Seedling development starts with germination of the seed. A typical young seedling consists of three main parts: the radicle (embryonic root), the hypocotyl (embryonic shoot), and the cotyledons (seed leaves).
So, if your indoor seed starting area is regularly less than 70 ° F, use a seedling heat mat to help your seeds sprout consistently and quickly. To keep our seedling soil at the perfect temperature (with zero effort!) we use a seedling heat mat with an automatic thermostat.
When weeds really kick into action (usually by late spring/early summer), it can be challenging to identify a vegetable seedling from a weed seedling! This is a visual aid to help.
Timing is everything when transplanting seedlings outdoors or into containers. Learn when to transplant seedlings and how to do so the right way so they grow and thrive well into maturity.
Seedling growth can be stunted when it’s too cold in the room, if they are over or under watered, or if they aren’t getting enough fertilizer. Get even more help with troubleshooting and fixing seedling problems here.
Illustration of seedling 1 primary root 2 rootlet 3 root hairs 4 hypocotyl 5 cotyledon 6 epicotyl 7 true leaf
A seedling is essentially a young plant that’s gone through the initial stages of growth after being planted or sown. Understanding the definition and importance of seedlings can help you care for them effectively and overcome common challenges like diseases and pests.
After the shoot emerges, the seedling grows slowly while the storage tissue of the seed diminishes. Soon, the plant develops a branched root system or taproot. Then, true leaves that look like the leaves of the mature plant appear. These leaves, unlike cotyledons, photosynthesize light into energy, allowing the plant to grow and develop.