#seed notes

1.  Put seeds into 6.0 pH water for 14-16 hours.  Use the 6.0 pH water throughout these instructions.
1. As a NOTE: I always use distilled or rain water.
2. Agitate the water until they sink to the bottom.
1. Depending on luck/quality - this can take hours, non-stop.
2. I personally put the seeds in the bottom of a jar, then fill that jar until it is virtually overflowing; then screw the lid on... this creates a tiny air bubble, it helps both protect the seed from damage while shaking/turning (if you want to help sink them faster)... and, regardless, they are under water the entire time - rather than floating half out.
3. Store in a dark area.
2. Place seeds onto a plate of paper towels.
1. Use more towels under the seeds than above
1. I use six sheets below, and two on top
2. The seed still needs to be able to breathe.
3. They should be two inches from other seeds on the plate.
4. They should be laid "flat" and not on their edge.
1. That is to say, the edge is what splits open when the tap root sprouts.
5. Make sure they stay moist, but they should NOT sit in standing water.
2. The seeds/plate need to stay in a dark room with air flow.
3. The seeds need to stay at a temperature around 75 degrees.
1. Seeds, and further plants, will slow their growth or stop all together at the wrong temperatures.
4. Never place inside of a plastic bag, as this can cause the seed to mold and rot.
5. Seeds should sprout a tap root within a week; usually within a day or two.  If they have not sprouted a root within a week or so, odds are not good that it ever will.
3. Once you see a tap root that is at least a quarter inch long...
1. Carefully place the seed, root down, into a small cup of dirt designed for germinating seeds.
1. I use two inch cups; filled to a marker around a quarter inch below the top.
2. The depth should be about half an inch.
3. The soil needs to be moist enough that it pulls the shell/husk off of the plant as it grows.
1. I moisten the soil before I put it into the container; or I let the water be absorbed from the bottom of the container... the point is: I do not pour the water in.
2. Unless the dirt is drying out on its own somehow, there is very little need to water the soil again; but, keep an eye on it.
4. My process:
1. Place slightly moistened dirt into a 2 inch pot.
2. Use a sharpened pencil (shape) to poke a hole into the dirt.
3. Use a pair of tweezers to hold the seed at the proper depth.
1. Carefully and lightly press the dirt around the edges of the container, this will lock the seed in place.
2. Let off the pressure on the tweezers and pull them away from the seed (out of the dirt).
4. Put loose dirt over the site of the hole.
5. Place into the proper lighting.
5. Do NOT compact the soil on top of the seed; a simple covering is fine.
6. Plants can take anywhere from a day to a week or more to sprout; although, typically it happens within days.  After five days or so, the odds really drop off for getting a viable plant.
4. As new plants are largely focused on creating roots at first...
1. Follow the instructions that came with your light for lighting for seedlings.
1. Typically this is a very low level of light.
2. Typically the light will be on for 18-24 hours a day; depending on preference.
3. When the plant breaks the surface of the soil it is very important to make sure the seed husk has come off...
1. If you see the husk is still around the plant you must act quickly to save your plant... 
1. I typically, very utterly carefully, use tweezers to remove the husk.
2. Your plant is in grave danger if the husk is not removed somehow.
5. Troubleshooting: hopefully you will never need this information.
1. Pests: If your seedlings are sprouting; but then being mysteriously damaged or disappearing altogether... try these options.
1. Lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, lemon, and tea tree oil; mixing the scented oils into clean spray bottle with water.
1. If none of these smells solves the problem, then you can try to add neem oil to your spray bottle.  A warning, neem oil is very toxic and it is important to read how to handle it, and manage it.
2. Put seedlings on a table, not on the ground.
3. You can use hydrogen peroxide to clean the roots of your plants safely, and without any risk to your plant.  If you think something is chewing up the roots; then this might be something that helps - I've never done it myself though, but its a known fix.
4. This is why growing tents can be sealed up; its expensive - but it keeps your plants nice and safe from the environment, if you can afford it.