by Jorge Cervantes
Potential Problems
Too much or too little light coupled with overwatering or underwatering are the main reasons for poor seedling growth. This sickly freak trifoliate seedling is the result of dodgy genetics as well.
Overwatering and underwatering are the biggest obstacles most growers face when germinating seeds and growing seedlings. Keep the soil uniformly moist, not waterlogged. Do not let the growing medium’s surface dry for long. Keep it evenly moist. Setting root cubes or planting flats on a grate allows good drainage. A shallow flat or planter with a heat pad underneath may require daily watering, while a deep, one-gallon pot will need watering every three days or more. A properly watered flat of rockwool cubes needs water every three t five days when sprouting seeds. When the surface is dry (0.25-inch deep) it is time to water. Remember, there are few roots to absorb the water early in life, and they are very delicate.
Seeds do not need any extra hormones to germinate. household water contains enough dissolved solids (food) to nourish seeds through their first few weeks of life. Supplemental nutrients often disrupt internal chemistry.