I posted this in Mate Dave's thread but decided to make a thread so I could find it again and modify the thread as I learn. This is how I attempt to germinate old improperly stored or just hard to crack seeds. In plain English because I'm a simple farmer and speak from only my experiences, which most came from just growing all plants for years and the valuable knowledge I have gained from this wonderful site. Thanks Gypsy!
Disclaimer. For my science education, I went to the University of In the Field, where I feel I was out standing, but that's just me! So take this as you will! If it helps cool, if not I can re read it and keep myself honest.
Of course it's so easy with newer seeds. Just plant in soil, add water, warm, and light. Done. Who can't do that?
I think more the point here is getting old seed to not just crack a white tail, but successfully turn into a plant.
I have been working hard on trying to germinate some old cannabis seeds and some old vegetable seeds, mainly tomato.
My recent failures lead me to believe non viable seed is just that, she ain't gonna go. But I wanted to know that I did everything I could without a lab or chemicals. I always save some of those "dead" seeds, the future...who knows?
First read Chimera's method of starting seed. I can't find the link, sorry. He is the smartest dude I "know thru the intrawebs".
Here are some things I have tried.
First thing I to do is to get the seeds in the fridge for no less than 48 hours. I store my seeds in the fridge, those always pop so not the point of this. It's the seeds someone found in a garage and say 1972 on them that we want to work on.
So into the fridge they go. I like a week, to make sure they are fully chilled, in the dark. This is in my seed fridge which doesn't get opened often. If in regular fridge, put in light proof container.
From there I wash the seeds. Chimera's seed starting method employs multiple washes. This I wasn't doing. I was washing once. I feel as many washes as I can stand doing is worth it. The better washed seed seems to actually keep growing far better than the lightly washed seeds that sometimes germinate a white tail and then rot. Makes sense right. So don't be lazy and skip washing, it really makes a difference.
I use a small strainer. Obviously the mesh is fine enough so there is no way the seed can get through under pressure. Sounds dumb but it happens. Double screened strainer I found at Dollar store. I wouldn't be going through all this for seeds that weren't rare or valuable to preservation.
I blast them with the sink sprayer and swirl them around as long as I can take it. 3-5 min is as far as I can usually get haha.
Then a soak in bleach water or some people use h2o2. I don't like h2o2 because they used to call me Mr. Whitefinger. Y'all know what I mean.
A rocks glass of tap water and 5 ml bleach. Soak for an hour.
Back to the strainer for another wash.
Now I pat them dry in a clean paper towel. With gloves on and a very clean pair of needle nose pliers I ever so slightly crack the seed as little as possible. It take a few to get the hang of it. Someone makes a tool for this, looked bitchin'.
Once cracked back to another wash, stainer, tap water through sprayer.
Now directly into a rocks glass with tap water and a drop or two Botarnicare pbp grow. I don't like Super thrive, Vit B, etc because there is too much concentrated nitrogen. A few drops of base nutrient is fine.
Soak overnight or 12 hours.
From here I wash again and with gloves I sow 1 each into a rockwool cube (previously charged), seed starter mix, and straight earthworm castings or high quality compost. These are in a flat, on heat mat, under dome.
You need the heat mat.
Now we wait. I feel after all of this if they go they go. If not I did what I could. I've tried some Ga3 and such but results weren't any different.
Results are usually one of the three medias will work. The hardest oldest deadest stubborn seeds I have had success with have come from the earthworm castings sowed seed, on the heat mat. Temp 85-88.
A Member on ICMAG was sowing in earthworm castings, credit goes to them for that solid gold tip, I wish I could remember who you are.
I believe the living organisms in the castings combined with the emergence from the cold, super decontaminated, previously cracked, nutrient hydrated seed, clean water, heat, and light is the fairest shot for that seed to become a plant. Basically high quality artificial nature my friends. Zero investment needed, all it takes is time.
Once they crack and form cotlydons I baby the heck out of them, venting the dome, removing it completely once a day, etc. This you can do as you please.
A word about the environment. The germination area is a box I made. Cardboard or a tent works. Big enough for a flat with a dome and a cfl light right above the dome. Keep the box in the 80's which it does with the heat mat and the light. Vent if gets too hot.
A couple things I avoid.
Paper towel method. Sure it works and is great for fresh seed. I just don't do it with old seed. I believe seed needs air. Even under a dome there is more air than a ziplock. I just don't like the variables of dark wet airtight environment for a living organism.
Scuffing. I just think with the amount of washing I'm doing, if I scuff I'm going to be making the seed rougher and harder to get clean. And how do I sterilize the scuffing device? Cracking seems quicker, cleaner, and importantly easier.
I can add some pics and links later, I just got baked with my coffee and decided to blurt this out. It is spring and popping seeds is on my mind!
Very special thank you to all the ICMAG family who contributed to this over the years and especially Chimera!
