Weed Seeds Not Sprouting | Possible Causes and How to Prevent It

Why Won't My Cannabis Seeds Sprout?

If you are a cannabis seed grower, you will know how frustrating it can be when your seeds don't germinate. It can be a very simple problem to fix, but it can also have several different causes. Here are several common reasons for Weed seeds not sprouting:

Not Using New or Sterilized Soil and Pots

This is important if you use plastic pots to ensure your seeds germinate. The chemicals from the plastic itself can cause your seeds to rot before they even have a chance to germinate. Sterilizing your potting medium will eliminate unwanted pests or pathogens that would otherwise kill off your seedlings before they have even had a chance to sprout!

This is usually the first thing you should check if your seedlings aren't germinating.If you've purchased your seeds from an unreliable supplier or haven't stored them properly, they might not have much chance of proper growth. 

You can even get bad seeds from a reputable supplier if they're old or have been exposed to too much moisture. If you suspect the seed quality is the issue, contact the retailer/supplier to see if they'll replace them for you.

Handling Seeds with Bare Hands

Seeds can be contaminated with bacteria and fungi from your fingers. It can cause the seeds to rot before they germinate or kill the seedling after it sprouts. Always use gloves when handling seeds, especially if you have cuts or scratches on your hands that could allow bacteria to enter the seed coating.

Seeds Buried Too Shallow or Too Deep

To germinate seeds, ensure to plant them at the correct depth. If you plant them too shallow, they will not have enough space to grow roots and die. If you plant them too deeply, their stems and leaves may not be able to reach sunlight, and that'll compromise photosynthesis.

Dry Soil/Growing Matter

It's a common problem with cannabis seeds. If you don't have enough water available to germinate cannabis seeds, they won't be able to absorb what they need to decompress and start growing roots. So it would help if you made sure that there is plenty of moisture in the soil so that your seedlings can absorb it when they need it most.

Contaminated Water

You should only use distilled water for watering your plants because tap water contains chlorine and other chemicals that can harm your seedlings and derail the germination process. Tap water also contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can build up over time in your soil and potentially damage root systems if not removed before planting your seeds.

Pests and Diseases

Insects or other pests may be eating the seeds or their roots, or they may have been infected by a disease. If you notice pests and even weed diseases on your plants, you should consider consulting an expert for pesticides, and if you don't have many plants, you may throw away all the plants and start again.

Soil too Firm/Hard

If the soil is too hard for the seeds to break through, it will prevent them from germinating properly. Softer soils are better for germination than hard ones because they don't compact as easily during watering cycles and provide more oxygen at the soil's surface, where seedlings develop their roots.

Tips For Sprouting Stubborn Weed Seeds

Some weed seeds are very difficult to sprout, even with the best weed seed germination methods. However, there are ways to make stubborn weeds grow.

Soaking

Soaking is one of the easiest ways to soften the seed shell and germinate stubborn weed seeds. Soak your seeds in a glass of water for 24 hours before planting them in the soil. This helps remove some of the natural inhibitors that prevent germination, making them more likely to sprout when planted.

You may also consider adding the following boosters and fertilizers to increase the germination rate:

• Fulvic or Gibberellic acid
• Germination booster
• Hydrogen peroxide

Chilling

Try chilling them instead if you can't find a warm place to put your seeds. Place your weed seeds in a Ziploc bag or container and put them in your refrigerator for two days; this will help break down the internal inhibitors that prevent germination! Then follow step 1 above when you're ready to plant them outdoors (or indoors).

Poking Holes

Try using a toothpick or other pointed object to poke holes through the seed coatings. This will also help improve germination rates by allowing moisture to reach the embryo within the seed.

Use the Wet Paper Towel method

Try using a paper towel or newspaper underneath your germinating seeds - this will help keep them moist without getting their roots wet (which is usually not a good thing). Plus, it's just a nice way of keeping things organized!

Light Exposure

Some weed species require light to germinate. You'll require more grow light for indoor seed germination. For example, tomato and pepper seeds will not sprout if they are buried too deep in the soil or if they are kept in darkness. If you have a lot of weed seeds that do not germinate, try to expose them to light by placing them on top of the soil or using a transparent container such as an aquarium. Adequate light will help germinate the cannabis seeds properly and in less time.

Use Fine Sand Instead of Soil If at All Possible

This type of sand allows more oxygen into the mix than regular dirt does, which helps your seeds breathe easier while they wait for sprouting time! You can purchase fine sand at any garden center or hardware store in your area if you don't want to use regular sand found outside on the beach or in playgrounds.

Ensure Ideal Soil Temperature

The ideal soil temperature for your weed seeds is between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-27 degrees Celsius). However, if your home isn't warm enough or if it gets too hot in there (over 80 degrees Fahrenheit), you may want to place an aquarium heater on one side of your growing container so that the heater generates the heat and promotes faster germination and growth into a strong cannabis plant.