Did I kill my seeds?

Setup details: 2x3x4.5' grow tent

Seed details: 2 were scavenged 3 are fem seeds ordered online

Soil Details: using mother earth coco and perlite mix, primed soil with diluted amount of nutrients 24 hours before planting. No nutrients went direct to the seed by watering.

Light Details: LED Viparspectra 1000W with dimmers for veg and bloom

Water Details: hitting in ph 6.5-7 range

After successfully germinating seeds (using the paper towel method) with about a cm taproot I placed them carefully about 1/4 inch from the top of an expanded jiffy pellet with the taproot down. The top of the seed was visible. I was curious to watch the seed sprout and wanted to see it do it's thing, but now I'm thinking I didn't bury it deep enough. I realize after looking at more online resources I should have buried it deeper and completely covered it. It's been 10 days and the 2 scavenged seeds haven't sprouted up yet. It's only been a few days since I planted the 3 ordered seeds. I have recently added soil on top of all of them to correct my mistake.

Question 1: Does direct light kill the seed?
Question 2: I'm seeing conflicting sources on planting with taproot down or taproot up, which is it?

During this time when the top seed was visible I had the LED light on 18/6 cycle inside a clone dome directly under the light, so the light was about 8 inches away from the seed, it seemed like a lot of light was reflecting of the clear plastic dome, so it seemed okay. Temperature and moisture have been monitored daily and I've been able to maintained warmth and moisture. I have recently moved the light to be 18" away, which seems better.

Question 3: What is the the ideal temp and humidity level for seeds in soil before sprouted?
Question 4: Is the 18/6 light cycle 18" away appropriate for freshly planted seed? (currently set the Bloom to 60% and Veg to 100%)
Question 5: Should I use the tent fan to move air during this time?

Question 6: when seeds are germinating (in paper towel covered in a dome and kept moist) should I give them light for heat or keep it dark and add a heat source until they are in soil?

I appreciate you sharing thoughts and feedback.

Question 1: Does direct light kill the seed? NO

Question 2: I'm seeing conflicting sources on planting with taproot down or taproot up, which is it? TAPROOT DOWN

Question 3: What is the the ideal temp and humidity level for seeds in soil before sprouted? 75F-80F @ 100% HUMIDITY

Question 4: Is the 18/6 light cycle 18" away appropriate for freshly planted seed? (currently set the Bloom to 60% and Veg to 100%) LIGHTS AREN'T NEEDED UNTIL THEY SPROUT. DISTANCE IS DIFFERENT BASED ON WHAT YOU ARE USING FOR LIGHTS

Question 5: Should I use the tent fan to move air during this time? AGAIN, NO NEED UNTIL YOU HAVE SPROUTS/SEEDLINGS

Question 6: when seeds are germinating (in paper towel covered in a dome and kept moist) should I give them light for heat or keep it dark and add a heat source until they are in soil? COMPLETE DARKNESS

TreeFarmerCharlie said:

Question 1: Does direct light kill the seed? NO

Question 2: I'm seeing conflicting sources on planting with taproot down or taproot up, which is it? TAPROOT DOWN

Question 3: What is the the ideal temp and humidity level for seeds in soil before sprouted? 75F-80F @ 100% HUMIDITY

Question 4: Is the 18/6 light cycle 18" away appropriate for freshly planted seed? (currently set the Bloom to 60% and Veg to 100%) LIGHTS AREN'T NEEDED UNTIL THEY SPROUT. DISTANCE IS DIFFERENT BASED ON WHAT YOU ARE USING FOR LIGHTS

Question 5: Should I use the tent fan to move air during this time? AGAIN, NO NEED UNTIL YOU HAVE SPROUTS/SEEDLINGS

Question 6: when seeds are germinating (in paper towel covered in a dome and kept moist) should I give them light for heat or keep it dark and add a heat source until they are in soil? COMPLETE DARKNESS

Click to expand...

Beat me to it.

Thank you!

Sounds like I need to up my humidity and keep being patient.

That is the key I'm still learning my self patients.

Results from the 5 seeds I had growing mentioned above. One molded, one taproot broke, one hardened, one shrivelled up. One sprouted and gave me confidence to try again. My temp was too hot as it was peaking at 100 or so. I turned the fan on to pull out heat, and removed the clone dome and tried again.

Out of the next four germinated I now have 5 total babies. They are really growing. The strain is blueberry muffin from humboldt. One of them however is not like the others and I'm curious if I got an odd duck bean. The color is a lighter green, the leaves are skinnier and more rigid/textured. See if you can tell the which one is not like the others

Too wet. Even if it is coco you don't need to water daily with seedlings. You want to keep it damp not dripping wet like those pictures.

Avoid using jiffy pods, they work but constrict root growth. They also mold as you know.

As for the new girls they look ok... cant really help much till they grow up a little more.
You should not be feeding at all. I would not have added any nutes to your "soil" (coco should be treated more as a form of hydroponics than true soil).

Seeds are almost like eggs they can feed them self's for a short short period of time.
Feed as your girls ask for it. Get well versed in how to identify deficiencies and toxicity.

You can prep your medium but its nothing I would do. You need to know your strain very well so you know exactly how they feed and that can only be done with experience

Keep at it my friend. It's a wonderful hobby but can be very discouraging from time to time.

After transplant into 3 gallon fabric pots these girls are growin.