for 24 hours to enhance the seeds' resistance to stress.

(3) Wrap the soaked seeds with wet cloth and place them in a warm, humid place to germinate. The germination temperature is generally 15-20°C. Rinse with clean water 1-2 times a day to keep the seeds moist.

2. Temperature change treatment method

(1) Soak the seeds in cold water at a temperature of about 15°C for about a day and a night.

(2) Take out the seeds, wrap them with gauze, and place them in a 3-degree environment for low-temperature refrigeration. The refrigeration time is generally about 10-12 hours.

(3) Take out the seeds and place them in a shaded environment at 16-18°C for germination. Rinse the surface of the seeds with clean water every day. When about 75% of the seeds are white, they can be sown.

3. Hydrogen peroxide treatment

(1) Add hydrogen peroxide stock solution to water at a ratio of 1:45 to prepare an aqueous solution (hydrogen peroxide).

(2) Pour the seeds into the solution and stir while pouring so that the seeds absorb water evenly. Soak the seeds for 2 hours when the temperature is low and for 1 hour when the temperature is high.

(3) After taking the seeds out of the solution, rinse them with clean water for 3-4 times, drain the water, place them in a container, and cover them with a wet cloth to accelerate germination. If the seeds are moderately mature and plump, generally more than 85% of the seeds will germinate within 5-7 days.

In general, spinach is not very demanding in terms of the time required for germination, and under suitable conditions, it can generally germinate and emerge successfully within 3-7 days after correct germination treatment. However, there are many methods for germination, and each method has its own characteristics and applicable conditions. Just be careful to distinguish and select them.