Help Please!!!

[zezus]

So i have no problem germing seeds, I put the germed seeds into FFOF and most seeds I plant break the surface of the dirt and then stop. What the F? Can anyone please help me, I have had eight seeds in the past two weeks break the surface of the dirt and just stop. I just harvested my personal grow, so growing isn't the problem, just getting started. Could this be bad seeds? or bad parenting?

 

[rzza]

heat pad under the soil is nice and humidity is needed. so extra moisture and extra warmth.

 

[zezus]

Thanx for quick reply rzza. I put my solo cups with soil and seed on top of my grow case which generates heat. I then put them into my grow case under the lights when they break the surface. Humidity is pretty low though. How do you generate humidity and still keep fresh air moving? I have tried a home made dome, and they didn't even break the soil. Thanx!

 

[zezus]

Also, do those seed starting kits that come with heating pad and dome work? I have heard that the seedlings need fresh air and the humidity dome prevents that?

 

[doctor.j]

put a plastic bag over like a zip lock or something untill they are about an inch tall after that spray them with ph balanced water regularly untill they get about 3 inches and they should do nicely

 

[Fuzzbutter]

pre-sprout your seeds in a moist paper towel and then plant them once the spouts are over 1/2" I did this and got 14/20 sprouted from which I had to pick 7 and they are all doing AMAZING.

It's easy:
get 2 paper towels
fold them in half together
place the seeds in-between the folded area
dampen the paper towel (damp, not dripping, but not too dry either)
place the damp paper towel with seeds in a ziploc bag
put them somewhere dark for a couple days
ta-da!

 

[Snickelfrits]

pre-sprout your seeds in a moist paper towel and then plant them once the spouts are over 1/2" I did this and got 14/20 sprouted from which I had to pick 7 and they are all doing AMAZING.

It's easy:
get 2 paper towels
fold them in half together
place the seeds in-between the folded area
dampen the paper towel (damp, not dripping, but not too dry either)
place the damp paper towel with seeds in a ziploc bag
put them somewhere dark for a couple days
ta-da!
View attachment 1221174

tried and true method

 

[zezus]

Thanx guys , I totally got the paper towel method down. I get all the beans to crack with their root tip sticking out a 1/4 inch or so. I plant them, keep them in the dark and they break the surface of the soil.I put them under 5 6500k cfl and one 2700k cfl. Then thats it. the little starter leaves dont even pop out. I am totally gonna try the plastic bag method, Should I poke a few small holes in the bag for fresh air to get in. I know this is totally easy, but Im fucking something up somewhere. I have no problems once I get a plant, here is my 1st harvest from a week ago.

 

[rzza]

ive always been against this method because i see no reason to handle the seeds and seedlings. now i see a situation where it may be beneficial. i just never had a problem getting them to sprout.

op, water mister, humidome, humidifier, cup of water sitting out, wet rag hanging....

 

[GreenNerd420]

What kind of soil are you putting the seedlings in? What are you watering them with? Sounds like you're stunning them as soon as roots develop. I'd guess your soil isn't gentle enough. Are you using Jiffy pucks or rockwool? Or are you using Miracle Gro?

 

[irieie]

you check out this study from uconn. high humidity could be killing your babies
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/greenhs/htms/dampofgh.htm

 

[jawbrodt]

^Agreed, something is wrong with your medium, likely. If the seeds cracked and poked through the soil, the problem isn't your germination technique. Under/overwatering? It's pretty tough to overwater at that point, unless they are completely drenched. Underwatering, maybe. Is the soil staying moist? You're not feeding them yet, are ya? Water PH? How low is "pretty low" for the humidity? I grow at 30%, without problems, so it'd have to be really low, in order to stop plants in their tracks. Any idea what the temps are? Doesn't sound like it could be too low, but maybe too high? I've germed at close to 100*, with no problems. Do you have the fan blowing directly on them, constantly? That, combined with heat and really low humidity, could do the trick. Hmm....

 

[zezus]

I am using Fox Farm Ocean Forest. It does seem like I am shocking them somehow. I use water that I have declorinated and Ph'd to around 6.5 give or take a little and I keep the water at room temp. The grow box I put them in is usually between 85-90 degrees. I have tried Jiffy pucks and they didn't even sprout for me the few I tried. I put the soaked pellets with seed under a clear plastic humidity dome and nothing. I have not tried rock wool. I have heard different things about Fox Farm Ocean Forest and seedlings. Some swear by it and some say it is to much. Any recommendations are appreciated!!

 

[zezus]

Humidity is at about 20%. When I first started growing in the spring I am definitely guilty of overwatering. Learned the hard way like most. I spray the soil lightly with the ph water about twice a day just to keep it moist. Then I try not to add water until I have a plant, I know the soil can still be moist underneath the top layer. I do not give them any food until after the first two weeks of life and that is a pretty diluted food mix. I am using a PC case with fresh air coming in and going out.

 

[Fuzzbutter]

Try waiting til the sprout is 1/2" instead of a 1/4". Are you making absolutely sure that you place the root going in the right direction when you plant the sprouted seeds? The sprouted root has to be facing down towards the bottom of the container. How far down are you planting them? Don't bury them, only put them 1/2" down and LIGHTLY cover with soil so that they can break through it easier. Hope these tips help

BTW, I have a tech degree in horticulture and germinating plants was my dealio back in school, so I'd be more than happy to go more in depth if you want to PM me

Also, NO FERTILIZERS!!! ANY fertilizer is too harsh for sprouts and seedlings until they are about 1-2weeks above ground.

 

[jawbrodt]

^Do you water the soil when you first put the seed in it? If not, the bottom half is likely staying dry, which would kill the baby plants. Also, that humidity is awfully low, so make sure you have some kind of dome over them. A plastic bottle cut in half, works well. Just make sure to remove it a couple times a day, to let in fresh air, and prevent mold from forming.

 

[zezus]

I am totally putting the seed in root down. I even use tweezers so i don't disturb the root tip. I don't put the seeds in very deep at all. The last 4 that failed on me sprouted with 24 hrs, then stopped. I feel like I got that part down. I am shocking them somehow. What about just plane old top soil to start the plant?

 

[zezus]

I have not saturated the whole cup of soil before I put the seed in. I use my spray bottle and I give it a good amount of water but not enough to see it trickle out of the bottom. I will certainly try more humidity. What about my medium, Fox Farm Ocean Forest, any thoughts.

 

[jawbrodt]

^I use OF without problems. I also use MG soils, without problems. Now, I use a OF/Happy Frog mix, but before that, didn't have any problems. I don't think it's your soil.

 

[Fuzzbutter]

I have not saturated the whole cup of soil before I put the seed in. I use my spray bottle and I give it a good amount of water but not enough to see it trickle out of the bottom.

I think I know your problem. Try this next time, don't question, just try it:

•make sure your container has holes at the bottom
•put you soil in like you normally would to 3/4 the container full
•water the crap out of it and then let it sit and drain in a sink
•Water and let drain 3 times (yes you read that right)
•now place the seed in root down and cover with soil
•Now leave it alone and let the plant do it's thing

your substrate is definitely too dry and isn't allowing the roots to grow, hence why they are going into shock and dieing.