The Anticipation is Killing Me...

Germination is the process by which plants emerge from seeds and begin their growth, which is what my babies should be going through very soon! There are four main factors that can influence germination: light, temperature, water, and oxygen. Many seeds are unaffected by light (well I mean they are underground.. pretty dark down there...) but some seeds like in a rainforest won't even begin to germinate until light peeks through the canopy. Temperature affects cellular metabolic and growth rates. There is often a prime temperature for a seed to germinate in, and will not germinate if it differs from that range; many seeds germinate at temperatures slightly above 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Water is a requirement for germination, but too much water can drown the seeds. Imbibition is the uptake of water by the seed which leads to the swelling and breaking of the seed coat to allow the seedling to emerge and start growing roots and leaves. Also, oxygen is required in germination for metabolism. It is used in aerobic respiration which is the main source of the seedling's energy until it grows leaves.