germination problems... and a general question

I had 5 afghan seeds, 6 orange bud seeds, 6 northern lights seeds, a couple trainwreck seeds, and some "mixed" seeds from a seed shop. I bought them all last year... these are the ones I didn't plant last year (I only planted half last year).

I did the "paper towel" method a couple weeks ago, and most of the afghans "sprouted", but only one of the orange bud and none of the northern lights. A trainwreck and a "mixed" or two also sprouted. But the main plant I want to grow is the northern lights... I'm disappointed that they aren't popping.

So I put them in a container of water. It's been over two weeks. Still only one of the OB buds has sprouted. And none of the northern lights has come out. What gives? The seeds are the ones I didn't plant last year. So I guess they are a year old from when I bought them... a little over a year. Did they go bad? Last year I had no problems with the Northern Lights popping or any others. I guess seeds go bad or something... I thought they lasted a long time though... any advice?

Also, other then "feminized seeds", is there any way to increase the likelihood that a plant will turn out female? Last year all my plants turned out male. I germinated some northern lights, afghan, and orange bud... but most died young because I started the plants in pre-fertilized soil (that is my guess as to why). Of the ones that survived, they were all male. I think this may be because of the stress they endured when they were young in the fertilized soil. I've heard stress causes male plants.

This year has turned out better as far as sprouted seeds surviving. Every seed I have that has sprouted has survived. I have 3 afghan, 3 mixed, 1 orange bud, and 1 trainwreck plant. They are in plastic cups in the woods, raised in weighted down 2 liter bottles so no rodents get to them, in regular soil. They get about 5 to 7 hours of direct sun a day. They seem to be thriving and very healthy. I want to make sure I get a harvest this hear, and possibly some more seeds.

I plan on waiting until they are twice as tall as the cup, and then transplanting them to a bigger pot (probably the two liter itself filled with soil. I'll probably start using fertilizer then too... very lightly. Then when they get bigger I'll but them in 3 or 5 gallon pots. Sound like a good plan? I just don't want to stress them... I want some girls this time around!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Yeah, I've had some seed germinating problems, myself. Only White Widow for me, though.

They've been in a cup of water for 4 days, and only one (out of five) have cracked.

But I've been told that some seeds can easily take at least a week to crack, even if the germination conditions are perfect.

Which is ok, because the weather here in Seattle took a HUGE turn for the worse, and I don't wanna be putting any plants (inclduing my flowers and veggies) outside until it starts to get warmer.

It's frickin' June, and the high for this week is supposed to be like 62. So stupid.

But, uh, yeah, I wouldn't start freaking out yet. Just wait a little while more.

Thanks.... let me know how yours do. I've heard a week or two sometimes also. But as the rest of my seeds go on 3 weeks now I'm seriously doubting they'll germinate. Hell, some of them even look like they're starting to dissolve in the water... which can't be good.

Well, two more of my seeds have cracked since I posted. So, you know, guess cannabis seeds just take FOREVER. But weather is still on the crappy side. So I'm not too upset.