Sighs. I've been doing this for years. Still have seed starting issues, help?

S

Silverwolf

Active Member
For some damn reason I always seem to be doing so poorly at the seed start. They either germinate and I move them to the medium under a humidity dome and then they do nothing and wither and die, or the seed does nothing. O.k let me tell what just happened to give you a idea.

I started two seeds in paper towel between two plates, they germinated, I got around to moving them into a soiless mix with some peat moss, nice and wet, then transplanted them and put little ziplocs over them for a humidty dome. Nothing is happening, then one day I see it's gone dry, quickly water and there seems to be life and humidity domes back on. The stay stagnate even though they are still upright, and then get white mold on them and die.

I take the last seed, put it in a peat moss puck and wait, keep it under the humidity dome (actual dome this time which I use for my clones, also my clones are about a 90%-100% success rate) and let it sit. After 4 days, still nothing. I crack open the pet pod and the seed is still intact and no germination. So that's $75 of feminized seeds down the drain and I need to do it all over again.

I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing wrong with starting seeds but my success rate for them is about 25% :( Once they are there though and becoming plants I thrive. Any help, what is your standard no fool method for getting them going?

Cheers
 
chuck estevez

chuck estevez

Well-Known Member
once it germinated, you put it into a ziplock bag and suffocated it. Once it germinates, just put it into your medium, then under a light

don't use papertowels,plates or any of that crap. soak seed in water for 12 hrs, plant in medium and put under light
 
qwizoking

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Dont uncover the seed, you risk tearing roots and hairs plus light will stop root growth.
Also if the shell sticks on the seed it can keep it from sprouting, sometimes gently removing the shell is necessary.


What i do...
Germ in wet papertowel with chlorinated tap water at 80-82°, place inside open gallon bag to keep moisture. 24-36 hrs later taproot has emerged and is ready for transplant. Wet soil the night before and till, or moisten untill it will compact and hold its shape, either way tilling before inserting seed is important. The seed does not necessarily have to be covered. You want very little dirt on it.
I use solo cups..
Place sandwich bag over the cup and put in the dark at 80-82° still. ideally you should have beads of water on the bag.
When the shell falls off its ready for side lighting, when first true sets of leaves form its ready for whatever..usually about 4 days total

This will have the highest rates

Ive expiremented in 2° increments and it (temp) is the biggest factor by far. Not only in speed of germ but success rates and mold growth- root rot , damping off.
Light plays a big role in hormonal responses that convert cells into roots also.. This is how plants can grow along the ground and effectively propogate/clone themselves. Or why tree roots that are exposed have bark. If your little babies are exposed to light your rates will be reduced.




Ive grown thousands of seeds and done many trials, i assure you that the best methods are as i described... in my trials
 
G

GrowUrOwnDank

Well-Known Member
Herb & Suds said:
Lose the dome
Soak seeds in water till they sink
Transfer to paper towel or rapid rooters and as they start to dry root will search for more moisture
No clue why you use a dome for seedlings I like a breeze on mine
Click to expand...
This is what I do. Soak for a day, drop it in a wet but, not dripping rockwool cube or a peet/jiffy pellet and place it in the dark and make sure they stay moist. I use good beans and they always pop. When they pop, I out in a windowsill and maybe under a low powered CFL at night. Note, my house temps range somewhere in the 70's this time of year. No heat pad or anything.

Personally, I think folks who have problems in germ over think it. I've never found the need to ph any water until they go in a pot a week or two after popping. As a matter of fact, if you leave the seeds soaking in water for like 2 days, when you pull them out they may have a little root already coming out or a white nub where it's about to come out. No real need for a paper towel in my opinion.
 
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