Seeds popped but stopped

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So this was supposed to be my 4th run. So far I've ran 5 mephisto dbl grape x strawberry nuggets, then 4 fastbuds purple lemonade, then 6 fastbuds banana purple punch. This time around I've changed a few things but up until this point I've never had an issue getting a plant going. The only change in how I do things really that would play any role here would be the new floraflex 700w lights causing an increase in temps. So previously I'd pop seeds by tossing them in a shot glass full of Poland spring water for a day then into paper towel and a zip lock bag not zipped all the way closed for a day. By this time I've had nothing but 1/2 tails that turned into plants. This time around i popped 4 speedrun terp sneeze which ended with one dead seed that wouldnt sink or anything. Popped another and it went well and they went into the 4 pot autopot system I picked up. Then I tried popping the remaining 8 terp sneeze I had. 7 of 8 popped in the shot glass but made no change in the paper towel. I didn't know what to do and planted them in hopes they were just running slow and would eventually sprouts and grow. 2 days later and nothing. Since then I threw 3 mephisto Amethyst nuggets in the shot glass for a day, they popped then went into the paper towel, and no change. The only real change I believe is the temps in the tent because of the lights but I thought warmer climates were better for seeds. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm afraid I killed at least 10 of these 16
 
So this was supposed to be my 4th run. So far I've ran 5 mephisto dbl grape x strawberry nuggets, then 4 fastbuds purple lemonade, then 6 fastbuds banana purple punch. This time around I've changed a few things but up until this point I've never had an issue getting a plant going. The only change in how I do things really that would play any role here would be the new floraflex 700w lights causing an increase in temps. So previously I'd pop seeds by tossing them in a shot glass full of Poland spring water for a day then into paper towel and a zip lock bag not zipped all the way closed for a day. By this time I've had nothing but 1/2 tails that turned into plants. This time around i popped 4 speedrun terp sneeze which ended with one dead seed that wouldnt sink or anything. Popped another and it went well and they went into the 4 pot autopot system I picked up. Then I tried popping the remaining 8 terp sneeze I had. 7 of 8 popped in the shot glass but made no change in the paper towel. I didn't know what to do and planted them in hopes they were just running slow and would eventually sprouts and grow. 2 days later and nothing. Since then I threw 3 mephisto Amethyst nuggets in the shot glass for a day, they popped then went into the paper towel, and no change. The only real change I believe is the temps in the tent because of the lights but I thought warmer climates were better for seeds. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm afraid I killed at least 10 of these 16

The heat shouldn't bother them I only soak them for 3-5 hrs then direct plant I usually see them above ground sprouted in 3-5 days. I wasn't a fan of paper towel method and that has nothing to do with the microscopic root hairs being damaged but being able to keep the moisture level proper I was lucky if I was getting 50% germination with that method I get near 100% germ rate now
 
So this was supposed to be my 4th run. So far I've ran 5 mephisto dbl grape x strawberry nuggets, then 4 fastbuds purple lemonade, then 6 fastbuds banana purple punch. This time around I've changed a few things but up until this point I've never had an issue getting a plant going. The only change in how I do things really that would play any role here would be the new floraflex 700w lights causing an increase in temps. So previously I'd pop seeds by tossing them in a shot glass full of Poland spring water for a day then into paper towel and a zip lock bag not zipped all the way closed for a day. By this time I've had nothing but 1/2 tails that turned into plants. This time around i popped 4 speedrun terp sneeze which ended with one dead seed that wouldnt sink or anything. Popped another and it went well and they went into the 4 pot autopot system I picked up. Then I tried popping the remaining 8 terp sneeze I had. 7 of 8 popped in the shot glass but made no change in the paper towel. I didn't know what to do and planted them in hopes they were just running slow and would eventually sprouts and grow. 2 days later and nothing. Since then I threw 3 mephisto Amethyst nuggets in the shot glass for a day, they popped then went into the paper towel, and no change. The only real change I believe is the temps in the tent because of the lights but I thought warmer climates were better for seeds. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm afraid I killed at least 10 of these 16
Germing happens at a very wide range of temps. If they all popped a tap root they should have started growing unless they got drowned out somehow. If you are germing seeds in a shot glass why go to paper towel after? Seems unnecessary imo, If the seed cracked open and a tap root has developed I would just go ahead and sow the seed into whatever home you're gonna grow it out in.

