Rubbish seed germination rates

[Lavenderblue]

I am hoping that the wealth of knowledge here can help me.

I have put some seeds in - sweetcorn & squash, tried to follow packet instructions and given them warmish, bright conditions hoping that they would pop up in no time. However, only a few have come up - in the case of squashes just 3 out of 18. Its really frustrating, the seed is fresh, they have had reasonable growing conditions and light. Have i just lost my touch?

[Waffler]

Have you given them plenty of time; certain seeds take longer to germinate than others. Could it be too warm for them? or maybe not warm enough. Also think about how much moisture they are receiving - if they've had too much it's possible they have rotted.
I'm no expert, but those are the things I'd be thinking about initially.

[ClayGarden]

Where are they and are they in a propagator?

[Lavenderblue]

They are on a windowsill in a propagator - but when the sun is out i have been taking the lid off to stop them getting too hot. I give them a bit of water when the compost looks dry - obviously with some little plants having several leaves they require more water than the seeds so I've been tailoring it as best i can. Window is east facing.

Frustrating thing is I stuck a seed tray full of cosmos on a north facing window, more or less forgot about them until last week and loads have come up. Perhaps neglecting them is the way forward!

[Cutecumber]

The problem is that the windowsill has a great variation in temperature.

What I advise is putting the ungerminated ones somewhere else - in the centre of the house - where the temperature is more constant and there is no direct sunlight. This will keep things much more even and you won't need to water them.

Once the seedlings have popped through, move them individually to the windowsill to get the light.

[mrs baggins]

seeds

I havent had much luck with germinating squash yet. Considering that the seeds are quite pricey as well. I had some in a pot and some on wet paper towel but nothing yet has happened and its been 3 weeks. Think I may try some more

[zazen999]

I find the bathroom better for squash - next to the airing cupboard. In fact, I sowed 6 on the 8th and by the 14th when we got back from our weekend away 5 had germinated; they are now only 9 days old and about 6 inches high. EEk indeed; I can't put them out for another month yet; so they'll have to go somewhere else for the time being.

I also put a load on kitchen paper the same day and they did nothing; I transferred to the airing cupboard last night and already one has started to root; so get them somewhere warm but not too hot.