What is the best way to grow a seed into a seedling without it dying?

[Growth]

Me and my brother are growing plants. This is our 3rd year. Every year a few seeds will die and we will replace them until we have all the ones we want alive.

We've done the red cup, those little peat moss pellets that you soak in water and put the seed in, we've soaked them in a bottle cap until the taproot came out, we've put them in a wet paper towel until the taproot came out.

We've tried every way to grow a seed, but what is the best way to keep a seed alive when planting it into soil? Sometimes ours will just never grow or will grow and wither away. It's not the soil or conditions because we have the same exact conditions for all of them and it's always the minority of the seeds that struggle.

It hurts each time seeing a seed die as well because they're $20+ each...

 

[ArtfulCodger]

Duds and slow growers are a common occurrence, regardless of germination style. I'll usually plant twice as many seeds as the number of plants I want to flower.

 

[Zill]

Growth,

What percent loss do you experience? Is there one stage or another particularly prone to fail?

I germinate in a wetted napkin loosely covered in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out. Those seedlings are delicate, sort of, until they get into soil. Like Art suggests, sow two if want one. That is expensive though, $20/seed.

Zill.

 

[DR.PNW]

I suggest using Eazy Plugs, their water content is easily regulated due to their make-up, and the seeds can be planted directly into them.
Jiffy pucks are fine too but they are inconsistent.
Make sure to keep on top of your Temp/Hum levels.
Red cups are great if sufficient drainage is added, and only as the first potting for well rooted seedlings.
Seed soaks are great options, primarily the use of chitosan.

 

[Zill]

Plugs are great. Handful for about $2.00. Once I get a root initial and a few hairs I’ll pop the seedling into those plugs.

I forgot to mention that.

 

[Zill]

Dr.,

There’s that word again, chitosan. What are you using it for?

 

[Grower1974]

Seed starter mix......Most nutrient enriched soil is too hot for seed/seedlings.