My personal favorite method is to prep my pot, doesnt matter if its an auto pot or a grow bag. Saturate the soil or medium thoroughly give it a few hours to work its way through the pot and even out. Then I just pop my seed straight from the pack to the dirt. Keep my light nice and close, on the lowest power level, for warmth and sow about first knuckle deep on my pinky. I'll watch it closely for the first few days and keep the surface heavily misted with plain water and usually by the 5th day max theres a sprout. Currently Im at 100% germ rate but Ive only grown but maybe 12 plants total the 3 years I've been on here.
 
Sorry to read about this. Been there and done that so I know from experience that's both frustrating and expensive.

The water sounds OK but how about the paper towel? Any chance it's scented or might have a chemical in it that's killing the seed?

I describe my first efforts at germinating seeds as "carnage".

I used rock wool and just tee totally screwed things up so I decided to do myself a favor and look for something that was bona fide idiot proof. I drop my seeds in water and then into Rapid Rooters when the radicle pops. That's "known good medium" to "known good medium" and it works out really, really well.
 
Sorry to read about this. Been there and done that so I know from experience that's both frustrating and expensive.

The water sounds OK but how about the paper towel? Any chance it's scented or might have a chemical in it that's killing the seed?

I describe my first efforts at germinating seeds as "carnage".

I used rock wool and just tee totally screwed things up so I decided to do myself a favor and look for something that was bona fide idiot proof. I drop my seeds in water and then into Rapid Rooters when the radicle pops. That's "known good medium" to "known good medium" and it works out really, really well.

I've spent a few days going through some of my grow journals and photos of my grows with chatGPT.

Below is my new process for germination.

Cannabis Seed Germination with Rapid Rooters
Step 1 — Pre-Soak the Seeds

  • Place seeds in a clean beaker or cup.
  • Fill with RO or distilled water (preferred over tap water).
  • Optional: Add 1–2 mL of 3% H■O■ per cup (250 mL) for oxygenation and to suppress mold.
  • Soak duration: 12–24 hours — long enough for the seed coat to soften and radicle to crack. After that, oxygen be
  • Do not exceed 24 hours to avoid oxygen deprivation.
  • If left sitting uncovered, RO can pull in CO■ from air and drift acidic (not an issue in a short 24–48 hr soak).
Step 2 — Prepare the Rapid Rooters
  • Remove desired plugs from storage.
  • Soak plugs in RO or distilled water for a few hours.
  • Lightly shake off excess water; they should be moist, not dripping.
  • Place plugs into a seed-starting tray or insert tray.
Step 3 — Plant the Seeds
  • Once the radicle is visible, gently place each seed into the hole of a Rapid Rooter.
  • Position the seed radicle (root) down, shell upward.
  • Cover lightly with a small piece of the plug material if needed.
Step 4 — Maintain Conditions
  • Add ~¼" of water to the bottom of the tray so plugs wick moisture upward.
  • Place a humidity dome over the tray to keep RH high (70–90%).
  • Keep temperature around 75–80°F (24–27°C).
  • Provide ~300 µmol once seedlings emerge.
Step 5 — Transition
    • When roots are visible through the plug and the seedling has 2–3 sets of true leaves:
    • Transplant into hydro, soil, or coco.
    • Begin feeding with a mild nutrient solution (e.g., 0.5–0.8 EC).


Tips
  • Handle radicles carefully — they are very delicate.
  • Avoid letting plugs dry out completely.
  • Label plugs to track strains or phenos.
The comments about RO water in the beaker/cup losing oxygen was interesting. I've seen growers leave seeds submerged for multiple days and never thought that the water could have absorbed enough CO2 to reduce the chance of success.

The original advice was that seedlings should get 100-300µmol but I've changed that because, even though my practice is to aggressively increase PPFD, my seedlings have always been leggy.

This is day 11 for these seedlings, using the light levels I've pasted in below.

1755917006843.jpeg



As best I can tell, just those first few days at <200 + the Vipar were enough to make them so slender that they needed support. The XS 1500 is the Vipar Spectra and the "Puck" is a Rapid LED Royal Blue puck. Perhaps I should have used the puck earlier? (insert joke about not giving a "puck")

By using GPT, I also learned that the Rapid Rooters are essentially inert and that the proper way to provide water to the seedlings is to leave the RR's in ¼" water.

1755917060070.png


HTH.
 
Just don't use Root Riot plugs. They've killed every seed I put in them.

Now using Coir Coins
 
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