发芽是种子从休眠中出现并开始活跃生长的过程，产生胚根（胚胎根）和芽。它由充足的水分、适宜的温度以及某些物种的光照或黑暗共同触发。在水培种植中，种子通常在繁殖介质（岩棉块、快速生根塞或湿纸巾）中发芽，然后在幼苗长成后转移到主要的生长系统中。
关键事实
- Required conditions: moisture, warmth (20–25°C / 68–77°F for most crops), and darkness
- First structure to emerge is the radicle (root); then the shoot pushes upward
- Germination rate drops significantly if seeds are stored incorrectly (heat, humidity, light)
- Rockwool cubes and rapid rooter plugs are the most common hydroponic germination media
- Pre-soaking seeds for 12–24 hours in plain water accelerates germination
- Dome and heat mat maintain humidity and temperature for consistent germination rates