The hormones and enzymes stored in the seed between the embryo and embryo case dry up in old seed and why they dont germinate or go past throwing a small root. Some seed will even split and look like they are about to germ but re close and die.
Cleaning the old seed in a wash i think 3% peroxide ( you need to check that ) is important to remove and contaminants.
Then you need to replace the lost hormones and enzymes.
The coconut water mix works well to increase old seed germination but even then when the seed are to old it to will fail.
Best chance to get them up is using something like
GA3 Gibberellic Acid.
Nice write up! When u write coconut milk do u mean the one in a can or coconut water in bottle? By that I mean the ones you can enjoy as a refreshment ?From an old IC member. Fresh EWC has been my ticket to success with old seeds. The old ones may not start spouting until 30d later, but they do it!
Old seed germination technique
Preparation
A. Bleach Solution: 1tbs bleach + 1gallon tap H2O
B. Coconut Solution: 1/4th tsp H2O2 + 2 shots coconut milk + ½ drop of Rapidstart
C. EWC in starter pots, FRESH!! Must not contain residual organic matter or mold will grow.
Process
1. Soak seeds in bleach solution 20min
2. Gloves for all subsequent handling steps
3. Rinse with tapwater in strainer
4. Soak in coconut solution 12hr
5. Crack seeds at each end, not middle
6. Soak additional 12hr to 24hr (preferred)
7. Sow at ¼” - ½” beneath substrate (fresh EWC). Keep EWC loose to promote oxygen exchange.
8. Cover with dome, keep @80 – 85deg F for up to 30 days. Do not let EWC dry out. Mist spray EWC, dome, and walls to maintain RH of 85 – 99%.
Peace
F2F
Ah yeah, need to fix that…coconut WATER. Just edited that post. Thanks 420!Nice write up! When u write coconut milk do u mean the one in a can or coconut water in bottle? By that I mean the ones you can enjoy as a refreshment ?
Cheers
I saw this video few days ago its an experiment using two different strengths of GA3 and the results thought you mite find it helpful.
I am in day 7 of using a GA3 seed germination pad i ordered for some old seed now my self.
Hi FranJanLots of coconut water have a "shit-ton" of sodium. Not all but I would avoid the ones that do. Unless sodium is what's good for old seeds.
And IDK why you folks love Hydrogen Peroxide. Very reactive and doesn't discriminate between good or bad when it comes to organics. Great in anaerobic conditions. And nowadays isn't the main use of hydrogen-peroxide to bleach paper? I don't think bleach or H2O2 are what is best for plant material. But that's just me.
Best of luck @Zanddar. I know people who haven't smoked in 25+ years who would line up for a week to buy huge quantities of real deal 80's era Chocolate Thai. Seriously Z, if some seeds pop PM me when you want to retire!