Germination-Seedling Won't Come Out Of Shell / Stunted Growth

Was wondering if anyone can chime in on what's going on here? I really don't care if they make it or not at this point, but I do Need to know why? Is it just a bad seed(s)? Did I do something wrong?

They germinated, first day they cracked and showed a tiny little white nub near the crack. Then 4-5 days no growth at all. Then on the sixth day they had 1/2"-1" long tap root. Into Rockwool, heat mat, dome+tray, 78.8F (26C) 90%RH.

They get a few drops of water 2-3 times a day to help keep the shell moist and fall off, but to no avail. Her sibling in the same shot is seen with her seed STILL attached. Her first set of leaves were growing, and the seed was still stuck to the two cotyledon's and they were closed shut at the top.... I finally helped her get loose and she came through fine.

One on the left broke through RW and has been stuck like that for the past 7 days, I have just left it alone, only watering it. One on right grew tall, but the seed was stuck on... almost coming off. I helped the one side off and that is what remained. Also just watering it, nothing else. PH5.7 water.
^[mini-update, in the last day, the right seedling's stem (with the stuck seed) started to shrivel up a little bit near the top. She did NOT dry out, she was kept moist the entire time...?]
^(yes there was a third sibling. Her taproot showed, she was put into the rock wool, she simple never grew at all.)

1. your light is to far away
2. don't worry abought the shell
3. make sure the cube is not sitting in any of its run off if you lift the cube and more than a few drops of water drip off then its over saterated

Hmm, that rockwool looks pretty wet and yes those seeds are stalled. It could be for any number of reasons. Get the light closer. Let the rockwool dry out some. If you're using a dome stop.

Are you going to be growing hydro? Because if not there is no reason to use rockwool for starting seeds and soil is much easier to sprout seeds in.

I've had seed like that before that ended up turning into decent plants. Odds are against you but you never know. Good luck.

xtsho said:

soil is much easier to sprout seeds in

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This has to do with the taproot communicating with microbes in the soil, signaling the availability of food.

PS seeds are tough little fuckers when it comes to drying out... They will literally go 2 weeks before keeling over.

ANC said:

This has to do with the taproot communicating with microbes in the soil, signaling the availability of food.

PS seeds are tough little fuckers when it comes to drying out... They will literally go 2 weeks before keeling over.

Click to expand...

I don't know what it is but I've started seeds in rockwool, rapid rooters, coco, vermiculite, etc... The most robust seedlings always came from seeds started in good soil. I grow in 100% coco but start my seeds in those small square thin plastic nursery pots. 3 x 3 or something like that.

It's better to be on the dry side than the wet side when starting seeds. They are tough. Leaving them alone is usually better than messing with them.

Some microbes are already inside the seed before germination.... it is a fascinating part of biology we are only starting to scratch now.

Joint Monster said:

Was wondering if anyone can chime in on what's going on here? I really don't care if they make it or not at this point, but I do Need to know why? Is it just a bad seed(s)? Did I do something wrong?

They germinated, first day they cracked and showed a tiny little white nub near the crack. Then 4-5 days no growth at all. Then on the sixth day they had 1/2"-1" long tap root. Into Rockwool, heat mat, dome+tray, 78.8F (26C) 90%RH.

They get a few drops of water 2-3 times a day to help keep the shell moist and fall off, but to no avail. Her sibling in the same shot is seen with her seed STILL attached. Her first set of leaves were growing, and the seed was still stuck to the two cotyledon's and they were closed shut at the top.... I finally helped her get loose and she came through fine.

One on the left broke through RW and has been stuck like that for the past 7 days, I have just left it alone, only watering it. One on right grew tall, but the seed was stuck on... almost coming off. I helped the one side off and that is what remained. Also just watering it, nothing else. PH5.7 water.
^[mini-update, in the last day, the right seedling's stem (with the stuck seed) started to shrivel up a little bit near the top. She did NOT dry out, she was kept moist the entire time...?]
^(yes there was a third sibling. Her taproot showed, she was put into the rock wool, she simple never grew at all.)


View attachment 4091579
View attachment 4091580

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If the drops of water dont work and its still this way after 48 hrs you are going to have to crack it for it to survive IMO.

For me its easiest to use 2 razorblades, but ive done it with my fingernails. You stand a great risk of decapitating it.

I always use aquarium water to water my seeds in, sometimes I'll clean a filter in the water first.

It is also important to spray your leaves with these as to help to spread microbes all over the plant. They act like an immune system and probably do a host of things we don't even know yet..

The resistance of soil tends to help remove the seed as it comes up. I get seeds with helmet head all the time. I just split the seed open with my fingers, making sure not to pull up or twist to hard. Tweezers can help as well. I killed a couple seedlings when I first started but it's like second nature now. The key is to try and only put stress on the seed shell itself.

I try and let them do it on their own. But if the stem is green and they aren't making progress its time for it to go.

Thanks for the insight guys! I really love these kinds of conversations!

Anyways the one on the right died. The one on the left still has a chance. They were under 400W Led, like 30" away... might have been too far, I need to invest in a Lux meter!

They were started under the dome, with a CFL/LED Bulb from a Lamp, that was about 3-5" from the tops of them. Then I moved to LED when the rest popped out, figured those two stragglers would manage, but I guess not.

Hmm.. yeah they might be a little on the wet side. I'm still getting used to working with RW again. I had a nice seedling dry up on me overnight, (I gave her like 4ml of water at night, woke up to her bone-dry!), then started error-ing on the completely opposite end of the spectrum. But you're right, when they're that small, a little dryer is better than a little wet.

I was going to hydro, but I have healthy girls in my hydro spot now. I was just going to run these two on the side in hempy-buckets for pheno hunting, and a little strain variety. I will make some adjustments and let ya'll know how she does!

Yep... she dead. (was the one on the right.)

Dome and too wet = dampening off which is what happened to that one in the picture. I never use a dome when starting seeds. There is no need.
I'm a big fan of starting seeds in soil. They just seem to do better. I've had no issues in the past moving them to hydro.

xtsho said:

Dome and too wet = dampening off which is what happened to that one in the picture. I never use a dome when starting seeds. There is no need.
I'm a big fan of starting seeds in soil. They just seem to do better. I've had no issues in the past moving them to hydro.

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This is correct. The taproot is too small to breathe its way around all the moisture. It essentially drowns/smothers in water. Even if it didn’t, it could propagate anaerobic bacteria to be constantly moist with no air circulation or drying period.