tiny seeds not germinating

g1tana

Well-Known Member
I keep having a problem with little seeds the big 1's seem to germ fine, I don't know if this a coincidence but the 2 not germed are soma amnesia haze and white urkle both of which were very tiny seeds. I'm using the paper towel method and have now introduced some warmth to the bottom of my container and 10pm will be 72 hrs. I had 3 big seeds somalious blueeberry and bubbleluous all of which popped in 24hrs and after 48 have been planted. Anyone experience any problems with small seeds
 

bigbillyrocka

Well-Known Member
Some seeds can take time to germ. Small really has nothing to do with the rate of germination. I've had small seeds germ in less than 2 days and nice fat, plump tiger striped seeds take more than a week.
 

HotShot7414

Well-Known Member
With my experience with small seeds they germ under 24 hours unless they are too immature,but any seed size will germ with-in 2 days for me but i think thats is because
i wet the paper towel with a very high dose bloom nutes,plain water just seems to take a longer time for me.
 

bigbillyrocka

Well-Known Member
With my experience with small seeds they germ under 24 hours unless they are too immature,but any seed size will germ with-in 2 days for me but i think thats is because
i wet the paper towel with a very high dose bloom nutes,plain water just seems to take a longer time for me.
Never had any issues with that Hotshot? I ask because i too thought about doing this since where i now live, our water from tap is crap! Highly chlorinated, Smells like you're inside in an indoor pool so i have to use bottled water.
 

Edgar9

Well-Known Member
I don't think the size has anything to do with it.

I like the peat cubes with holes in them. That combined with a heat mat and humidity dome all under a bright CFL and I bet they would pop. The set up costs about $35 but it's worth every penny IMO since seeds cost so much.

After trouble with paper towels and zip lock bags etc I switched to the peat cubes, heat mat and dome and I'm getting 100% rates so far. I put the dome under a CFL in a work light. Makes for an awesome germ set up.
With the paper towel method you handle the seeds after they pop. That's actually bad believe it or not.
 

g1tana

Well-Known Member
My first time germinating I just soaked the peat pellets in warm water and planted 6 seeds and all popped. The next time tried this only 2 out of about 8 popped and they were all £15 odd a seed. I did the paper towel method last time with some success 5 out of 6 and this time so far 3 out of 5. I thought giving nutes wouldn't be a good idea however on the last set 4 outta 6 popped and the other 3 nothing after 7 days, so I squirted some rooting gel on the and forgot about them for another 7 days and 1 popped and went crazy with a 10cm root and deshelled itself all in the dark
 

g1tana

Well-Known Member
I also tried, as adviced by my local store to put seeds straight in into peat pellets and into my x-prop with jets on constant with 2 out of 10 success
 

jacfolly1

Member
I also tried, as adviced by my local store to put seeds straight in into peat pellets and into my x-prop with jets on constant with 2 out of 10 success
I use the KISS method. Dr. Greenthumb puts instructions for his germination of seeds and every seed has always popped for me. Wet paper towel method, then put inside a ziplock bag with the seal open (very important, do not seal!) place in a warm dark place( seed mats are great) but the top of the fridge works great too but make sure to cover with something dark on top to not let light in. These usually always pop within 24-72 hours but more times than not the first 24 hours. Place tap root pointing up and add an inch of soil on top and watch it grow. I use only R.O. water and he recommends this as well. I will NEVER use chlorinated water for any plant of mine, veggies included. Good luck!
 

g1tana

Well-Known Member
My tap water is 200ppm of what who know but we can't buy distilled water in the shops in the uk, closes I found was for cars lol
 

bigbillyrocka

Well-Known Member
I was always under the impression that distilled water is distilled water? Ive used it for everything from rinse cups (tattoo artist) to filling my battery in my car when the cells went dry...
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
I use the KISS method. Dr. Greenthumb puts instructions for his germination of seeds and every seed has always popped for me. Wet paper towel method, then put inside a ziplock bag with the seal open (very important, do not seal!) place in a warm dark place( seed mats are great) but the top of the fridge works great too but make sure to cover with something dark on top to not let light in. These usually always pop within 24-72 hours but more times than not the first 24 hours. Place tap root pointing up and add an inch of soil on top and watch it grow. I use only R.O. water and he recommends this as well. I will NEVER use chlorinated water for any plant of mine, veggies included. Good luck!
More interested in the Doc. Do you live in the US? If so how long did it take them to send your seed?
 

g1tana

Well-Known Member
It may well be but at 100ltr nute change would be ridiculously expensive, the plant in profile pic got to the point where I was doing 2 nute changes in 1 week
 

Edgar9

Well-Known Member
Are you using a heat mat? They really make a difference no matter what method you're using. The seeds need warmth to get the burst of energy they need to sprout.
 
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