- 1). Examine the soil to look for a sprout, which can occur in as little as five days. A light colored stem called a hypocotyl will grow from the seed. As it pushes toward the light, the hypocotyl will pop up out of the soil, often appearing as an inverted U.
- 2). Watch the stem grow. The hypocotyl will continue to grow, bringing out of the soil with it the original seed, which is now called a cotyledon. It is no longer an inverted U, if applicable, but a small stem with the old, soft seed on top.
- 3). Observe the area as the cotyledon (old seed) splits, from where the stem continues to grow and form leaves. Underground where you can't see, roots are forming as well.
Source...