Germination question

[bigfootbullies]

I am having a problem germinating some seeds, was hoping you could help me out.
I germinated 10 White Rhino seeds July 28 using the paper towel and tow saucer method.
About 4 days later, 9 of them cracked. I put them into soaked rockwool cubes under t-5 flourescent.Its now been 6 days since I put them into cubes, still no sign of sprouts. I got alittle antsy and cracked some of the cubes open to check on the progress. Some of the seeds had not sprouted much at all while a couple of them had, that was a couple of days ago and still no sprout.....Am I just being overly impatient?

bigfootbullies Reviewed by bigfootbullies on 08-08-2008. Germination question I am having a problem germinating some seeds, was hoping you could help me out. I germinated 10 White Rhino seeds July 28 using the paper towel and tow saucer method. About 4 days later, 9 of them cracked. I put them into soaked rockwool cubes under t-5 flourescent.Its now been 6 days since I put them into cubes, still no sign of sprouts. I got alittle antsy and cracked some of the cubes open to check on the progress. Some of the seeds had not sprouted much at all while a couple of them had, Rating: 5

[Barney Trouble]

you made sure the taproot was facing up, right? Could be the seeds or the soil, hard to say. How long was the tap when you planted the seeds?

[TheMetal1]

you made sure the taproot was facing up, right?

I hope you are asking if he planted it facing UP so you can correct him.

Seeds should be planted no more than 1/3 of an inch deep. The taproot should face DOWN. You may put the pots under a propagation dome until the cotyledons emerge, but as soon as you see them, remove the dome- at this point they are vulnerable to damping-off, a fungal disease that is incurable and deadly.

-I think it goes without saying that this quote and all information given by the poster is bankable :thumbsup:

It's not like it won't work facing UP, I guess... but the taproot that comes out of the seed shell ends up being the bottom of the plant... not the top. Let's get it right and keep it right, yahh mean? :hippy:

Oh and to the OP... the seeds don't really need light, and it will actually just aid in drying out the soil. Try to get ahold of a propagation dome. Moisture and patience is what will bring those babies to life. Good luck :thumbsup:

[bigfootbullies]

The tap roots were facing down. They werent very long, just out of the seed casing.

[hudson88]

IME the taproot (and then the stem) grows very quickly after the seed first cracks open, so i'm surprised you say when you opened the cubes after a few days "Some of the seeds had not sprouted much at all" Are your temps ok? And are the taproots properly in contact with the rockwool and able to take up water? (did you notice if the taproot was moist and soft when you opened the cubes)

Other than that like metal says a humidity dome will help along with a little patience.

Good luck!

[bigfootbullies]

The temps are ok. Tap roots seem to be in good contact. I beleive that I may have just been impatient and dug around too much and stunted them. Plan B is to let these ones go and see what happens and germinate my next batch (with more patience) and hope for the best. I am also going to try some Golden Humic Extract with this batch to help with germination.

[norkali]

I have had a 100% success ratio using Black Gold Seedling Starter Mix.

Not 1 seed has failed using this stuff. I don't even have to care about temps. All I do is spray the top if the soil with regular tap using a spray bottle once or twice a day to keep it moist. I am serious. 100% success ratio. Not to mention, over the course of my indoor growing, I've popped one male seed, with non feminised seeds, and I don't even think I was using the Black Gold that time to start them. ...Just letting you know, if you want to stop the stress of having seeds that don't 'work'.

BTW, f*** the paper towel method. They may pop open and sprout the taproot in the paper towel, but in my earlier, first attempts at growing, some always managed to die in the process of getting into soil. Also, a lot turned out being males....just my experience.

As for right now, leave them alone, keep them moist. Keyword being: moist. Not wet. Good luck man!

[Dutch Pimp]

I agree, norkali....moist...

I also think, it helps to the keep the temp of the soil/air above 85 degrees...the first few days. IMO.

[Rusty Trichome]

Do you rinse the rockwool like a sponge, first? (rinses some of the acidity out, from what I hear)

BTW, f*** the paper towel method.

Just because you have problems with it does not mean it's a bad method. I understand your eagerness to share a product that works...but...why blast a germination technique that works?
Likely, if you are failing while using a technique a lot of us are sucessful at, you've done something wrong along the way. Stuff like daily moisture check, (not too dry, not soaking) keeping away from light, keeping temps within a comfortable range, not giving nutes till appropriate to do so, are all important factors in your success, same as starting with good, fresh genetics whenever possible.

Try scuffing-off the waxy seed coating along the seeds suture, with some fine sandpaper. (the striker on matchbooks work fine) Do not sand all the way to the embryo. Just a little scuff helps bunches on the tough-to-crack seeds.
This allows the moisture to be absorbed quicker, signaling that it's time to crack. After they pop, lay seed on top of soil, taproot down, and cover with as much soil as the seed is long. If the seed is 1/8 inch long, cover with 1/8 inch (or so) soil. Keep soil kinda moist using a sprayer instead of 'pouring-in' the water, for the first week or so. Keeps from disturbing the soil, and sinking the seeds deeper into the soil. As the seed pushes out her taproot, fine hairs along the root anchor themselves to the surrounding soil. If you water 'heavily' it will break them loose, and seed will not have a 'grip' any more. (possibly causing seed fatalities)

They may pop open and sprout the taproot in the paper towel, but in my earlier, first attempts at growing, some always managed to die in the process of getting into soil.

Possibly due to improper handling, or old/bad genetics...?

Also, a lot turned out being males....just my experience.

I'm real doubtful this is really the case, and will continue to be doubtful without some proof.
As with every grow technique we use, the more you understand the mechanics of what you are doing, (and why) the easier a technique should get.

I know some larger seeds (gourds, luffas...) I was told (MyGourdSpace.com) to scuff the suture, and plant with the taproot up, as the seed uses the pointy-end of the seed to 'spear' it's way thru the soil. (true story) With cannabis seeds, I wouldn't do it on purpose, but doubtful that it would cause damage as long as the soil isn't disturbed, flooded, too dry, too hot... (not above 80's is fine)

HTH...

[norkali]

Just because you have problems with it does not mean it's a bad method. I understand your eagerness to share a product that works...but...why blast a germination technique that works?

Yeah it works, but just not very well. Paper towels damage those small, fine hairs that are growing on a freshly-cracked taproot. It provides, IMO, nothing beneficial compared to a soil-start, only negative aspects such as light exposure, rough handling, and a guaranteed transplant within the first days of life.

Besides, look the the flip side, why wouldn't you support a germination technique that has had (in my personal experience at least) a 100% success ratio? -Or- why choose a method that doesn't work as well? Nature chose the soil method, and it's been working wonderfully for thousands of years now. :wtf:

Possibly due to improper handling, or old/bad genetics...?

Possibly, it is also likely that the fine hairs on the taproot were sheared off, due to using the paper towel method.

I'm real doubtful this is really the case, and will continue to be doubtful without some proof.
As with every grow technique we use, the more you understand the mechanics of what you are doing, (and why) the easier a technique should get.

Of course, we can't tell now. I do personally believe though that the paper towel method will give you a higher ratio of males; simply due to stress. It has been theorized that higher levels of stress on a plant will lead to higher ratios of males to females. Lets compare numbers....how many of your last 10 (non-feminised) seeds have been female/male?