How Old is too old?

[Leeroy&Co:]

Whenit comes to seeds. How old is too old before you can use 'em? I have a few seeds given by mother in law but they look like they are from the seventies it's been 2 weeks now and nothing sprouting yet, even after a soak in water first. Should give up and buy some fresh ones?

 

[dagnabit]

i've heard stories of decades old beans sprouting...

this is a tag im interested in what happens

 

[wilbur]

sounds like yr seeds may be too old. I 've noticed the seeds from my aussieweed sativa will germinate easily first year and some will come up second year (this is after the rain in the garden under a fruit tree where any seeds get thrown). but very rare to see a third germination.
you might try some bottom heat on yr germinating tray ... just warm to the touch ... and see if that makes a difference.

 

[Mrgreenharvest]

try putting the seeds in some water (if you can keep the water mildly warm this helps, heat mat?)

then drop an airstone into the same water, get some air pumping into the water and just let them be..

once you see them crack get them out and put them in some paper towel or what ever other method you use.

 

[SilverSurfer_OG]

Many times i have chucked out seeds that didnt sprout and they end up being recycled back into new pots... then they pop out sometime later lol.

Some seeds need scratched with some sandpaper etc to get throug a tough outer 'skin'

 

[someotherguy]

Many times i have chucked out seeds that didnt sprout and they end up being recycled back into new pots... then they pop out sometime later lol.

Some seeds need scratched with some sandpaper etc to get throug a tough outer 'skin'

Yeah, what he said, lol.

btw, an easy way to scuff your beans is to get yourself a box of stick matchs, the small ones not the bigger kitchen matchs, anyway, just toss the matchs in the trash and cut a small piece of 200 grit sandpaper to line the 'floor' of the empty matchbox.

Then just put the beans in the box and shake baby shake, lol.

btw, if the beans came from something nice i'd keep trying, otherwise i'd toss them.

Pdeace, SOG

 

[Captain Ginyu]

I've successfully popped ones that were over ten years old, so I say try any way. Effort has a reward in it's own right!

 

[Bullfrog44]

I busted a seed after 30 years..... O wait, that was a nut. All over your face kid!

 

[Opus53]

im with surfer, iv cracked beans more then ten years old which grew into fine plants, if they dont show youve lost a few old beans and gained more experience

 

[Captain Ginyu]

Not laughing

 

[stumpy mcgee]

I busted a seed after 30 years..... O wait, that was a nut. All over your face kid!

 

[Technique]

Usually if shes over 24 i wouldnt consider....

 

[Rysam]

The title of this thread is so misleading.

 

[MIway]

 

[luvaduck]

be patient brother leeroy. As SilverSurfer said, sometimes they will pop out later. If you really want them, don't give up for a while yet. I too have had sprouts from recycled seed raising mix from presumed dead seeds, sprouting amongst other plants. Now I wait a little longer if they are something special.

 

[Technique]

So very misleading,

but yes i agree keep em moist, humid and you never know!

it doesnt cost much to buy good ones from the bou, and they get here fairly easily. but giving your mother inlaw something back might be good

 

[sso]

lol, had a seed, i had wet for 2 weeks, then forgot about it for a week, dried out, just for the heck of it, i got it wet again and about 6 weeks from the first time i wet it, it sprouted.

though usually after 2-3 weeks or so, if they havent sprouted, they´ve started to rot, but any thats still firm,(wont just smoosh together) i would not give up on, specially if it was seeds i really wanted.

 

[Mountain_Monkey]

aren't there kits you can buy specifically for starting old seeds???

 

[CannaBunkerMan]

They're too old if they don't germinate.

 

[Leeroy&Co:]

Thanks for the replies fella's, some interesting posts there, especially the mini matchbook sandpaper contraption.

I never had probs with germination before, but these seeds may well be over 20-30 years old and i just wasn't sure how long to give them before giving up on em'

It's worth a shot as they may have been something interesting? But still nothing has sprouted as yet and by the looks of it I would be very surprised if anything shows now.

Thanks anyway for the replies and have a good day peeps