Can seeds die before sprouting??

[youngjizzle729]

I planted 40 seeds April 11th. It is now the 21st and only 4 seeds have sprouted. Statistically speaking I would think more should have sprouted at least by accident even if I did every thing wrong. However; I feel I did every thing correct. I germinated them in water and after 24 hours of letting the seeds soak in spring water the roots emerged. I originally thought that meant I would have a great germiniation outcome, but only 4 seeds sprouted after transfering to the grow medium. All my research says that seeds should have begun to sprout by now. Next I investigated...I noticed the soil may not have contained enough perlite as it tends to become thick. So I poked holes in the soil with tooth picks to increase air flow to the roots and water drainage. While doing this I accidentally pulled up one of the seeds. I noticed the seed had not changed at all since the transfer into the medium. The root of this seed had emerged, but no progress since then. I have spent a lot of money on seeds and I am now worried. Any suggestions??? I also used a humidity dome and heating mat. At this point I can no longer use the humidity dome as the 4 sprouts are now too tall.....I NEED HELP. They are also feminized seeds....

 

[*BUDS]

Where did you get the seeds sounds like a old batch.

 

[ricky1lung]

What kind of medium did you put them in?
If they germ'd and produced a root the seed was viable.

The seed is not the issue, the medium, the saturation of the medium
or the heat could all be factors.

 

[svsuv]

use rapid rooters - less chance to kill expensive seeds. You can get them at most hydro stores or amazon.

 

[wyteberrywidow]

What kind of medium did you put them in?
If they germ'd and produced a root the seed was viable.

The seed is not the issue, the medium, the saturation of the medium
or the heat could all be factors.

Yea I'm with him on this one. If the seeds produced a tap then they were viable it had to be something with the medium.

 

[AimAim]

Yea I'm with him on this one. If the seeds produced a tap then they were viable it had to be something with the medium.

Agree with this. If the root radicle emerged the seed was good, but they should have emerged after 2, maybe three days tops in the soil. If they were all the same strain they should all emerge more or less at the same time. You plant about 1/4" deep ? How much root was exposed when you transferred from water to soil? If the root you saw on the seed you dug up was white it should be OK, any other color it's dead. Soil should be damp, not soggy. Until they get up I just spritz the surface with a spray bottle 3-4 times/day. You can rot the seeds if they are too warm and wet. Lack of perlite at this point should make absolutely no difference unless you let the soil surface crust over and get hard, which I doubt you let happen.

Anyway kind of puzzling. The correct conditions for them to grow in the soil were not there. Either you damaged the roots during planting, or soil was too wet or dry, too hot or cold. Before they emerge, pretty much the only factors for growth are moisture and temp. After they emerge light is critical, and shortly thereafter available nutrients.

Good luck

 

[RetiredMatthebrute]

too many processes in your germination methods....next time put them in dirt and leave em the fuck alone.

 

[RetiredMatthebrute]

Where did you get the seeds sounds like a old batch.

why is it every time i see your comments i think...what a dumbass? did you even read his post?

 

[youngjizzle729]

Agree with this. If the root radicle emerged the seed was good, but they should have emerged after 2, maybe three days tops in the soil. If they were all the same strain they should all emerge more or less at the same time. You plant about 1/4" deep ? How much root was exposed when you transferred from water to soil? If the root you saw on the seed you dug up was white it should be OK, any other color it's dead. Soil should be damp, not soggy. Until they get up I just spritz the surface with a spray bottle 3-4 times/day. You can rot the seeds if they are too warm and wet. Lack of perlite at this point should make absolutely no difference unless you let the soil surface crust over and get hard, which I doubt you let happen.

Anyway kind of puzzling. The correct conditions for them to grow in the soil were not there. Either you damaged the roots during planting, or soil was too wet or dry, too hot or cold. Before they emerge, pretty much the only factors for growth are moisture and temp. After they emerge light is critical, and shortly thereafter available nutrients.

Good luck

Thanx for the detailed response. The roots of the seeds were still white, just prune like. In an effort to save them I scooped away a layer of dirt in each. Since, 2 more have begun to sprout. I'm thinking maybe they were too deep for that type of soil. The heating mat does not seem to do much, and all seeds were planted 1/4"-1/2" deep. Still hoping for the best, but more perplexing issues have arose. Talk about a rocky start right? There is now a newly emerged sprout in the same pot as one of the original 4 plants I said sprouted already. This in my mind only means 2 things, either I planted 2 seeds in the same spot by accident (which I believe unlikely) or I had contaminated soil...any way 2 plants can emerge from the same seed?? Crazy circumstances...

 

[AimAim]

I've heard other people say they got two sprouts off one seed but I personally think it's impossible. The seed would need two embryos and each one would need at least 1 cotyledon attached to provide energy for germination. Is the 2nd seedling MJ or something else?

Not sure what you mean by prune-like, roots should be firm and round.