Germination problem

Okay so i decided to germinate 8 more seeds because i have a feeling ill have bad luck and get all males with my current crops. I'm germinating the exact same way as before and the seeds are healthy and not old i already tested. But it's been 2 days and they haven't sprouted the little roots. I have them in a wet paper towel in a cd case for humidity and then in a plastic bag. They are in the dark too. What could be wrong? ANd don't say it's the seeds cause they're fine.

Two to five days is average. It will also help if you can keep the temp around 80*F.

oh i geuss my first batch germinated early. Haha i got scared. What can i do to keep it at that temp.

put it behind a tv or computer monitor

average grow said:

Okay so i decided to germinate 8 more seeds because i have a feeling ill have bad luck and get all males with my current crops. I'm germinating the exact same way as before and the seeds are healthy and not old i already tested. But it's been 2 days and they haven't sprouted the little roots. I have them in a wet paper towel in a cd case for humidity and then in a plastic bag. They are in the dark too. What could be wrong? ANd don't say it's the seeds cause they're fine.

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Man, its a weird year. Not sure where you are at location wise, but I am having problems germ'ing as well (east coast, US). Same setup as last year and their just no popping.
Now, granted, mine are a mix seed of my own creation; but I did the same with some "bag seed" of my own late last year and they popped quick. I have some nirvana's on the way and will see how their's do. Will post back later..

Yeah let me know man. I'm in the same are, NJ maybe there are some germination demons out there lol.

Get a seed germinating heat pad. Give it a few more days if your convinced the seeds are good.

average grow said:

Yeah let me know man. I'm in the same are, NJ maybe there are some germination demons out there lol.

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Well, my seeds came and I just started to germ them (literally two hours ago)...Only a few more days now and we shall see...

i will use a heating pad maybe the temps the problem. They still havent germed.

None of them germed i am so pissed.

For heat, I use a ceramic plate placed on top of a couple pieces of wood, on top of my ballast. Works great.
Also, for stubborn seeds I read about a technique on here that I actually tried with a couple stubborn seeds. They ended up germing, but who knows? What you do is take a small jewelry-type box or a matchbox. Cut some pieces of fine sandpaper and line the inside of the box with it (I glued mine in). You take your dry stubborn seeds and put 'em in the box, give it a dozen or so gentle shakes. The premise is that it scars or pits the shell a bit, allowing moisture in.

The warmth is the key. You need to use a thermometer to test the temp; you don't want it too hot or they will just mold and not germ. I used an old water bed heater that I dialed in to about 85 degrees (I think). I put it on a styrofoam piece to help conserve the heat and I put a towel over it with the thermometer and probe under it. It might take 3-4 days for them to pop. Also, you want the paper towel damp but not sopping wet but also make sure it does not get dried out.

average grow said:

None of them germed i am so pissed.

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Hey man...checking back in with ya. I germ'd five strawberry cough's. Four "popped" and one is trying real hard. Just a little nub poking out. It has been four and a half days now.
So, I am taking a chance and planted them in very small pete pot's in heavily watered fox farms soil.
I germ'd by watering down a couple time folded wet paper towel. Following that, about another thimble full of water into a ziploc bag and placed the seed folded into the paper towel into the ziploc.
From there, one more wrap in a bag that no light could get through. They sat on my tv tuner (mildy warm) and did barely squat.
Mind you, I did it the EXACT same last year with great success.
Will check back in on this thread in a few days; let ya know if anything in the soil that popped will take.

Weird year for this in our area; good learning experience.

I think that i may have had them too hot. I had them on a heating pad that you use for sore muscles and had it on medium. I think it got up around 90 degrees. I noticed they smelled a little weird so i think they molded. Damn.

I use my oven. Now before you think I'm crazy, here is what I did. I put the seeds in the wet paper towel, folded aluminum foil over the towel, put the towel and foil on a plate, inverted another plate over the plate with the seeds/towel/foil. Put the whole set up in my oven and left the door slightly ajar, and turned on the oven light. The light keeps the inside of the oven nice and warm, but it can get over 100 degrees in there just from the light, so leaving the door ajar it stayed right around 82 degrees. I left everything along for 36 hours then checked on the seeds ... all germinated nicely ... and now growing like weeds.

average grow said:

I think that i may have had them too hot. I had them on a heating pad that you use for sore muscles and had it on medium. I think it got up around 90 degrees. I noticed they smelled a little weird so i think they molded. Damn.

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My "second" batch of five and so far only two popped. They are planted in peet pots and are under-way. I'll give the remaining three couple more days then toss 'em in the yard.
So far, only five plants for me this year (and I have not started flower so no idea what is male yet).