A seed is nothing but a tiny plant embryo covered with a thin protective coat waiting to mature and grow into a plant.The life cycle of a plant begins with the process of germinating from seed to a developed plant and it concludes with producing seeds for a fresh harvest. A seed is basically composed of three parts, a seed coat (testa) for protecting the seed from damage, the embryo, which is the baby plant that will soon grow into an adult plant, and finally the cotyledon or seed leaf that provides vital nutrients to the embryo.Seeds can be primarily divided into two distinct categories, Monocotyledonous and Dicotyledonuous. Seeds are full of nutrients, starch, and oil reserves that make them not only biologically essential but also economically essential. Their rich nutrient content is crucial for the process of germination and the successful growth or development of the baby plant or embryo.Seeds are also a staple food product for both humans and animals. Now, we are well aware that plants are alive. It needs sunlight, water, and food to grow but does the seed also classify as a living thing even if it doesn’t perform photosynthesis? If yes, can a seed also die? Or is it a non-living thing? Keep reading to learn more about seeds and their life cycle.If you enjoyed this article, keep reading to find the answer! Also, why not also get more answers about questions you may have like are pumpkins fruit? And are strawberries a fruit? Here on Kidadl.Are dry seeds alive when dormant?To put it simply, yes, seeds are alive. They may not participate in the process of photosynthesis for the purposes of respiration and metabolism like a living plant, but that is only because seeds remain in a dormant (sleeping) state.Seeds are living entities even when they are dormant because the cells of the seed are always active. They simply need to be activated from their dormant state before they can undergo the process of germination and develop into seedlings and finally into adult plants. If seeds were not alive the process of germination would never occur. Seeds will only awaken from their dormant stage and sprout if they are introduced to the right combination of light, water, heat, and oxygen. Even while seeds are in their dormant state they need energy and food to sustain and perform metabolic activities. They acquire the things they need via the process of cellular respiration. Seeds burn energy by using their sugar reserves along with water and oxygen to germinate.Most seeds will definitely survive over a year or two if stored appropriately. It is not uncommon for seeds to persist for five or six years, while some may even last up to hundreds or thousands of years. Interestingly, the seed of the Sacred Lotus remains viable for over a thousand years.What does it mean when seeds are alive, but not growing?These tiny little living things may not require a lot of looking after but they are extremely complicated in nature. They need to be preserved or stored in just the right weather temperatures to ensure longevity. If a seed is alive it will germinate once it has been planted.To grow your seeds you need to activate them first. That can be achieved by planting them in an environment that is favorable for their growth. Seeds will need adequate sunlight, humidity, and nourishment to mature and flourish into seedlings. Different seeds require different weather conditions to thrive in. Some seeds may need very less water while others like the locust seed may need to be submerged in water due to their hard outer coats. There is also a probability that they won’t grow if the soil is too wet or too dry, it must be moist for the seeds to grow. The presence of moisture and nutrients in the soil is crucial as well. Seeds will also be reluctant to grow if they have been planted too tightly in the soil or placed too deep in the soil that light fails to reach them. If despite all your best efforts the seed is still refusing to sprout it could indicate that it has either become too old or damaged to germinate successfully.How to germinate seeds and keep them alive?Germination is the process of the development of seed from bud to seedling after having remained dormant for some time. Seeds can partake in this activity only if they have an adequate quantity of water, sunlight, oxygen, and if the temperature conditions remain favorable.Every seed is different and requires different weather conditions to thrive in. Do your bit of research to find out what is necessary for your seed to sprout and develop. The first step in the process of germination would be to understand when and where you should plant your seed. Seeds are divided into two categories, outdoor, and indoor plants. Some seeds can be planted directly outdoors while others require a few weeks inside. Next, look for the right container and choose a potting soil that suits your seed the best. Make sure to put fresh potting soil in the containers. Now, you can plant the seeds once you have achieved the correct setting. Continue to water the plant as required and provide liquid fertilizers as plant food. Adequate sunlight is also essential for the growth of the seed. Depending on the species and conditions, you will soon find your seed has germinated and produces a little leaf.There is also a popular method called pre-sprouting which may be applied to germinate seeds before they have been planted. One way you can practice pre-sprouting is by keeping the seeds in a wet towel for several days. Another popular method would be to keep all your seeds in a bowl of warm water for 12-24 hours. Repeat the process daily until you begin to see sprouts form. Once sprouts emerge you can simply transplant the live seed. Yes, the process of pre-sprouting may be long but it is quite useful. This procedure ensures a higher success rate while also helping you check if the seeds are viable.How to check if potted seeds are alive?Growing a seed can be quite a bit of work. It is a long and hard method and you might often not get the results you were expecting. Sometimes a seed might even die before completing the process of germination.It can be very disheartening if your seeds don’t sprout. So, it might be a good option to check their viability especially if you had potted seeds lying around for a year or so. To check if your seed will indeed grow into a plant it is best to perform a small viability test before you proceed to plant them. To do this test all you need are paper towels, zip locks, and of course your seeds. Wet your paper towel and wring out the excess water. Next, place your seeds on the towel. Make sure they are not touching each other and that there are little spaces in between them. Then, fold the paper towel and put them inside a ziplock bag. Look around your home for warm places where you can keep your zip lock. Near a heater, on top of a refrigerator or microwave oven are some good places inside your house. Check back in a few days to see if your seeds have germinated. Some seeds may take longer to germinate than others so be patient. If your seeds have sprouted it means they are alive and ready to be planted.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are seeds alive? Explore fun facts for plants germination, then why not take a look at how is glitter made? What’s all about the shimmer? Fun facts for kids! Or have you ever wondered how is leather made? Tanning facts to know!
A seed is nothing but a tiny plant embryo covered with a thin protective coat waiting to mature and grow into a plant.
