Plant problems · Handling and timing · Seedlings · Usually mild

Seeds not sprouting

What you see

• No taproot after 5 to 7 days
• The seed is soft or moldy
• The sprout came up upside down or stuck in its shell

Why it happens

Seeds need warmth (22 to 25 C), moisture and air. Too wet, too cold or planted too deep are the usual causes; old seeds sprout less.

What to do

1. Germinate in a damp (not wet) paper towel in a warm, dark place
2. Plant the sprouted seed 1 cm deep, root down
3. If the shell is stuck on the leaves, mist it and wait; only remove it gently if it stays after a day

Next time

• Store seeds cool, dark and dry
• Use fresh seeds from a reliable breeder

Easy to confuse with

• Damping off: A seedling suddenly falls over

Not sure?

Take a photo of the seed or the sprout, close up and ask the Grow Doctor, or send it to the grow companion on Telegram.

More handling and timing problems

• A male plant
• Transplant shock
• Stunted autoflower
• Harvested too early or too late