Is it worth to grow old bag seeds?

[whazamatteru]

Hi all, i’m sure that this topic has been discussed before here. If there’s a link to previous discussions, I am happy to look there. Anyway, I was gifted several old 35 mm plastic film canisters full of seeds circa 19 70s and 80s. No other labeling other than “Seeds,” . The usual stored in a dark closet somewhere story. My friend told me that he had been unsuccessful in germinating any seeds with wet paper towel etc. said that seeds was from his college days in the Midwest, and that they were most likely either Columbian or Mexico.
My inner nerd is intrigued by what kind of genetics I may uncover, but the realist part of my brain says that most likely the seeds have long lost their viability, and that I would better off using known genetics from reputable breeders to create the strain I’m looking for.
so far, I have no investment other than time in this project. I am somewhat by the number of plants I can grow legally in my state. This is not a commercial venture. My overall goal is to develop a strain that works well in the high desert at my latitude.
I would welcome any comments. Thanks

 

[OldCoolSativa]

Good things come from bagseed. Haze, Chem, etc.

 

[whazamatteru]

That’s my thoughts as well. I’m going to germinate 100 seeds. Even with a 5 to 10 % germination rate, that would give me a few plants to become parents.
I’ll post pics and notes

 

[OldCoolSativa]

If they're 40-50 years old and unrefrigerated/unfrozen you'll be lucky to get a 1% germ rate. Good luck though!

 

[yesum]

The shells will be hard. I scrape the seams of the seeds to make it easier to germinate, less effort for the embryo to emerge. Seed cracking can work but I worry about squishing the insides.

Maybe something like coconut water for a soak, I sometimes soak the seeds in hydrogen peroxide at 3 % for a few minutes before scraping and all the rest. Likely the embryos are dried out and dead but not so much to lose trying.

 

[DARKSIDER]

That’s my thoughts as well. I’m going to germinate 100 seeds. Even with a 5 to 10 % germination rate, that would give me a few plants to become parents.
I’ll post pics and notes

Best of luck Go for it

 

[NEED 4 SEED]

None of it will germinate if they weren't cooled most of the time. My bet.

 

[swampthing]

I wish I had saved more from those daze. Especially from very early on… even in 99-00 there was still very potent “schwag” going around. Often looked terrible… but my first grow was from some bag seed and the finished product was unlike anything I’ve had in ages. Cedar & pinesol with a ripping tsunami effect that was trippy and accompanied by major munchies

This was 20 years ago now… jeez

 

[exoticrobotic]

Bag seed has always provided me with pure gold. First set of true leaves always reeking of old school funk.

Try soaking the old seeds for 48 hours in mineral water with a splash of 3% hydrogen peroxide.

I bubble mine with an airstone and have 60% plus germination with 20 year old seed but these have been stored airtight and refrigerated for the entire time.

You could get a worm bin and try to germinate them in there. The worms might help you out.

When i had one a few years ago all sorts sprouted in there and the worms got rid of any mould which can be a problem when sprouting old seeds as you often have to keep compost moist and warm for 30 days or more which a working fed worm bin will do in summer easily.

GL

 

[EExtinct]

Yes

 

[Nannymouse]

Wow, if you can get some of that to germ and grow, it might be very nice.

 

[whazamatteru]

I’m going to go for it. I’ve got a least 200 seeds. Definitely mixed genetics. Hoping get 1to 2 percent germination rate. Waiting to get back home next week . I’m on vacation in sunny Caribbean . Still at least a foot of snow in hometown USA. I’m liking 85 F & Sunny.
Being the obsessive note taking that I am, I’ll document & share.

 

[Jellyfish]

Bag seed is great when you're first starting out. Why experiment with seeds that are $100 for 5 seeds? And when I did a few runs with bag seed, I got some good outcomes. I was glad I had a little experience in growing before I took the plunge and purchased seeds online.

Good luck, may your germination rate blow everybody's mind!

 

[draztik]

I would look into this to increase your chances of success.

PRESALE - GERMINATOR BUNDLE — Cannomic

The Germinator Bundle is designed to help you crack open those seeds, new and old alike. With a simple 2 step protocol, and all equipment included, it’s never been easier to start seeds! Bundle Includes: 1x GERMINATOR Shaker 5x GERMINATOR Solution A 5x GERMINATOR Solution B ***THIS IS

www.cannomic.com

 

[Randy Lahey]

If they're 40-50 years old and unrefrigerated/unfrozen you'll be lucky to get a 1% germ rate. Good luck though!

For all the people who believe that, "Seeds NEVER go bad".... This is the reality.

unfrozen/unrefrigerated shelf-life is (2-4 years MAX) depending on temperature and humidity of storage location.

 

[whazamatteru]

The seeds may be nothing but a former shell of the their potential. We shall see what happens.
in response to Draztik , thanks for the suggestion, but my overriding goal is not to spend a bunch of money.

 

[Randy Lahey]

The seeds may be nothing but a former shell of the their potential. We shall see what happens.
in response to Draztik , thanks for the suggestion, but my overriding goal is not to spend a bunch of money.

I'm kinda in the same situation with some "old seed" of mine with the ACTUAL SKUNK that everyone is wanting back.....

I have it....but the seeds are from 2014 and not a single one has popped for me....yet...... I am down to 23 out of 75 seeds that I was gifted early 2014. The house raised so much "smell attention" by a 500ft radius, that well in short....caused me to have to STOP growing for 4 years..... I've been slowly trying them one at a time for the last 3 years with hopes that I can get one to pop. But I left them room temp in a dark semi-airtight sealed jar before I knew that it is absolutely VITAL to store your seeds in a freezer for maximum shelf-life.

Things aren't looking good on my end.

Fingers crossed for the both of us tho.

 

[JetLife175]

OG kush
Bubba kush
The Chems
Sour Diesel

These are all things spawned from a seed found in a good bag of weed.

I think that pretty much answers your question.

 

[troutman]

If the weed was good. Then grow them.

 

[Loc Dog]

Isn't gibberilic acid supposed to help if they are on verge of not being viable? I have a couple of hundred columbian red seeds from 92 I am going to throw in water now. Doubt any will pop.