seed germination....light or dark?

[Lamboluke]

I have sown my chilli seeds in the dark and once germinated they were on the window.
Do all seeds need to germinate in the dark or is this just for chilli's?
Thanks

[Bigmallly]

Most seeds need a covering of compost but there are exceptions so make sure you read the packet as not all seeds need to be covered. It will say something like "Do not exclude light"

[Lamboluke]

Ah I see. Not had that on any of the seeds I've purchased so far. I'm guessing they're the seeds that are simply placed onto the compost rather than in it.
Cheers!

[veggiechicken]

Its usually the very small dust-like seeds that are left on the surface to germinate. My rough rule of thumb is, the larger the seed the deeper you sow it. Something like twice the size of the seed deep - if that makes sense.
Always check the packet - other instructions are available

[Kristen]

I can't think of any Vegetable seeds that I have that need light to germinate. I do have some Ornamentals that need that though ...

My seed trays tend to go in the boiler room - nice and warm to encourage germination - which is fairly dark, and then into a better lit location once they sprout - have to catch them quickly though, I check twice a day, as even one day in a dark location will make the seedlings grow very tall, leggy, and weak

[Lamboluke]

I suppose the main reason I asked thinking about it, is a mate of mine sows her seeds into composte but places the propagator on the window so the composte is exposed to night and day rather than pure darkness in a cupboard.
She hasn't had any issues doing it this way.

[veggiechicken]

Self sown seeds in the garden have the same light/day changes as those on the windowsill. No reason why they shouldn't grow perfectly well.

[Kristen]

I suppose the main reason I asked thinking about it, is a mate of mine sows her seeds into composte but places the propagator on the window so the composte is exposed to night and day rather than pure darkness in a cupboard.

I have sown seeds that need a differential day/night temperature to germinate - thankfully none of them are vegetables I would grow in the garden!

A propagator (or any plant / pot) on a windowsill, behind the curtains, can get very cold at night ... if light is not an issue I favour a warm temperature (suitable for the particular seed, Brassicas for example don't want any warmth), and then keep that as constant as possible. IME that generally means faster germination, but also more consistent germination - I figure that if the all germinate at the same time they will all be ready for pricking out at the same time

[Bigmallly]

The way I see it is when you sow seeds & cover them with compost, you are in effect putting them into the dark. The exceptions are some "flowers" which need light to germinate.

[Bigmallly]

Seeds That Need Light to Germinate

[plotman]

Simple answer is to mimic nature, If you put a seed in compost and then sprinkle over the seed to cover it then clearly makes little difference wether its in a dark room or out in sunlight. Most seeds need warmth and moisture to germinate. Once they show then max light will ensure stout healthy seedlings rather than spindly forced seedlings