Are you planting the seeds in dry soil and then watering?

Water the soil first to have it settle and then try planting. The germination doesn't seem to be your problem if you're able to sprout a tap root. Just seems like you're having trouble finding the right balance in the soil.

My suggestion?

Water the soil so that it is damp and compacts on itself before you plant the seed. You don't need to pack it with your hand.. gravity and the weight of the water is ideal

You could even do this a day ahead to ensure the top part of the soil isn't to wet . You don't need mud.. just settled, damp and mildly compact soil.

hope this helps.
Bob.
BobBong Reviewed by BobBong on . WhY CaNt I gErMiNaTe!!!!!!!! -NEED HELP_! ok this is my second atempt at a grow that i had to trassh. soil was mixed into a 5 gal. 50%Scotts Potting Soil + 50% Scotts perlite. hand full of lime. first attpemt- i germinated in a cup for 1 week until a tap root was revealed (didn't want to wait for it to grow a 1/4 inch cuz i was scared i would damage it) then tranferd the seeds into the soil. from there i underwaterd and the roots dried out and died. second attemp - germinated for 48 hours (24h until they fell, 24h after they Rating: 5