Tiny Worms Found Killing Seeds

[kingkola1]

This is my 6th indoor growing season. Have been using 1/3 Fox Farm, 1/3 coco, 1/3 perlite for the soil. My seeds were started by soaking in ph balanced Hydrozime in RO water (5ml/quart) until the seeds pop exposing the start of a tap root. Then the seeds are planted in the soil 1/4" deep. This has been working well in my past grows except, this time, after 14 days I still see no green plants growing out of the dirt; except 1 out of 8 OG Kush seeds did start out of the dirt after 3 days (which is the norm for this grow). I have been using Emerald Harvest Nutes at 50%.

Problem: Today I poked around in the soil and found black seeds with no signs of growth, and found one seed with little tiny worms inside one seed and another worm escaping back down into the dirt. The worms were white mini centipede looking things about the size of the start of a tap root; maybe 1/16" to 1/8" long, very skinny and can stand on their tail and wiggle around. Very gross. Anyone have an idea of what these long skinny worms are and how they got into my fresh grow soil? Sorry, the worms are too tiny for photos.

The seeds were from Green Thumb in Canada who I have heard good reviews from, however these seeds were 1 year old.

[SoOrbudgal]

Well i do it different with germination than you. But them worms i think came in the soil. I germinate in paper towel wait for a small white tail from the seed then goes into solo cup. Sorry don't think i'm helpful. I'm an old dirt farmer just germ my seeds the same way for 30+ years.

[ChadWestport]

Yes, I was talking about these a few days ago. A grower had them and a really cool microscope. We had the debate of whether they are from the soil or from the seed. We kind of came to a conclusion that they somehow hitched a ride on the seed, whether they were inside eating the guts or they were simply eggs and then being put into soil triggered them. No identification yet, nematode was the initial reaction, but they do appear a little large for that, jury is still out. In the end, we all agreed that we've mainly seen it when we direct sow into the soil, haven't had the issue when popping in a paper towel.

skip to 3:53.00 in the video for pictures and conversation on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91IRz85d3e8

[kingkola1]

Chad, that is what I have exactly! It does appear to be only in or around the seed and not throughout the soil. So gross. Thanks for the link, very insightful. Based on what they said in the link, and on what I saw, it looks like the bugs came with the seeds. They shipped 14 seed and I only had one grow out of the ground - expensive seeds too. I have always had great success germinating seeds. Even on my first grow I got 100% of my seeds to grow. I may have to revert back to my original supplier next time.

[ChadWestport]

That is crazy. I've definitely had them myself and had thought it might be a soil thing, but they were only ever grouped on or around the seed. I was stoked to hear these people taking about it and so I chimed in and now that you have seen it as well, it doesn't feel like such an anomaly. Not a common subject but I've definitely lost seeds to these things. I'd love to find more info on them.

[kingkola1]

I got my OG Kush seeds from Dr. Green Thumb in Canada. I heard a lot of good things about these guys. I think I will go somewhere else next time. Dr. Green Thumb was pretty pricey too but supposedly had great genetics and high yielding seeds so I paid up. I ended up with 1 out of 14 seeds able to grow something green; the rest were dead with bugs. Not too happy. Worst yields ever. Even during my first grow I ended up with 100% yield with seeds from Seedsman.com. Now I have one plant to grow since I can't get seeds in hand before this plant goes to flower.

[ChadWestport]

kingkola1 Dang, 1 out of 14 is frustrating. Are you able to contact them about a refund or exchange or has it been too long?