At Semillistas, every sowing starts long before the seeds are put in the ground. Behind every plant that sprouts, there is a careful and detailed process that takes place in the laboratory. Today we want to tell you a little about how we prepare the seeds to ensure that they have the best possible conditions to germinate and later grow strong in the field.
One of the key steps is the assembly of the Petri dishes for the germination tests. On our workbench, each tool has a clear purpose: the Bunsen burner helps us to create as sterile a working area as possible, minimising the risk of microorganisms contaminating the seeds. To one side, the magnetic stirrers keep the bleach or hydrogen peroxide solutions in constant movement, in which we immerse the seeds to disinfect them uniformly.
After this disinfectant bath, the seeds pass through a series of buckets of sterilised water, removing any remaining bleach. This is a crucial step, because if the seeds retain residues, they may not germinate properly.
When the seeds are clean, we transfer them to Petri dishes, prepared with sand of a specific grain size and controlled humidity. Finally, we seal the boxes with a breathable tape that prevents the entry of microorganisms, and we place them in the germination chambers, adjusted to the temperatures required for each test.
These tests allow us to observe how the seeds respond to different treatments and conditions, in order to understand which method is most effective before taking them to the field. Little by little, we build up solid data that helps us improve sowings and increase the likelihood that each seed will grow into a strong plant.
Behind every sprout, there is a lot of science, dedication and hope. We keep learning, testing and improving, because every small step brings us closer to a future with more resilient forests.
