Germination/starting issues

I germinated (or attempted to) 9 seeds in distilled water and only had 5 create roots, although all of them cracked; and they sure seem to be slow to get started. Hoping to get some advice.

I dropped them into distilled water at noon on July 25. At noon on the 27th I put them (all had crashed and a few showed root tips) into paper towel. At 3pm on the 28th 5 of them had sprouted ~1/4” roots. I dipped each one in myco water I made with Roots Natural Myco and distilled water and then dropped them into FF Light Warrior, about 1/4” below the surface and pushed a little soil over the whole. I’ve been watering them 2x per day with a turkey baster of distilled water. All 5 that showed roots emerged but still only have the slightest HINT of serrated leaves and are less than 1” tall. None of the other seeds have emerged. They are outside in the shade but it’s in the upper 90’s in the afternoon. I have NOT let them dry out, so that’s not the issue. I tested the pH on the distilled water, though, and I got 5.7; which shocked me as I was expecting around 7. Could THIS, be the issue why the seeds are not germinating well and not growing faster? The seeds that didn’t germinate are mostly all 1 strain while most of those that DID germinate are all another strain.

I’m not sure whether to suspect the seeds, the water (or soil) or my technique. Any advice would sure be appreciated!
 

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
Hi DarkStar,
Seeds vary in their ability to absorb water. Older seeds also take longer to germ. So don't give up on those that haven't broke ground yet.

Nothing wrong with your technique...lots of guys do something similar. I personally put the seeds direct into the medium. Cheers though for using a proper seed starting mix. Also very bizarre about the low ph on distilled water. should be 7 like you had assumed.

So hang in there...sometimes time is all that's needed.
JD
 

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
ps: You won't see serrated leaves direct from the seed. Just cotyledons which are the little fat rounded ones that provide nutrient while the seedling grows. You obviously have a strong tendency to overtend things. Please restrain that urge regarding feeding them. Not until the first true leaves are fully developed. And only a very weak feeding...
JD
 
ps: You won't see serrated leaves direct from the seed. Just cotyledons which are the little fat rounded ones that provide nutrient while the seedling grows. You obviously have a strong tendency to overtend things. Please restrain that urge regarding feeding them. Not until the first true leaves are fully developed. And only a very weak feeding...
JD
Thanks man! Yeah, I’ve got too much free time on my hands so I’m prolly worrying about them more than necesssry. But it’s the cost of the seeds that concerns me most. Money is tight right now. I dug one up gently and put it in a Root Riot cube under a fluorescent fixture I got. Also started some other seeds using Root Riot cubes. I want to see if the 100° daily highs have been effecting the seeds I planted directly outside. Gonna start these under a light and gradually harden them to the outdoors to see if I get a better result.

Yeah, I wasn’t going to even attempt feeding them for a few weeks. There’s plenty of nutrients in the FF soil surrounding the Light Warrior. They shouldn’t need any food for a good while.

Here was one of the good ones from yesterday...
 

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JohnDee

Well-Known Member
DarkStar,
It's a lot less expensive to experiment on bag seeds. But I have to say you seem to be having good success. Keep it up man...
JD
 
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