Originally Posted by waveguide

before you order seeds, check around for germ reports on that strain and retailer. it may have nothing to do with your technique.

there are countless favourite germ method threads, and problematic germ threads eg. for older seeds. they may be worth reading. but don't blame yourself, sometimes it is the other guy. like delta 9 have lots of no germ reports, guess the age of the seeds, dunno, paid twice, never had a germ. used to be a professional germer for a nursery a quarter century ago. the nicole kush freebies from herbies recently, no germ. other seeds in package, fine.

and like the post about humidity covers and fungus above, there's also other factors to learn about (fungus gnats can wipe out all your seedlings).

Indeed I put a barrier of fine recycled glass on my top soil as a preventative.

[MickFoster]

It's a good thing that there were paper towels and shot glasses billions of years ago or we may not have plant life at all.

[MazeWL]

Originally Posted by aridbud

Refrain from Jiffy pellets...the peat substrate is too hot for germination/seedlings. Surest way to kill them.

What would you say to sprinkling a bit of peat moss on top of the towel/medium in the original stage to prevent pythium and other fungi? do you think it could harm the seedlings?

[ganjygav]

Originally Posted by corky1968

The method I use and have done this for years now with success.

1. Soak the seeds in a shot glass of water for 8-10 hours at room temp in a dark spot.
   Don't go longer than 10 hours.
   
2. Place the seeds in a moist folded cloth place inside a folded baggie. Don't seal the baggie closed.
   Just fold it and place it in a dark and warm location. Not too hot though.
   
3. A day or two later you should have some cracked seeds ready for planting.
   
4. Some seeds may take more time up to a week. But fresh seeds normally show
   signs of germination within a day or so.

Once the seedling is visible above ground apply lighting.

Good Luck.

This is the method I use and it works great I often get 100% germination .
This grow I've started I've got 8 plants for 8 seeds.

[zoic]

Very interesting thread!! I did not see my exact method here which I will share. I decided to do this because of some info posted here that I do not understand. So first, my method.

I use a 4" plastic cup (clear). I fold a paper towel in half, length wise, then I wrap it inside the cup. I fill the cup about half way with water and wait a minute for the paper towel to soak up the water. I use tweezers to strategically place the seeds between the paper towel and the side of the cup. This method ensures I do not have a dry paper towel if I forgot to add water.

Now the interesting part. I put the cup on the window sill to get some exposure to sunlight. This has worked fabulously and a few times I have had some sprouts with a second set of leaves already started before planting. I find it rare that the seed does not germinate, even the light coloured tiny size seeds seem to work fine.

So it begs to ask why so many people say it should be done in a dark place?

[brown_thumb]

I'm just an ignorant newb so take what I write with a grain of salt...

I've germinated at least 60 seeds and every one of them popped. I used the damp (not overly wet) paper towel method. I placed the towels/seeds between 2 disposable aluminum pie dishes to retain moisture and block light. I checked them every morning to ensure the towels remained damp. I used plain tap water with nothing added.

I state the seeds all germinated and they did. It wasn't until I planted them that I killed so many.