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is that a seed just chilling on top of a table or something? Really should not bury / unbury a seed. Need to avoid those compulsions. stores store soil outside or it is exposed during transportation. Bringing home larva of some pest from a store is not unusual. Try a different store or brand. If they keep the stock inside, that's a good sign. soulds like you should review proper watering habits too and stick to an appropriately sized pot for the size of the plant. Even with autoflowers. If you cause 'shock' from potting up, you should look for a new hobby. That's not mean, because you would have to purposely squeeze and destroy the rootball while you pot up to cause a problem and that's easily avoidable.... simply don't destroy the rootball and try to be bit gentle, lol. 2 weeks is a long time. Either there's something less than ideal in your process - like it wasn't moist the entire time - or it is an inviable seed. Darkness and moisture is key. Much longer than 14 days and it will start to rot at some point.

Hey Growmie, that sounds really frustrating – thanks for sharing! The fact that you flushed out a ton of larvae while watering is definitely a warning sign. The cause could be fungus gnats, but there are other possible pests or issues, especially with cheap, non-sterilized soil: 🔍 Possible causes: Fungus gnat larvae ➤ Very common in cheap potting soil. They eat roots and seedlings, especially dangerous in the early phase. Soil midge larvae or other soil pests ➤ Look similar, also thrive in moist soil, and damage roots. Worm-like compost organisms (e.g., Enchytrae) ➤ Partly harmless, but in masses, they indicate overly wet or unsuitable soil. Fungal infestation/waterlogging ➤ Can prevent germination – cheap soil often contains wood debris that can mold or rot when moist. 🛠️ What you can do now: Check the seeds: If nothing has happened in 2 weeks, unfortunately, the chance is low that anything will happen. You can carefully dig it up and see if it's still alive or mushy/chewed up. Replace the soil: For your next attempt, use pre-steamed seedling soil or sterilize the soil in the oven (80–90 °C, 30–45 min). Pre-germinate: In damp paper towels or directly in Jiffy – this way, you know if the seed is even viable. Adjust watering behavior: Less is more – moist soil is enough, waterlogging only harms. Beneficials if pest suspicion arises: SF nematodes, neem, or yellow sticky traps against possible insect larvae. 💡 General tip for Automatics: The start has to be right – if they germinate poorly or have root damage, the plant stays small and the yield is low. Better to start with ideal conditions than to have to rescue later. Don't get discouraged – every grow teaches something! 🌱💪 Peace & happy growing! ✌️