Have you ever seen truly tiny seeds? Some like Chamomile are very small, but certain ornamental varieties like Orchids and African Violets are so small they're practically specks of dust and are les than 0.5mm in length. These delicate seeds require special care and attention to thrive. In this guide, you will learn how to sow the seeds, maintain the setup, and care for the tiny sprouts as they grow.
choosing the right setup
Before you start sowing your tiny seeds, it's essential to choose the right setup.
Opt for a small pot or container with good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Use a well-draining soil mix, like fresh indoor potting mix(make sure it's not too chunky), or coconut fiber soil pods. If using coconut fiber soil pods, it's important to water the soil with soluble fertilizer to add nutrients to the soil- the sprouts need them to grow once they sprout!
working with the seeds
When sowing teeny seeds, it's crucial to handle them with care. Before you open the packets, prepare a white sheet of paper or paper towel and open the seed packet over that, so you can catch and seeds that might fall out as you open the packet(they can easily slide out of the corners of the packaging.)
In this picture, African Violet seeds are on a ~2"x2" sheet of white paper. You can see just how tiny these seeds are!
Sprinkle the seeds lightly on the soil surface, making sure not to bury them. Gently mist the soil with water to avoid disturbing the seeds. Cover the pot with a clear plastic lid or plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse effect.
maintaining the setup
Place the pot in a warm and bright location, but away from direct sunlight. Most seeds need consistent temperatures >70F, a heat mat helps keep the seeds warm to boost germination rates. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged- as long as you have a humidity dome, you only need to check the setup once a week and mist the soil if you see it starting to dry.
Depending on the seed variety, you might see sprouts as soon as a couple of days in, or as long as a month or two after planting.
caring for the tiny sprouts
As the tiny sprouts begin to emerge, continue to provide them with gentle care.
Once most of the seeds have sprouted, you can open air vents(if you have them), and gradually start to remove the humidity dome. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Make sure the setup has good light(grow lights, or bright indirect sun), stays warm, and is fertilized. Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, you can start to gradually acclimate them to normal growing conditions.
examples of tiny seeds:
Various plants produce tiny seeds, but some of the most common ones are succulents! Here are some options:
- African Violets
- Lithops "Living Stones"
- Echeveria
- Crassula
- Lapidaria
- Gibbaeum
- Fenestraria Aurantiaca "Baby Toes"
- Sinningia
With patience and dedication, you can successfully grow tiny dust-like seeds. Remember to provide them with the right environment, regular care, and a little bit of love. Before you know it, you'll have beautiful and unique plants thriving in your home!
