Germination issues

BurnzyBurnz said:

Hey everyone,

So after several grows I've always dreaded germination of seeds. I've never really had a full failure, I've always managed to save them or they grew properly. However after the last 4 seeds I've germinated (expensive humbolt seeds) I have had issues.

From start steps I use...

Paper towel method, wait til I see a good tap root usually within 48hrs to soil.
I plant about nuckle deep " 2cm " ... I plant in a Coco earth casting mix with added perlite. Room temp 26C humidity 65% - 70%. Light on for 12hrs a day.

Again I've never had an unsuccessful seed to break soil and continue onwards. However I do notice it can take upwards to 7 days before breaking soil. Also, typically the shell needs help to fall of via me. I also notice even after the shell is off the cotyledons are still stuck together by some sort of film.

I always plant root down and yet a couple times I've had to dig up the cotyledons to insure it doesn't grow down and die in the soil. I had to do that to both of these seeds. Clearly I am making a mistake somewhere. Can you help me ?

I've read tones and feel like I'm understanding everything and am following the steps properly. Also prior grows have been successful.

Am I supposed to keep the seeds always in the dark while performing the paper towel method... " Because I do. "

When I plant the tap root in soil am I supposed to keep it in the dark also ?

Am I not planting the tap root properly ? Or deep enough ?

* * * Do you know a better full proof method of successfully germinating / starting seedlings ??? * * *


All replies are greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you for taking the time to read and lend a helpful hand. Cheers.

See pictures for details. Ask me anything.

Click to expand...

Lordhooha said:

Holy crap man it looks like your drowning those little guys.

Click to expand...

BurnzyBurnz said:

I just watered using spray bottle hence why it looks so wet in the pictures.

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Lordhooha said:

That looks way over watered. Again find a proper seedling mix and start them in.

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BurnzyBurnz said:

Hey everyone,

So after several grows I've always dreaded germination of seeds. I've never really had a full failure, I've always managed to save them or they grew properly. However after the last 4 seeds I've germinated (expensive humbolt seeds) I have had issues.

From start steps I use...

Paper towel method, wait til I see a good tap root usually within 48hrs to soil.
I plant about nuckle deep " 2cm " ... I plant in a Coco earth casting mix with added perlite. Room temp 26C humidity 65% - 70%. Light on for 12hrs a day.

Again I've never had an unsuccessful seed to break soil and continue onwards. However I do notice it can take upwards to 7 days before breaking soil. Also, typically the shell needs help to fall of via me. I also notice even after the shell is off the cotyledons are still stuck together by some sort of film.

I always plant root down and yet a couple times I've had to dig up the cotyledons to insure it doesn't grow down and die in the soil. I had to do that to both of these seeds. Clearly I am making a mistake somewhere. Can you help me ?

I've read tones and feel like I'm understanding everything and am following the steps properly. Also prior grows have been successful.

Am I supposed to keep the seeds always in the dark while performing the paper towel method... " Because I do. "

When I plant the tap root in soil am I supposed to keep it in the dark also ?

Am I not planting the tap root properly ? Or deep enough ?

* * * Do you know a better full proof method of successfully germinating / starting seedlings ??? * * *


All replies are greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you for taking the time to read and lend a helpful hand. Cheers.

See pictures for details. Ask me anything. I just watered using spray bottle hence why it looks so wet in the pictures.

Click to expand...

jrelax said:

I had alot of germproblems before.

Today i got around 90% + germratio , and this happen when i start with cocoplugs from Ugro.
All i do is water up the cocoplugs and put seed in them. After 2-4 days seeds pop out nice.
i Give halfdosage rootfertiliser 2-3 days after they pop out
I have the smal plants about 7days in these coco plugs before i put them to bigger dirt pots with supersoilmix.

Sometimes i have the plugs in mini start plastic growhouse also, light is only 5-30watt led first days.
My computer modem give little heat so i put the minigrowhouse on my modem, this gives little underheat.
You can also buy Minigrowhouse and small heat mat under.

The plugs really save things and time for me today.
Love them

They is easy found world wide in every serious growshop. Ebay, Amazon and other sites

1 ,
buy ugro-coco-plug-24-pieces-38mm PICTURE DOWN:

View attachment 4264141

Put the plugs in water.
Place the seeds about 10mm deep.
Put the plugs in plastic growhouse
Use little heat under

View attachment 4264157

View attachment 4264154
View attachment 4264155

View attachment 4264144

After about 7days you can repot them to bigger dirt pots



View attachment 4264146

Coco plugs repotted to bigger soil/dirt pots

View attachment 4264147

I really recommend them.

