Seeds and seed dispersal Part 2 KS4

Caring for your seeds and seedlings

Seeds  Sowing seeds can be very exciting especially if you hope to eat what eventually grows on them.  However, as stated in the previous presentation, we need ensure they have the best conditions to start the process of germination. We know that seeds need oxygen, water and the right temperature.  As well as the above there's more we can do to help our seeds grow into healthy plants.

Sowing seeds  Sowing seeds means planting seeds into something to start the growing process.  There are many places to get help from when sowing seeds if you have never done it before. You could ask people who are experienced with growing seeds, search the internet or look in gardening books.  However, often the best place to get helpful guidance from is the back of a seed packet (if you have one!).  The back of a seed pack will often give you the plants name, a small description of the plant, when in the year to sow, plant out and harvest (if the plant is edible), a time frame and most importantly, at this stage, sowing instructions. Some packs have more information than others like average height and what conditions they prefer when planted in their final place.  The size of the seed or the type of plant can have some affect on what it takes to give them an ideal environment to grow in.

Helpful seed packets Plant name Description of plant Ideal conditions and height When to sow, plant out and harvest Sowing instructions Time frame

Growing on seedlings before planting out.  If your seeds required you keep them warm on a window sill or greenhouse then its not always best to transplant them straight away outdoors.  ‘Growing on’ means taking sometime to give your plants a chance to acclimatise (get used to) being outside. Outside there is more wind, temperatures change as well as humidity. All of which can sometimes shock your seedlings and do them more harm than good.  To give them the best chance for about a week leading up to planting outside put them outside in their pots or trays during the day and bring them in at night. This way they get used to being in the new, different and changing conditions with out being exposed to the temperature changes that night brings which could shock them and have a negative affect on the rest of their growing life.

Other considerations when planting out. ď‚´ You may need to ask your gardening friend/family member, go online or read some gardening books to find the next part out but it will have a huge impact on your plants when you transplant them from their trays/pots into their outdoor growing space. ď‚´ The soil the plants go into will have a huge impact on your plants so its worth getting this part right. As discussed in the previous presentation plants take a lot of the essential minerals and nutrients from the soil they grow in. If they cant take what they need it will affect the health of the plant and may cause them to die completely. There are three main nutrients needed: Potassium, Phosphorus and Nitrogen. ď‚´ The type of soil, depth of the soil, soil quality and how well the soil can drain water will also need to be considered.

Essential minerals and nutrients: Nitrogen  Nitrogen is a very important and needed for plant growth. It is found in healthy soils, and give plants the energy to grow, and produce fruit or vegetables. Nitrogen is actually considered the most important component for supporting plant growth.  Nitrogen is part of the chlorophyll molecule, which gives plants their green colour and is involved in creating food for the plant through photosynthesis. Lack of nitrogen shows up as yellowing of the plant. Because nitrogen can move around in the plant, older growth often yellows more than the new growth.  Nitrogen is part of the chlorophyll molecule, which gives plants their green colour and is involved in creating food for the plant through photosynthesis (converting sunlight into energy).

Nitrogen in plants This plant is Nitrogen deficient(its not getting enough Nitrogen). Notice the yellow droopy leaves.

Luckily its not too difficult to add Nitrogen to soil to help plants. You could try: Adding composted manure to the soil.

Planting a green manure crop, such as borage.

Planting nitrogen fixing plants like peas or beans.

Adding coffee grounds to the soil

Essential minerals and nutrients: Phosphorus  Phosphorus plays a major role in the growth of new tissue and division of cells. Plants perform complex energy transmissions, a function that requires phosphorus.  It stimulates root development necessary for the plant to get nutrients from the soil. The roots are also necessary for the support of the plant. When the roots are well developed, they are able to penetrate the ground and gather all the nutrients required by the plant for development  Boosts the development of the plant. Plants require nutrition for their development. The nutrition is processed in the leaves and then stored or transferred to other parts of the plants.

Phosphorus is required for photosynthesis and also in the storage and transportation of the nutrients throughout the plant  Plants are expected to produce fruit after a given time if all the circumstances are right.

Phosphorous is responsible for crop maturity at the right time. Plants that lack phosphorous take time to mature and when they do, the fruits or seeds they bear are few and poor in quality Phosphorus is key to good flowering so

Tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables that grow from the flower need this essential nutrient to boost the harvest.

Phosphorus in plants

Stunted deformed leaves may mean you are lacking phosphorus in your soil!

 Phosphorus deficiency is more difficult to identify, if you cant compare it directly to a healthy plant of the same variety, than a deficiency of nitrogen or potassium. Crops usually display no obvious symptoms of phosphorus deficiency other than a general stunting of the plant during early growth. By the time a visual deficiency is recognized, it may be too late to correct in annual crops Besides human urine (I wouldn’t wee on your plants if I were you), there are many naturally occurring sources of phosphorus that can be used in the garden, including bat guano (bat poo), bone meal, crab and shrimp waste, burned cucumber skins, hair and mushroom compost.

Essential minerals and nutrients: Potassium  Potassium regulates the opening and closing of stomata (tiny openings in plants that allow the exchange of gases) thus regulating the uptake of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which in turn enhances photosynthesis.  Increases root growth and improves drought tolerance (how long it can go without or with limited water supply)  Aids in photosynthesis and food formation  Activates at least 60 enzymes involved in growth  Helps prevent/slow down the spread of disease in the plant.  Helps the transportation of sugars, nutrients and water around the plant.

Potassium in plants  Typical symptoms of potassium deficiency in plants include brown scorching and curling of leaf tips as well as chlorosis (yellowing) between leaf veins. Purple spots may also appear on the leaf undersides.

Plant growth, root development, and seed and fruit development are usually reduced in potassium-deficient plants Banana peals are a good source of potassium so cut up your peels and dig them into your soil.

Try kelp meal or seaweed. Kelp and other types of seaweed are rich in potassium, and quickly release it into soil.

Or a non-organic method would be to buy a fertilizer that is rich in potassium.

Notice the edges of the leaves are a yellowy brown and are starting to curl

How much sun is enough? ď‚´ Plants need sun to convert the light into energy to continue to grow healthily. ď‚´ However not all plants like to be in the sun all day. ď‚´ When choosing a place outside to grow first take note of how much sun the spot gets. After a little research you may find what plants will prefer the sun on offer. Some plants like a bit of shade whilst others want as much sun as possible.

Remember this?

Soil  The soil you grow your plants in will not only provide the minerals and nutrients but also the water the plants need.  Not only this but the depth of soil will also play a part. For example some root vegetables require up to 50 cm of soil to grow down into. Be aware of where you plant your plants and ensure they have suitable room to spread their roots.  There a different types of soil which will affect your plants. Clay soil holds onto a lot of moisture which may be great for some plants but bad for others. Some plants like soil which drains quickly as some roots on some plants rot if they stay too wet. This is one more consideration to make.  The Ph. balance of your soil will also determine what plants you can grow. Some plants thrive in acidic soil where others would wilt and die. You van buy Ph. soil test kits from most garden centres or you can buy them online.

Land based sectors  Arable farmers must have a good understanding of the soil they have and how they can give their crops the best chance at healthy growth.  They will need to know the Ph. balance, the amounts of nutrients and minerals in the soil and have access to fertilizers.  How do you think farmers add fertiliser to soil?