I'm really eager (and a bit impatient) to grow Cup & Saucer Vines from seed this year. I've started some in soil blocks and others in regular seed cells, soaking them overnight as recommended. I planted them about 1/4 inch deep and pointed some upward, just to be safe. Since these seeds need warmth (75-80°F) for germination, I kept a humidity dome over them without a heat mat. They stayed consistently damp, but ten days in, and nothing has sprouted! I dug around one, and the seed felt soggy, released a milky liquid, and looked all gooey and stringy—definitely not what I expected, and it had a pretty strong smell. Any thoughts on what might be going on? I still have some seeds in cells that are only four days in, but I'm worried they might be rotting. I might have overwatered them too. I'm quite unsure how they should look during germination, especially under the soil.
2 Answers
It's pretty common for seeds like these to get gooey when they’re not doing well. The stringy aspect is likely just the seed breaking down, especially with too much moisture. I'd suggest removing the humidity dome, as it can lead to excess water and rot. You might also want to consider giving a different batch of seeds a try if these don’t work out. Sometimes older seeds don’t germinate well.
Yeah, the goo can be a sign of issues—often from too much water. Those seeds can get picky about conditions. I’d say ditch the humidity dome for now and keep the soil just mildly moist. And if it helps, don't hesitate to try a new packet of seeds; it could help your chances!