I suspect that you aren't keeping the pellets moist enough. They should be misted with warmish water several times a day and you will soon see the pellet begin to break up. At that point, misting won't be so critical.

The pellet material is permeable and water will be absorbed into it, causing it to swell and crumble.

I've also covered my flats after sowing so that the jungle like humidity was enough to cause them to break down.

My pelleted lisianthus germinated with some of the coating still on the seeds. They look like tiny yellow balls rising up from the soil. Once the leaves start unfurling the treated seed coat drops off.
Karyn

Karyn,
What conditions did you use to germinate your lisianthus? Obviously you didn't cover with soil...but what type of light, temperature? How long did they take?

Elizabeth -

Did your begonias ever germinate? I've got some pelleted begonias that have gone for 2 weeks without germinating, so I was wondering what ever happened with yours.

Deanna

Hello, I know this is an old thread, but I'm bringing this up as I have the same issue with coated / pelleted seeds not dissolving.

They are the BIG begonias from Stokes. I've had them planted in cell packs for three days now, and the coating is clearly still visible. I've now been using a dropper to drop water directly on the coating, as well as keeping the cell packs in a zip lock bag.

Has anyone else had this happen & what were your results? I planted pelleted petunias and other coated seeds last year and they dissolved immediately.

I too hear begonias need light to germinate...