old seed germination

[Stonerabbit]

Do i have to take some extra steps to try to germinate old seeds or just the same as fresh seeds.

Stonerabbit

 

[mrwags]

I've read something about putting sand paper in a matchbox then the seeds and shaking back and forth to help the shell prepare for germ, but I'm sure one of the fine experts here will chime in soon.


Mr.Wags

 

[Guest]

High Stonerabbit. I would germinate the seeds the way you usually do. The sand paper thing mr wags talks about is for seeds that have really thick shells. Chipping or scratching the shell of the seed allows for moisture to get inside the seed for it to germ. Hope this helps. peace

 

[Sinfuldreams]

the percentage of viable seeds

the percentage of viable seeds

Goes down with age, how they where stored, so the more seeds you have the better your chances of getting what you seek.
Sandpaper helps to scuff the shell, not a bad idea,
Also Umm forget the name off hand Sensi Soak? a pre-germination product is supsose to increases your chances of germinating old seeds.

Other than that the best tip I have is to Jump up and down on one leg, on the 3rd Quarter Moon of the month in which you plan to pop the beans! ( Helps if this day falls on a Wednesday, but not a requirement)
Sin

 

[Guest]

Wow Sin I can't believe you use the same germination method I do, and I thought it was a old family secret... Dam Dog.

 

[jakespeed]

I find success also by dropping the seed in 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide for a couple of seconds, then put the seed into your growing media, with warmth around 80 and high humity

 

[kilacaLIbud]

i just germed about 10 seeds ive had for about a year now...and i found that the more heat u give em the better...i put them in seperate baggies and wet paper towl,,,and put em on my 70 watthps for about a couple hours and they were cracked open...then i just took them out and put em on a plate and put em on top of my cable modem...took forever to get one to sprout tho...

 

[valk]

I just germed 3 Nirvana PPP seeds from just over 2 years ago using the wet paper towel method. It took about 5 days to see taproot.

 

[dowink]

I usually store all seeds in the freezer, until needed usually a year or less,when I want to germinate I pop them in the frig for a few days . then take em out and soak them in PH adjusted cold water. until they sink, then plant them. I ve great results on seeds 1 year or older. Good luck

 

[Pepin]

Everyone has different success rates, storage methods, etc. I store my beans in a 35mm Film Can, with a package of sorbent (inside with the beans) and I have seeds that are more than 6 years old, and they still pop just fine. Sorbent and silica gel are the same thing... its that little package of crystals labeled "DO NOT EAT" usually packaged with finer leather goods.

FYI:
I can't remember where I read it, but the seeds have a thin protective, water soluble layer over them that will harden with time, scarring, chipping, cracking, or scratching that layer, tends to let the water thru, and the seeds germinate.