So much more easy.
Much better Germ-ratios

watch this video only 45 seconds

They are cheap also.

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jrelax said:

Yes also Jiffy in greenhouse all in one that curious2garden shows is also good

This is the best way start the small babies.
Coco Plugs that you transplant later in bigger pots with dirt soil, or what you want.
Start the seeds in cocoplugs, and In little plastic growhouse.
Fantastic results i must say

I save alot money , need buy less seeds.
The plugs is free this way and more over to other things.
, and also makes my grow much better and easy start.
This is really the best thing i try

No plates, or papers and problems thanx to these super easy use cocoplugs
90% + Germratio now.

Before i only had germratio about 50%, whan i did the = soaking/paper plastic cup method.
This sucks .

Try germ your seeds next time with these coco plugs in little plastic grow house ,
and you will be much more happy grower !!!

Dont buy no name stuff.
There is difference

Jiffy and Ugro are the best ones.
Ugro is no1 if you ask me
i Have try 4 different coco plugs

2 noname
then Jiffy and Ugro.

Jiffy is very very good.
Anyway i love these Ugro little more ,
thats just me LOL

iTS Important yiu buy good brands like Jiffy or Ugro.
Because the noname coco plugs can be washed with salt wather. The self coco before they makes plugs of these.

Ugro i know is 100% natural, and saltfree. They also have the optimal PH value from start !

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curious2garden said:

One cause of seed loss is damping off from fungi and bacteria acquired from handling sprouting seeds. I use these and simply buy the pellet refills. I hydrate the peat pellets, put the seeds in about 3x the seed length deep, cover and place in a shoebox. If it's really cold I add a piece of 1/2" Styrofoam between the shoe box and heating pad turned on low.

I check on the third day and every 24 hours thereafter. I transplant the entire pellet to a pint pot of 50/50 coco/xlg perlite. I usually get 100% unless the seed is older or has been poorly stored and I grow a LOT of seeds since I pheno hunt.

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BurnzyBurnz said:

Thanks everyone I will try this method. Just understand you guys keep them under a small light ?

Click to expand...

BurnzyBurnz said:

Thanks everyone I will try this method. Just understand you guys keep them under a small light ?

Click to expand...

BurnzyBurnz said:

Hey everyone,

So after several grows I've always dreaded germination of seeds. I've never really had a full failure, I've always managed to save them or they grew properly. However after the last 4 seeds I've germinated (expensive humbolt seeds) I have had issues.

From start steps I use...

Paper towel method, wait til I see a good tap root usually within 48hrs to soil.
I plant about nuckle deep " 2cm " ... I plant in a Coco earth casting mix with added perlite. Room temp 26C humidity 65% - 70%. Light on for 12hrs a day.

Again I've never had an unsuccessful seed to break soil and continue onwards. However I do notice it can take upwards to 7 days before breaking soil. Also, typically the shell needs help to fall of via me. I also notice even after the shell is off the cotyledons are still stuck together by some sort of film.

I always plant root down and yet a couple times I've had to dig up the cotyledons to insure it doesn't grow down and die in the soil. I had to do that to both of these seeds. Clearly I am making a mistake somewhere. Can you help me ?

I've read tones and feel like I'm understanding everything and am following the steps properly. Also prior grows have been successful.

Am I supposed to keep the seeds always in the dark while performing the paper towel method... " Because I do. "

When I plant the tap root in soil am I supposed to keep it in the dark also ?

Am I not planting the tap root properly ? Or deep enough ?

* * * Do you know a better full proof method of successfully germinating / starting seedlings ??? * * *


All replies are greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you for taking the time to read and lend a helpful hand. Cheers.

See pictures for details. Ask me anything. I just watered using spray bottle hence why it looks so wet in the pictures.

Click to expand...

xtsho said:

I believe in planting directly into soil. Promix, worm castings, and vermiculite makes an excellent seed starting mix. I don't understand the reasoning behind germinating in a paper towel. Soaking the seed for a short time prior to planting does have merit and is used when starting seeds for many plant species. But after that get the seed into some dirt and let it sprout there. The root from the seed will know which way to go and the plant will push up from the soil without any unnecessary handling.

Also those pictures show way too much water. Even if you did just water them you watered too much.

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