BIO-214 Lab #2: Intro to Practical Horticulture (Germinating Seeds)

Label the following structures:

ASK ABOUT TRUE LEAVES VS COTYLEDON LEAVES

1. Embryo: the part of the seed that contains the earliest forms of the plant’s roots, stem, & leaves

2. Seed Coat: outermost covering of the seed

3. Cotyledon: Seed leaf WITHIN the embryo of a seed

4. Foliage/Cotyledon Leaves: EMBRONYIC leaves that kickstart the plant’s growth

Label the following structures:

1. Seed: unit of reproduction

2. Radicle: embryonic root; first part of a seedling to emerge during germination

3. Seed Coat: outermost covering of the seed

4. Root: anchors the plant & absorbs water, dissolved minerals, & stores reserve foods

5. Hypocotyl: stem of the germinating seedling

   • found below the cotyledons & above the radicle

6. Cotyledon: Seed leaf WITHIN the embryo of a seed

7. Epicotyl: embryonic shoot ABOVE the cotyledons

Label the following structures:

ASK ABOUT TRUE LEAVES VS COTYLEDON LEAVES

1. Radicle: embryonic root; first part of a seedling to emerge during germination

2. Seed Coat: outermost covering of the seed

3. Root: anchors the plant & absorbs water, dissolved minerals, & stores reserve foods

4. Hypocotyl: stem of the germinating seedling

   • found below the cotyledons & above the radicle

5. Cotyledon: Seed leaf WITHIN the embryo of a seed

6. Epicotyl: embryonic shoot ABOVE the cotyledons

7. First true leaves: MATURE plant leaves

Seed Germination Process

1. Fill the trays/cups with peat moss

2. Sprinkle 8-10 seeds per cup

3. LIGHTLY cover the seeds with more soil

   • prevent the seeds from drying out

4. Saturate the soil

   • don’t let the seeds dry out while germinating

5. Add a plastic cover

   • Prevents the seedlings from drying out

6. Keep the seedlings at room temp

   • Allows roots to grow faster

   • Prevents drastic temperature changes

7. Keep the seedlings in a room with moving air AND sunlight

   • Moving air prevents fungal disease that kills off the seedlings