Germinating Old Seeds

Did a search already, but most threads covered germinating techniques, and germination problems on new seeds.

This one is specifically about germinating old seeds.

Mine are about 3 YEARS OLD. Never had trouble germinating them when they were new, but when I tried to do it again recently (reviving my grow), it wouldn't.

Maybe they are dead or maybe just dormant. I want to try these first. Ordering is a last resort because I only have a 50% delivery success rate with orders.

Anyone done this before?

I want to be sure before starting coz I only have 10 seeds to work with.

How were they stored? Seems like 2 years is what I've heard for shelf life unless refrigerated

Here are some methods that I've read on. A lot of them are for "other" seeds though, like tomatoes, etc.

1. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
Using Hydrogen peroxide to promote seed growth by dissolving the outer coat of the seed (same effect as scruffing?). I've read that some soak them in 3% (or "10 Volumes" as some label would indicate) solution for 10-30 mins. Apparently, plants can easily handle up to 5% solution.


2. FERTILIZER
Soak or paper towel method with a dilute fertilizer solution such as miracle grow 15-30-15. The intent is to pump some nitrogen into the seed so it has an incentive to grow. Dilute means 1/4 teaspoon in 1 gallon of water.

I don't know if they are the same but some suggest using a "nitrate solution" because the Nitrogen stimulates germination.


3. GIBERELLIC ACID-3
Supposedly, presoaking seeds in GA-3 will often cause rapid germination of many highly dormant seeds that would otherwise require cold, aging, light or other prolonged treatments.

I don't know where to get this though.



4. ACID?
Some have soaked seeds in various tea mixtures, which have TANNIC ACID. One example was a plain lipton tea at about 1/10th normal strength.


I wonder though, can I use my PH down?
Also, I know that germinating should be done with a PH balanced water. Maybe it's different for dormant seeds?


5. SEED SCRUFFING
There are a lot of threads about this- using sandpaper to thin the outer layer of the seed so that the water can penetrate.



There are so many other methods, but these are the ones that are pretty simple to do. Some have mentioned putting in the refrigirator, some put seeds in boiling water for the seconds, microwave etc.

dankshizzle said:

How were they stored? Seems like 2 years is what I've heard for shelf life unless refrigerated

Click to expand...

Oh man, no thought was put into the storing. They're only stored in a ziplock back.

I dont know how you normally germ. With older seeds I always just give them a 24 hour soak in luke warm ph'd water. If there is still moisture inside the seed the warm water should be able to pass through the kernal. Its a gamble though. seed improperly stored dry out quick like...

I have some seeds that came out of a compressed sac I was smoking. Most of the seeds are bright yellow with atleast one small crack somewhere in it, but i squezzed them slightly and they didn't smash. Im just using basic paper towel method to germinate. Nothing yet, but it looks like I can barely see the taproot now so, Im not sure if they're still capable of anything, but im sure i'll find out. I just moved to a house with a friend for once and not an apt. Lots of garden room with fenced in yard. This is my first grow, if i can even get them to germ.. lol, and it was actually a decent sac just compressed alot. Seeds arn't old either. I know it takes 3-10 days and im about to be on four, so I just wanted some opinion's. I have to quit smoking for a while lol and get a job, so no other seeds or money.... The seeds turned alot darker color though, im guessing that's from the water....

I have 3 different strains that I've had for about 3 years now (all bag seed from a collective in so cal). about 6 months ago I planted 6 of the purple bubba kush and they all sprouted. I haven't had a single problem getting them to germ. I got a little herb kit from home depot (the kind that has a little plastic dome and 6 little pots and seeds). Filled the little pots up with Miracle Grow Seed Starter Soil, put the seeds about 1/4 inch in and watered. With in 2 days they had all germed.

If you have a willow tree around you, try making some willow water and watering your fresh potted seed with it. I got seeds to sprout with in less than a day with that stuff, it's amazing.

outofbodyspecial said:

Did a search already, but most threads covered germinating techniques, and germination problems on new seeds.

This one is specifically about germinating old seeds.

Mine are about 3 YEARS OLD. Never had trouble germinating them when they were new, but when I tried to do it again recently (reviving my grow), it wouldn't.

Maybe they are dead or maybe just dormant. I want to try these first. Ordering is a last resort because

I only have a 50% delivery success

Click to expand...

rate with orders.

Anyone done this before?

I want to be sure before starting coz I only have 10 seeds to work with.

Click to expand...

thats still better than 0% with the out of date ones.

i have used 100% peroxide wit no problems- mainly air and water

i get phisical start scruffing at 7 days

i feel like nothing to lose at that point -have increased percentages at this point

1Luv

I guess there are dormant seeds, and there are dead seeds.

All my old seeds (10) failed to germ with different methods- I tried hydrogen peroxide, rooting hormone, dilute ferts.

Had 100% success rate with my old grow. I'll just order new seeds.