This is my second time trying to germinate seeds! The first time I planted 18 seeds and two grew tails. The ones with tails one did nothing once planted and the second one is still alive but has not grown past 2 inches. I received new seeds from Olgm and placed them in cup of warm water for 72 hours some cracked open but most did not. I was afraid to waterlog them so I planted them in plugs…. So far nothing!!! 2 Blue dream 2 GG and 2 MK Ultra. 1 Zkittlez stopped growing at 2 inches. Please HELP I thought this was supposed to be easy?? I’m using DWC room temp 77 water temp 68 added hydroguard but no nutes yet . Ph has flipped back and forth from 6.7-5.5 TDS 250
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Howdy G8keeper
Welcome to forum.
When you soak seeds is temperature consistently between 20-25C 68-77f? 
I usually soak for 24 hours then put in tissues until tails have developed sufficiently.
Temperature needs to be consistent, between 20-25C. 68-77f
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If anything the temperature may have been too hot. I did not use a heating pad because it is usually around 80-84 degrees in my house. The seeds cracked up revealing white matter but not too many long tails. I thought 72 hours of soaking was the max so I planted them immediately. I followed the germ guide at ILGM, twice to no avail! After 72 hours I placed them in plugs. I’m using DWC and the water environment has been optimal. Of note is that I do have well water the Ph is around 6.7 so I have lowered it the PPM is 250 without nutes . I have them under T5 fluorescents. Just not seeing any growth at all! I hate to keep asking for refunded seeds.
Try just putting one in a solo cup of moistened soil with a baggie over the top. Then set in a warm place. Works for me every time. Takes about 4 or 5 days.
Thank you! I will try that! Im so discouraged!
I had terrible luck with soaking in water, paper towel, etc.
Getting a few successful grows under your belt will do much to boost your confidence. I suggest trying a simpler method than your dwc to get started. It’s true that the harvest can be better using a hydroponic method, but you can get satisfaction from other methods as well.
You haven’t mastered the germination stage yet so I suggest trying a couple different methods of germination. I know what works for me will be different that what works for others, but many of us on the forum get close to 100% germination rates.
Below is what works for me and I hope you’ll give it a try with a seed or two, but you should look at the journals of other successful growers and imitate their methods as well. You will find a method that works well for you.
I use small cups that get maybe 1/2 inch of RO (reverse osmosis) water. Does it have to be RO or distilled water? Probably not, but I use it for growing and have it on hand. I know it works for me. To the water I add a little hydrogen peroxide, maybe 10-20% of the total volume. I put the cups on a seedling heating mat with temperature set to around 75-80 degrees. Most seeds split open within 24-48 hours. If they fail to split open I’ll pour the water through a paper towel folded in half to catch the seed(s), then I fold the paper towel over the seeds, gently squeeze out some of the excess water, and place the paper towel in a plastic food container, then back on the seedling heat mat. If it doesn’t split after another 48 hours it probably won’t ever germinate.
To get a successful grow under your belt try growing in soil. You just need a cup of cannabis friendly soil, about 60ml of water, a humidity cover, and patience. Place the germinated seed in an hole about 3/8 deep, cover over and wait. There is enough moisture and humidity that you shouldn’t need to water it again until it is up and well established, at which time you take the dome off. When the leaves get big enough that they extend past the rim of the cup/pot, it is ready for transplant to its final home. For me, that is soil if growing outside or experimenting, but most the time I grow in a coco/perlite mix using AutoPots (which is an extremely easy form of hydroponics).
My first attempt was to soak them in water for 12 hours then placed them on wet paper towel kept moist and dark, to no avail. My second attempt (currently) I soaked for 72 hours according to ILGM grow guide. Then placed in peat moss starter cubes. Nothing!!! My first attempt resulted in one lone seedling that hasn’t grown in weeks it’s 2 inches in length.
When I put them in the bubbler I only add hydroguard to the water. My Ph is a little high so I lowered it before putting the plugs in. I have air running and the cubes are moist kept under a dome.
At this point I’m guessing there must be something wrong with the water? Or it is way too hot in my house?
I grew hydropnically using the ebb and flow system, years ago, and was successful . But this time I just can’t seem to get the seeds to germinate or even establish a tap root.
I’m going to try a new batch following your recommendations and will see how that goes. Ugh I’ve already wasted a month trying to get them to germ.
Thanks a Bunch
Laurie
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I am in the same place as you… Sometimes seeds don’t grow.
After years, I was at a 100% germination rate until this grow… Just takes patience… And sometimes a lot of seeds.
Are these photos or autos? You said you had one sprout but hasnt grown but an inch or two. If the other methods above dont work out, have you thought about growing organically in soil?
It’s a photo, it was placed in water to soak on 3/18. As of today it’s still 2 inches tall! Funny thing is that it appears to be a healthy seedling otherwise.
You’re not going waterlog them unless you soak them a long time @G8keeper. I soak in 50ml of well water with 1ml store bought 3% hydrogen peroxide. I leave the seeds in the dark in a warm place for 24 hours then I push the seeds down until they sink. I come back after another 24 hours and they usually have a nice taproot showing. A seed sitting in hydrogen peroxide and water that doesn’t crack by 48 hours is usually not viable from my experience.
It’s not easy @G8keeper but it’s not hard once you find a method that works for you.
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I am low on patience LOL. I smoke to relax and to sleep and can no longer afford my ounce a week habit. So I decided to give growing a try. I went with hydroponics because I thought lugging all of that dirt around must be difficult? I was also successful with the Ebb and Flow method years ago. This RDWC is new to me and clearly is not a good way to start seedlings?
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@G8keeper I completely understand!
I started growing again after someone sold me cbd bud or very very immature buds.
Either way… Bought seeds… I veg for 8 weeks to maximize my yield in my 4x4… Then another 8-10 weeks… That’s like 4+ months…
The first grow is the hardest.