Techniques for The Germination of Older Seeds

[hawkman]

Build-a-Soil – has that product “coconut water powder”
Also have heard good things about using"Re-Charge" (GrowDudes.com/Irie Genetics) they spray it on the paper towel when you sprout seeds

[hawkman]

sure sounds like it will work - never thought about sprouting them in worm castings instead of paper towels . the only thing is that sometimes the casting have bugs/insects/mites in them - guess need to to buy quality casting

[shag]

@Ace71975

I think this was the post being refered to.

So I was having the same issue as you with some beans from the 70s.
I tried everything I could, but nothing worked.

BUT I finally mixed a few methods together, and took some advice from a member here, and got about a 98+% success rate.

First I soaked the beans with a diluted solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and some Poland spring water.
I did a 6-12 hour soak that was 2 Tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with 2 cups of spring water.
I shook them in the container every so often.
And if any sunk I took them out !
You don’t need to leave em there for 12 hours. Probably better if it’s less time, but I know I left some in for 12 hours and they still worked. I even left some for around 24 and they worked. But I think around 6 - 12 hours is safest.

Then I took them all out and washed em off with spring water only.
(As my friend @buckaroobonsai just spoke to me about, it is a very important step to rinse the h202 off, so don’t forget.)

Next I took a small plastic Rubbermaid container, like the cheap small square ones from the dollar store, and I filled it halfway with Organic worm castings. I sprayed the worm castings down with a mister just enough to know the the top layer was wet. Like 10-12 sprays. Don’t let big pools of water sit on top, but it should be wet.

Then I placed the seed gently on top, not buried. Just resting on the top of the WC. I give it one more most, seal it up, and place the container in a warm dark place.

I had beans from the 70s pop in less then 24 hours this way when EVERYTHING else I tried failed.

I didn’t see how many beans you had left, but I would try at least one or two this way. It has worked for me.

I tried 15 beans using all types of other methods, and nothing popped. But as soon as I tried this way I popped 6 out of 7 with what I had left of those old beans, and 100% for every newer bean from other strains I’ve tried since.

If you try it let me know, but I’m sure it will work for you.

@MoBilly maybe give this a try when those beans get to you.

[MoBilly]

Thanks. I’ll try it.

[Fishbulb]

I can honestly say this method worked for me. I was only popping 10+ year old seeds

Rinse the hydrogen peroxide off game changer. I used growdan cubes not worm casting. I see why the worm casting would work better but I worked with what I had. I Ireland we have a what called a hot press it’s where the hot water tank lives and dry folded sheets and towels average temp around 22c nearly constantly. I used that area. I can’t thank this tread enough for the advice. Cheers everyone

[Even]

I’m glad you highlighted this, I have been running tons of tests on old seed and have observed h202 damaging the cell structure, in extreme cases it actually oxegenates to the point of destruction. I haven’t seen many mention washing it off. Good man

[Even]

This year I have tested over 100 seeds, each more than a decade old (stored at room temps in ultra dry state)

Sharing the findings here as a member requested it in another thread. Hope that is okay.

Seed Germination Tests - Even.pdf (1.8 MB)

[woodenShampoo]

@Even thanks for sharing

[Grayeyes]

I just popped in 2 days some 12 year old seeds. I followed @shag and ace’s method other than before into the worm casting media I stuck the seeds into a slit in a leaf of aloe vera for about 4 hours. Aloe vera is said to have gibberellic acid in the mush in the leaf.

The media I used was a mixture of store bought worm castings with some real worm casting (my own) mixed in. Further, from reading his method I also took a plastic bag you get at the grocery store for veggies. I put that over the plastic bowl with wc and put it on my modem with some paper insulation so they don’t cook.

Definitely works!