seeds haven't popped

dr.smiley

Member
I purchased some northern light seed from msnl in July. They have been kept sealed and kept around 65°F. I just got set up and tried germinating six seeds on the first of the year. I put them in a glass of water. After about 16 hours five of them had sank and the last one I left overnight and was in water for about 24 hours. I moved them to wet paper towels between two plates. I've been checking them a couple times a day and adding water when needed. But I'm starting day 7 and so far none have popped. I noticed a slight crack in one around day 3 or 4 but nothing since. I did try scuffing a couple of them on day 5. The temperature has been kept in the mid to upper 70's except when in the glass of water it may have dipped into the 60's. Should I be worried these aren't going to germinate? I know usually they germinate in a couple days. Did I do something wrong? Or is there anything I should do?
 
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Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
I purchased some northern light seed from msnl in July. They have been kept sealed and kept around 65°F. I just got set up and tried germinating six seeds on the first of the year. I put them in a glass of water. After about 16 hours five of them had sank and the last one I left overnight and was in water for about 24 hours. I moved them to wet paper towels between two plates. I've been checking them a couple times a day and adding water when needed. But I'm starting day 7 and so far none have popped. I noticed a slight crack in one around day 3 or 4 but nothing since. I did try scuffing a couple of them on day 5. The temperature has been kept in the mid to upper 70's except when in the glass of water it may have dipped into the 60's. Should I be worried these aren't going to germinate? I know usually they germinate in a couple days. Did I do something wrong? Or is there anything I should do?
You didn’t simply stick them in soil and handled them too much.
 

RandysGut

Member
I had a pack of ak47 from msnl that were duds, early in 2018. I contacted them and they provided me with instructions to have a replacement pack sent, but on my next order.. Better than nothing I suppose
 

dr.smiley

Member
I had a pack of ak47 from msnl that were duds, early in 2018. I contacted them and they provided me with instructions to have a replacement pack sent, but on my next order.. Better than nothing I suppose
Oh awesome! Would have been nice if they'd just sent you some more, but like you said better than nothing. I'll have to see if these other ones do anything. If not I'd like to get some white widow or maybe some blueberry anyways.
 

dr.smiley

Member
Does anyone have any advice on what I should do different? I'm thinking I might try just putting them right in Coco. I'm just a little hesitant because I've heard higher germ. rates with the paper towel method.
 

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any advice on what I should do different? I'm thinking I might try just putting them right in Coco. I'm just a little hesitant because I've heard higher germ. rates with the paper towel method.
I get 100% sticking them in either rapid rooters or straight soil with a dome and my light.
 

Blitz35

Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any advice on what I should do different? I'm thinking I might try just putting them right in Coco. I'm just a little hesitant because I've heard higher germ. rates with the paper towel method.
The main issue in my opinion with germinating, is getting the temps warm enough! Most always, i put the seeds directly in damp napkins, fold together and in the ziploc they go. If it's summer here and temps are around 80 or more..it goes fast..otherwise, mine as well won't germ or take a week instead of the regular 24-36 hours. I put my ziploc on my pc tower now or when lights are on, they go on top of the 400 watt led light for warmth. I've only had 3 seeds out of around maybe a hundred that didn't germ at all (one was in my fridge for a year lol).
 

dr.smiley

Member
The main issue in my opinion with germinating, is getting the temps warm enough! Most always, i put the seeds directly in damp napkins, fold together and in the ziploc they go. If it's summer here and temps are around 80 or more..it goes fast..otherwise, mine as well won't germ or take a week instead of the regular 24-36 hours. I put my ziploc on my pc tower now or when lights are on, they go on top of the 400 watt led light for warmth. I've only had 3 seeds out of around maybe a hundred that didn't germ at all (one was in my fridge for a year lol).
Oh ok, so do you think these still have a chance of geminating yet then?
 

Blitz35

Well-Known Member
Oh ok, so do you think these still have a chance of geminating yet then?
If the temps were good and the napkin wasn't overly saturated with water, then maybe they're duds, you never know..but the fact that none of yours sprouted, not even 1, leads me to think maybe it wasn't warm enough. When you place them in napkins or paper towels, make sure its not saturated with water, as the seeds do need some oxygen in order to germinate..i actually have never had to re-wet napkins, but i do put them in a ziploc, so they don't dry out, but again, temps are important, they should always be above 75, but it helps to hit the 80's. When i open my napkin from the ziploc..the napkin is actually warm to the touch and the inside of the ziploc is wet from the evaporation of the napkin water, which tells me temps are warm enough.
 

dr.smiley

Member
If the temps were good and the napkin wasn't overly saturated with water, then maybe they're duds, you never know..but the fact that none of yours sprouted, not even 1, leads me to think maybe it wasn't warm enough. When you place them in napkins or paper towels, make sure its not saturated with water, as the seeds do need some oxygen in order to germinate..i actually have never had to re-wet napkins, but i do put them in a ziploc, so they don't dry out, but again, temps are important, they should always be above 75, but it helps to hit the 80's. When i open my napkin from the ziploc..the napkin is actually warm to the touch and the inside of the ziploc is wet from the evaporation of the napkin water, which tells me temps are warm enough.
I think the first day they may have been in the 60's (I doubt below 65 ) while they were in a glass of water, could that have hurt them? Also ive had them on a heating pad today but is it too late?
 
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Blitz35

Well-Known Member
I think the first day they may have been in the 60's (I doubt below 65 ) while they were in a glass of water, could that have hurt them? Also ive had them on a heating pad today but is it too late?
No, that wouldn't 'hurt' them, they just stay closed up:) It's not too late, keep the paper towel damp, put in plastic so it stays wet and doesnt dry out..check in 24 hours. How hot is the heating pad?
 

althor

Well-Known Member
1. You need to store your seeds in a much cooler environment. Most people use the fridge.
2. I always roll my seeds around on some sandpaper.
3. Once I put them in napkins (or in the soil) I keep them around 85% until they pop.
 

dr.smiley

Member
No, that wouldn't 'hurt' them, they just stay closed up:) It's not too late, keep the paper towel damp, put in plastic so it stays wet and doesnt dry out..check in 24 hours. How hot is the heating pad?
I'd say with the pad they are staying in the low 80's I'll move them to a bag now.
 

rob333

Well-Known Member
Ok thanks! I feel a lot less worried now. This is my first run and since I've read they usually pop in a couple days I've been a bit worried I messed something up.
best method is soak for 24 hours then into rockwool or coco cubes then put on top of a set top box thats on for 4-7 days can take up to 16
 

Lethidox

Well-Known Member
im not sure about the seed quality but we keep out seeds in the fridge. i do paper towel method works 100% the time germinated within 1-2 days. just started to germinate my 3rd grow in soil. temps in my closet is 79.5F 59% RH. have a 75W light on them no dome. waiting to see what happens. didnt soak them or nothing just put in solo cups with dirt and myko's and watered. usually after they germinate thats literally all i even do anyways is just the exact same thing im doing now minus the paper towel method.

I am expecting them to take longer to sprout possibly 5-7 days but i am waiting to see. im keeping these seeds in my computer desk however.
 

dr.smiley

Member
Just an update for anyone who may be interested. I just checked them and I had a couple more crack and one has opened enough I can see the root, though it hasn't emerged yet. I was worried but things are looking promising.
 
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