Brand new to DWC, and yes I've done a ton of research. Over the years I've saved seeds but can't get them to germinate in a rockwool/ mesh net setting. Using 1000w LED full spectrum, non oscillating fan, charcoal filter w/195 cfm fan, air intake is in planning stage. I'm using R/O water no nutes (yet). Plz advise!
seeds won't germinate
- Thread starter Dorf
- Start date
Old_fart_stoner
Well-Known Member
Buy some quality genetics and use the tried and true paper towel method
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Rurumo
Well-Known Member
Guide to Cannabis Germination & Planting of Cannabis Seeds
How to germinate your Mandala cannabis seeds and care for seedlings.
www.mandalaseeds.com
I read your post on 3% H2O2 3ml/500 ml solution for 12 hours...I'm gonna try it today! Can I re-use seeds already in rockwool or start over w/new (old) seeds?
coherent
Well-Known Member
Not sure what the lights. filters and fans etc you listed have to do with germinating seeds. They should be kept moist, warm and in a dark place. Personally I soak in a shot glass for 12-18 hours (plain r/o water) then put in a damp paper towel in a open zip lock. All the time a dark drawer in a warm spot. As soon as they sprout (24-48 more hours or so) I plant into solo cups with coco/perlite. Then keep the medium moist and put a zip lock over the top of the cup to keep it humid. So far about 98% plus success. If you're doing this or something close, the seeds may simply be old or were poorly stored and they went bad. If seeds are stored correctly they should last years... if not then they can go bad pretty quick.
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xtsho
Well-Known Member
You're probably keeping them too wet. Soak seeds for a few hours. Before you put them in the rockwool shake all the water out of it so it's damp but not soaking wet. Seeds will rot in too wet of conditions before they're able to sprout. Also, if they're seeds that you've saved over the years their viability is questionable as well. How did you store them and how old are they?
Thanks for the response! I was afraid I was drowning them. I'll take them off the "veg" light and try this. I stored them in airtight glucose test strip container in a dark area. My guess is they're 3-4 years old. If/when they sprout they sprout, how long before putting them in rockwool?
drsaltzman
Well-Known Member
Less water.
Less light.
Warm temps.
Plant more than you need.
Less light.
Warm temps.
Plant more than you need.
Info was provided to identify what I am doing. Obviously I dont have a clue! I will also try this method and hope for the best. Thanks for the input!
MAGpie81
Well-Known Member
3 - 4 years old...
I tried with some that old by soaking them in 6pH filtered well-water overnight on my water heater.
They sprouted little tails, so I put them in jiffy-pellets (soaked and ready, of course!) and in my usual tray+dome on heat mat under single bulb LED veg light...
...and nothing...
Long response to say your seeds are probably too old.
Any info is appreciated at this point thank you!
MAGpie81
Well-Known Member
Of course! I don’t mean to dissuade you.
I have good success with Rapid Rooter plugs in the past. They are made of mostly(all?) organic (in the “non-synthetic” meaning of the term) material, and provide lots of durable air pockets for roots to seek out.
I’ve never germinated in rockwool but I’ve found clones I tried in them didn’t seem to root nearly as fast as in RR; rockwool if squished doesn’t bounce back, so no recovering “lost air pockets”.
Seedling tray with a dome on a heat mat, kept above 70 but below 85. Most mats are set for an optimal range, but external ambient temps can cause the air and medium inside to fluctuate in temperature.
Keep whatever medium you use moist but not drowning in water.
As far as light goes- I’ve had mixed results with having lights on or off. The seed needs dark, hence putting down into medium (I only barely just cover seed in medium- if rockwool or Rapid Rooter or Soil- get your seed just into the hole, then pinch off some medium and lightly cover your seed enough to block light. Don’t push your seed down far!- in my experience). As soon as seed sprouts though, it will be searching for that light!
Use a misting spray bottle to moisten the top.
Also- leaving your medium with just an inch or couple centimeters of water surounding the bottom for the first couple of days allows the medium to soak up what moisture it needs through capillary action without over saturating your medium; however- Rockwool, Rapid Rooters, Jiffy Pellets/Soil, all have different rates at which they dry out, so check in a couple times per day.
This is my 2 cents, not a guarantee.
Good luck!
I am soooo happy I joined this forum! I'm sure I'll have many more questions as my success evolves with all your help! I've already started a 2 hour soak and a 12-18 hour soak in R/O water. Lights and fans are now off....room temp 76-80 and 55-60% humidity are pretty constant. Ziplocks and damp towels at the ready....will advise. Thanks again!
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
Provide warmth, darkness and moisture.
Yes, that is all.........
Yes, that is all.........
Lordhooha
Well-Known Member
Hell yah though I don’t do that I give them a 650r a few feet away at 50%.
Ok gang, I promised an update and here it is. It's been 9 days. I've had seeds on a 2 hour soak also a 24 hour soak in r/o water with a pH of 7-7.5, in a damp napkin inside a ziploc. I keep them in the microwave as its dark, warm(?) and less air as suggested. I have very recently neutralized the water down to 5.5-6.0 and not 1 has sprouted. I will try another soak with pH balanced r/o water but am getting very discouraged. Windowsill is not an option as it has limited light and nosey neighbors. Rest assured I value your input, so thanks in advance
Rurumo
Well-Known Member
Seeds don't need darkness to sprout. Skip paper towels and ziplocks-paper towels are full of BPA, bleach, and glue, none of which are good for seeds, and they aren't getting the oxygen they need in a zip lock. Put them in soil (or coco, or a rapid rooter), under a MILD light, 78-80 degrees, moist (like a wrung out sponge) not wet-that's it. I just planted 75 tomato plants, 10 different types, and just got 100% germination rate doing this. You are making this way too complicated and are killing your seeds with good intentions.