Herbies any good?

Talk to their customer service. If the packaging has a date on it, that might help, too. paper towel is a useless added step that only adds risk of pathogens when handling a recenlty germinated and very delicate seed. Shocking them at that stage can kill it. Also, expsoing the tap root to light only cunfuses the plant. simply water a seedling pot, put it on the heat mat with thermostat until it is 70-80F, press a 1/2" hole in center, drop seed in, gently cover and tamp down. 70-80% of viable seeds sprout, not just germination, within 2-5 days and then maybe a few stragglers after that. Age of seed will be the cause of most failed sprouts. Heat mat without a thermostat control is a total crapshoot. Seeds in first year start out around 90% viability or more, but lose viability over time. Keep the process simple.

Hi Jose, I feel for you, I really do, I've been there, and I've wiped out many seeds using the paper towel method on a heat mat, but this is how I know its a terrible way to attempt germination from experience, once I learned a little more I was much better able to understand why it was not the best method to use. One of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to germinate is consistency in the environment, it's vital that the seed has enough time in prime "spring-like" conditions to germinate. Using the paper towel method it's easy to oversaturate in water causing a blockage of essential oxygen getting to the seed. Also, the heat generated from the mat will continually dry the paper towel requiring constant monitor and reapplication of water to keep paper towel damp but not soaked, this can easily dry out rapidly, and it becomes time-consuming to maintain moisture, oxygen, and temperature over a multi-day period, even a slight "dry-out" fluctuation in the environment during the critical stage of germination and its death, or the shell re-hardens due to drought, suffocation lack of oxygen. I'm sure Herbies have their problems like all seed banks once in a while, most seedbanks have their own little recommended method for germination when you buy seeds, did they recommend paper towels? If so then I'd steer clear of Herbies myself, if not I wouldn't blame Herbies, I'd look to improve my own knowledge and understanding of the germination process and the optimal environmental factors which would greatly increase my germination success % if held consistently over a period of a couple days. good luck.

Over priced and unreliable in my experience. Try "Pev Grow"............they are well priced, reliable and have fantastic customer service. Huge catalogue of breeders and thousands of seeds to choose from.

Hey there honestly I have never used herbies but most seed sources should germ at a higher rate than you had. I think it's possible usser err. I suggest not useing the heat mat they get the seeds to hot. Put the seeds in a Tupperware with paper towels on top and below the seeds. 1st 24hrs have standing water on the paper towels after 24hrs pormurs water out rill paper towels are wet but no standing water. Do not lift up the paper towel and check seeds untill after 3 whole days past Make sure to keep the room temp between 74 and 78 put a thermostat on top of the Tupperware I like to wrap the closed Tupperware in a blanket aswell to block light and help keep warm After 3 whole days when you check seeds What your looking for is the seeds to have 1cm long tap root. Don't let them get super long like and inch also don't transplant the seed when it's smaller than 1cm aswell If tap roots not 1cm after 3 whole days leave in closed Tupperware the same way it was for another day then check again they should be good to transfer by then If you want seeds that have really good germ rates and resistance you should try these 2 sites. Stick with old school strains if your just learning to grow. Things like white widow and critical and green crack names you heard long long time ago they will have the best resistance and be sturdy plants. When you try and grow newer exotic anything newer most likely Will be a little finicky Weedseedsexpress.com royalqueenseeds.com

I dont know. At certain time they sponsored a bit of growers here, i saw some great and some meh results ... Recently they offered to try out them for second time and i agreed this time. 5 strains ... Hope your case is a fluck. I never had house with such bad sprout rate. Maybe batch was compromised during travel to you ? Customs or long travel and temp fluctuations can damage parcel... Some heat matrass or excessive manipulation with seed can bring more damage and worse results than simple seed straight to soil .