Old seeds cracked- keeping them alive?

[Chi13]

I was gifted some old seeds that are hard to germinate. Maybe one in four or five will split and show root, but go no further. The just seem to run out of steam no matter whether I plant them straight away or keep them in water.

Can anyone suggest any techniques that might help?

 

[xet]

I was gifted some old seeds that are hard to germinate. Maybe one in four or five will split and show root, but go no further. The just seem to run out of steam no matter whether I plant them straight away or keep them in water.

Can anyone suggest any techniques that might help?

It is a question I have seen time and again.

The oldtimers have had best results throwing the seeds in their outdoor garden and they may come up the following spring or in another spring or two or not ever.

 

[Tomatoesonly]

I'm aware of someone having the same issue. They are trying gibberellic acid as a soak.

It seems to be the only thing that actually worked, according to research and youtube evidence.

Lots and lots and lots of myths out there on how to get old seeds going. From what I heard, it's very difficult.

 

[Switcher56]

I'm aware of someone having the same issue. They are trying gibberellic acid as a soak.

It seems to be the only thing that actually worked, according to research and youtube evidence.

Lots and lots and lots of myths out there on how to get old seeds going. From what I heard, it's very difficult.

I was going to recommend that as well. I found this to be informative .

 

[Bio boy]

I add tnc mycor tnc hydromax it adds the fungi that aid plant growth and make em strong
I believe some fungi is on the seed andbacteria after so long in storage that dies off so I re add it and vigor comes back

 

[NEVLU]

I’ve had the same problem with several genetics here in Thailand
Did you find a solution that works/helps ?

 

[Tomatoesonly]

I’ve had the same problem with several genetics here in Thailand
Did you find a solution that works/helps ?

Get ahold of some gibberellic acid in the proper concentrations. I've seen some old beans ( 10+ years, no fridge ) recently that reacted better with it, than without.

 

[NEVLU]

Get ahold of some gibberellic acid in the proper concentrations. I've seen some old beans ( 10+ years, no fridge ) recently that reacted better with it, than without.

Thanks i will try to get some
Do you know the proper concentration diff types or is it mixed with water ?

 

[Tomatoesonly]

Thanks i will try to get some
Do you know the proper concentration diff types or is it mixed with water ?

You can buy the crystal everywhere. It's mixed with alcohol then that is bubbled off and then added to water in the end. You're looking for around 100ppm. The video above is really good. GA3 is gibberellic acid.
SO just a little more info. the 100ppm equals about 750ml of solution and the tiniest spoonful I've ever seen. Maybe 1/16th teaspoon. SO that tells you don't go buying a pound of this stuff. The solution does have a shelf life... like a year I think.

 

[Loc Dog]

What are the oldest seeds you have seen germinate. I have hundreds of Columbian Red seeds from around 94.

 

[Chi13]

What are the oldest seeds you have seen germinate. I have hundreds of Columbian Red seeds from around 94.

I gave some seeds that were made in 2007 to a friend last year. They had been stored in the fridge all that time. Probably about 70% still viable.

1994, don't like your chances unless they were frozen but worth a try. I might give the GAcid a try in the future. I have lost some quite expensive seeds over the years.

 

[NEVLU]

You can buy the crystal everywhere. It's mixed with alcohol then that is bubbled off and then added to water in the end. You're looking for around 100ppm. The video above is really good. GA3 is gibberellic acid.
SO just a little more info. the 100ppm equals about 750ml of solution and the tiniest spoonful I've ever seen. Maybe 1/16th teaspoon. SO that tells you don't go buying a pound of this stuff. The solution does have a shelf life... like a year I think.

Thanks a lot for the answer, will try this next time i pop, have many old seeds waiting for me