Disclaimer. For my science education, I went to the University of In the Field, where I feel I was out standing, but that's just me! So take this as you will! If it helps cool, if not I can re read it and keep myself honest.
Of course it's so easy with newer seeds. Just plant in soil, add water, warm, and light. Done. Who can't do that?
I think more the point here is getting old seed to not just crack a white tail, but successfully turn into a plant.
I have been working hard on trying to germinate some old cannabis seeds and some old vegetable seeds, mainly tomato.
My recent failures lead me to believe non viable seed is just that, she ain't gonna go. But I wanted to know that I did everything I could without a lab or chemicals. I always save some of those "dead" seeds, the future...who knows?
First read Chimera's method of starting seed. I can't find the link, sorry. He is the smartest dude I "know thru the intrawebs".
Here are some things I have tried.
First thing I to do is to get the seeds in the fridge for no less than 48 hours. I store my seeds in the fridge, those always pop so not the point of this. It's the seeds someone found in a garage and say 1972 on them that we want to work on.
So into the fridge they go. I like a week, to make sure they are fully chilled, in the dark. This is in my seed fridge which doesn't get opened often. If in regular fridge, put in light proof container.
From there I wash the seeds. Chimera's seed starting method employs multiple washes. This I wasn't doing. I was washing once. I feel as many washes as I can stand doing is worth it. The better washed seed seems to actually keep growing far better than the lightly washed seeds that sometimes germinate a white tail and then rot. Makes sense right. So don't be lazy and skip washing, it really makes a difference.
I use a small strainer. Obviously the mesh is fine enough so there is no way the seed can get through under pressure. Sounds dumb but it happens. Double screened strainer I found at Dollar store. I wouldn't be going through all this for seeds that weren't rare or valuable to preservation.
I blast them with the sink sprayer and swirl them around as long as I can take it. 3-5 min is as far as I can usually get haha.
Then a soak in bleach water or some people use h2o2. I don't like h2o2 because they used to call me Mr. Whitefinger. Y'all know what I mean.
A rocks glass of tap water and 5 ml bleach. Soak for an hour.
Back to the strainer for another wash.
Now I pat them dry in a clean paper towel. With gloves on and a very clean pair of needle nose pliers I ever so slightly crack the seed as little as possible. It take a few to get the hang of it. Someone makes a tool for this, looked bitchin'.
Once cracked back to another wash, stainer, tap water through sprayer.
Now directly into a rocks glass with tap water and a drop or two Botarnicare pbp grow. I don't like Super thrive, Vit B, etc because there is too much concentrated nitrogen. A few drops of base nutrient is fine.
Soak overnight or 12 hours.
From here I wash again and with gloves I sow 1 each into a rockwool cube (previously charged), seed starter mix, and straight earthworm castings or high quality compost. These are in a flat, on heat mat, under dome.
You need the heat mat.
Now we wait. I feel after all of this if they go they go. If not I did what I could. I've tried some Ga3 and such but results weren't any different.
Results are usually one of the three medias will work. The hardest oldest deadest stubborn seeds I have had success with have come from the earthworm castings sowed seed, on the heat mat. Temp 85-88.
A Member on ICMAG was sowing in earthworm castings, credit goes to them for that solid gold tip, I wish I could remember who you are.
I believe the living organisms in the castings combined with the emergence from the cold, super decontaminated, previously cracked, nutrient hydrated seed, clean water, heat, and light is the fairest shot for that seed to become a plant. Basically high quality artificial nature my friends. Zero investment needed, all it takes is time.
Once they crack and form cotlydons I baby the heck out of them, venting the dome, removing it completely once a day, etc. This you can do as you please.
A word about the environment. The germination area is a box I made. Cardboard or a tent works. Big enough for a flat with a dome and a cfl light right above the dome. Keep the box in the 80's which it does with the heat mat and the light. Vent if gets too hot.
A couple things I avoid.
Paper towel method. Sure it works and is great for fresh seed. I just don't do it with old seed. I believe seed needs air. Even under a dome there is more air than a ziplock. I just don't like the variables of dark wet airtight environment for a living organism.
Scuffing. I just think with the amount of washing I'm doing, if I scuff I'm going to be making the seed rougher and harder to get clean. And how do I sterilize the scuffing device? Cracking seems quicker, cleaner, and importantly easier.
I can add some pics and links later, I just got baked with my coffee and decided to blurt this out. It is spring and popping seeds is on my mind!
Very special thank you to all the ICMAG family who contributed to this over the years and especially Chimera!
I was able to google the name and see pictures without joining. Pretty slick looking. Looks built to last. I have a friend with an account inquiring about current pricing and availability. Seems a reasonable price for something that should last me the rest of my seed popping years. Especially considering I wouldn't use it for fresh seeds. Thanks again. 
