Always squeeze the seed firmly between thumb and index finger PRIOR to planting or trying to germinate.

If it doesnt crush, its a good seed, suitable for germin...unless the weed had mold in it. Mold usually starts deep in the bud and the seeds are the first things the spores try to feed off.

When I soil germ....I wait about 7 days...if nothing, then I gently...oh so ever gently...move the dirt from where the sprout should be and see if I can find any sprout growing.

If not by 7 days, the seed was bad.