Condition of plants & Possible reasons and some solutions:

Poor germination, (no seedling emergence) 

• Seeds planted too deep
  
• Potting mix compacted, or too wet when dropped into planting container 
  
• Quad not watered carefully from the top for the first three days
  
• Seeds washed out 
  
• Room temperature below 60°F (15.5°C) 
  
• Fertilizer pellets were planted instead of seeds 
  
• If seedlings do not appear by Day 4, start over. 

Plants growing slowly 

• Lower temperature in school than normal on weekends and holidays 
  
• Less than 6 cool-white fluorescent bulbs in light bank
  
• Plants growing at lower temperature due to location near window in winter 

Plants look spindly, unhealthy 

• Check for aphids or other pests 
  
• Lights too far away from plants - should be 5-10 cm from growing tip 
  
• Fertilizer not added to each cell (add fertilizer) 
  
• Too much fertilizer added to each cell 

Plants die 

• Reservoirs dried up 
  
• Wicks not placed correctly in growing container 
  
• Water mat not in water, may be stuck to bottom of platform 

See Understanding the Environment for additional information on the best environment for growing Fast Plants.