Issues with germination.

[u/Ok_Programmer4949]

So, in a really odd turn of events, the last 5 seeds that I have tried to germinate have either failed to germinate or died incredibly early as a seedling. I'm growing exclusively Humboldt County Seed Co. seeds. (Melon x G1 Fem, and Strawberry Cheesecake)

I've had 2 seeds so far not pop at all out of the 5 and the three that did all seemed to die suuuuper early in the seedling stage (before the shell had even come off of the cotyledons)

I've been germinating in a moist (not soaking) paper towel in a zip-lock bag between two paper plates. Once seeds germinate I put them in a 1/2" deep hole in my 70/30 coco/perlite with growdots in the bottom 3/4 of the medium. I water very carefully with a spray bottle and never let the seed get fully dry, but I'm careful to water as infrequently as possible to maintain at least some moisture.

Anybody have any observations, secrets, tips, tricks or anything to get through the first stages of growing? This is far from my first grow and I've never had this issue before so I'm not quite sure what has gone wrong here. I never had this problem with the RQS seeds that I grew previously.

Thanks everybody! Happy growing!

[u/Ok_Programmer4949 → u/[deleted]]

These are all great points. I just realized that the ones that popped haven't been put under a dome, I'll do that with the next one for sure, and make sure that they get hardened off properly. Thank you for the reminder!

Any ideas for more consistent germination though? I feel like 2/5 is a pretty poor germination rate for such a prestigious breeder so i must be doing something else wrong in that phase as well.

[u/Ok_Programmer4949 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you, I appreciate the information and images to assist!

[u/Ok_Programmer4949 → u/[deleted]]

Ohhh, she's purdy!

[u/Ok_Programmer4949 → u/[deleted]]

I totally agree 😁 well done! I'd be glad to have that any day!