The 8 Types of seeds

There are a great variety of plants in the world, and also, many types of seeds. These are the last great work of the evolution of plant beings, since in small structures all the genetic information is concentrated that will make them, if they germinate, become trees, shrubs, palms, herbs, cacti, succulents, … or etcetera.

That, if someone does not eat them before of course, since there are a few that are edible, such as sunflower seeds, rice or lentils, among others. Approaching this world is the most interesting, because it will allow you to have a clearer idea of ​​how many types of seeds there are, and which plants produce them.

Table of Contents

  • 1 What types of seeds are there?
    • 1.1 Baby seeds
    • 1.2 Creole seeds
    • 1.3 Edible seeds
    • 1.4 Flower seeds
    • 1.5 Fruit seeds
    • 1.6 Vegetable seeds
    • 1.7 Hybrid seeds
    • 1.8 Improved seeds

What types of seeds are there?

There are many types of seeds in the world

Seeds are an essential part of plants; not in vain, in them is deposited the genetic material of a possible new generation. But they are also important for agriculture and horticulture, since being much cheaper than a seedling, it is possible to get many units which, if viable, will germinate. In this way, we can have a greater number of plants at a low cost.

Focusing on the different types of seeds, You should know that these are classified into eight groups:

  • Baby seeds
  • Creole seeds
  • Edible seeds
  • Flower seeds
  • Fruit seeds
  • Vegetable seeds
  • Hybrid seeds
  • Improved seeds

Baby seeds

It is possible that their name already tells you what exactly they are, but if you have doubts tell you that They are a type of seed that has been treated so that, once it germinates, the plant remains small.

In addition, the seeds are ideal for consumption, as they are easy to chew as they are tender and sweet, and they have the same nutritional value as those that are pure, or can even exceed it.

Creole seeds

They are those autochthonous, which have not been genetically modified, at least not artificially. This means that they are those that the plants have produced naturally, after the pollination of their flowers, and that have later been collected. These are of the same pure species; that is, they are not hybrid crosses. For example, if a poppy is crossed (Papaver rhoeas) with another, your seeds will be pure.

Obtaining these seeds is, from my point of view, the best thing to do, since we will have the guarantee that the plants obtained from them will adapt without problems to the conditions in our area.

Edible seeds

Rice is a very important cereal

As its name suggests, are those that are suitable for consumption and, therefore, those that are grown for that purpose. Before we mentioned sunflower seeds, rice or lentils, but there are many edible seeds: pistachios, walnuts, corn, oats, sesame, pumpkin, chia …

Although it is true that some can cause some type of allergic reaction, such as wheat or corn, to sensitive people, in general we talk about seeds that, if consumed from time to time, contribute to improve our diet and health. Many are very rich in protein, vitamins such as B or E, and in some minerals such as calcium.

Flower seeds

Flower seeds are usually small

There are many types of flower seeds: some are so small and light that they are easily carried by the wind, like those of the dandelion; There are others that are larger, such as those of the rose bushes, and that consequently depend more on animals or, sometimes, on water to be able to move away from the mother plant.

Color, size, and shape vary greatly from species to species. That is why you have to choose well the seedbed where they are going to be sown, so that they do not lack space.

Fruit seeds

Fruit seeds are somewhat larger than flower seeds

Like those of fruits, its characteristics vary a lot: those of the cherry tree are brownish in color, rounded and measure approximately one centimeter in diameter; those of the fig tree are blackish, elongated and less than 0,5 centimeters in size.

The plants that produce them are grown in orchards the vast majority of times, but there are also species that are adapted to growing in pots, such as those of the genus Citrus (citrus fruits).

Vegetable seeds

Vegetable seeds are very light

Our vegetables are those plants that are grown for consumption. Are include legumes and vegetables, such as lettuce, celery, bell pepper, carrot, etc. All of them need constant humidity to germinate, and often also heat, so the sowing time is usually spring.

Now, to take better advantage of the season, one can resort to sowing in a protected seedbed, or to a electric germinator.

Hybrid seeds

Hybrid seeds are those that come from crosses of two different species or pure varieties. For example, the seeds obtained from the crossing of palm trees Robust Washingtonia y Washingtonia will spin are hybrids, giving rise to the filibusta washingtonia. These plants have characteristics of both parents, but often have one or more improved characteristics.

Thus, they can be more resistant, produce a greater number of fruits and / or with more or fewer seeds, be more resistant to pests and / or diseases, grow at a faster rate, or have a more or less large adult size.

There are two types:

  • The free-growing hybrids, which are the ones that continue to grow after flowering.
  • The determined-growing hybrids, which are those that, after flowering, can grow at a slower rate or even stop doing so.

Improved seeds

This kind of seeds are those that have been obtained thanks to a series of techniques and / or processes carried out by the human being, and always in a controlled environment.

They have several advantages, since they will sprout plants better adapted to the environment, and more resistant to pests and diseases.

As you can see, there is a great variety of types of seeds.

The 8 Types of seeds

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