Stupid courgette seeds!

This is my third year of growing veg etc and I decided to try some different varieties of old favourites - such as ball courgettes. I've never had any problems with courgettes before, always nice and obliging and quick to grow but of the 12 seeds I planted (on edge, like the packet suggested), 3 have germinated fine; 4 haven't germinated at all, 4 have come up rotten and discouloured and the remainder are growing upside down! I didn't think this was possible but the white roots are heading skyward and the green leaves downward. I've corrected them and they are doing ok - but has anyone else had this happen?

 

I've had similar things happen with marrow seed.
Not sure what causes it, I do know that sometimes deeper planting might help or a more stable germination temp perhaps.

Or maybe the seeds are duff

 

It happend to me as well and I never had problem before. A few days ago I carefully sowed the second batch in very shallow seed tray and keep conpost quite dry, just checked them, they all start to come up ok.

 

You'd think Mother Nature would print onto the seed..."This way up"...:lollol::lollol:

Steve...

 

'This way up' indeed! I'll look forward to my upside down courgettes! Thanks for your advice, might try again with a new pack, I do love courgettes!