Precracking - Auto Flowering - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

midwestganja · 03-04-2009, 02:12 PM

I know this is a good topic and an important one for AF growers. I just recently did my first seed run with Master Low. After letting the seeds sit for about a week or so I attempted to plant approx. 10 ML seeds directly into soil. 10 days later, nothing! Soil was kept moist, temps were fine, yada yada yada!

So what does one do!? I broke down and tried the Precrack method which mdanzig has described already in great detail. What do you know! I soaked 20 seeds for 12 hours overnight, came back and precracked them, and directly into soil. 48 hours later I have 18/20 already up.

Precracking is the only way to go IMO !

Anyone else have good success without precracking?

Peace

DoobieDuck · 03-04-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midwestganja

the Precrack method which mdanzig has described already in great detail. Peace

MWG...do you have a link to the detailed thread you mentioned? I'd like to read it..thanks DD

midwestganja · 03-04-2009, 02:22 PM

Here you are doobieduck:

https://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=36204

also some good info in this thread

https://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=92186

DoobieDuck · 03-04-2009, 02:26 PM

MWG I read it...and thank you for the fastest reply I think I've ever had on IC...DD

darkhollo · 03-04-2009, 02:27 PM

I read the link but he merely mentions it (cracking the end of the seed where the tail emerges)

I have heard of sanding seeds, slicing them with a razor (common for some sour bubble seeds) to help the germ rate. I'd love to see a pic of a cracked or scuffed seed.

I have tried the sand paper lined matchbox trick, placing the seed in the matchbox and shaking for 30 seconds to scuff them up. Didn't seem to change my germ rate.

--dh

03-04-2009, 02:29 PM

I always precrack my seeds between paper towels and I plant as soon as they crack cause I don´t like tampering with the taproot. I´d say +80% germinate/grow when treated like this.

midwestganja · 03-04-2009, 02:30 PM

Yeah essentially you soak the seeds for 12 hours overnight, in the morning I used a set of tweezers and ever so gently squeeze the tail end of the seed until you hear it/see it pop, it will crack open that little tail end, then put it directly into dirt, or back on a paper towel(if you so choose) and within 24-48hours you should have a tail emerging.

Its pretty cool how cracking a seed can change how fast they germ or if they germ at all. I tried precracking other seeds and I smashed a few. These ML's have a hardier shell it seems.

beek · 03-04-2009, 02:48 PM

How deep did you sow your seeds when you had no luck with germinating in soil ?

I have yet to experience any seeds not germinating and I always go soil route. I put seeds on soil and just do as you would salt your food...just cover the seed with thin layer of soil. Soil is moist of course...

midwestganja · 03-04-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beek

How deep did you sow your seeds when you had no luck with germinating in soil ?

I have yet to experience any seeds not germinating and I always go soil route. I put seeds on soil and just do as you would salt your food...just cover the seed with thin layer of soil. Soil is moist of course...

Usually about 1/2" or so below the surface. Nothin! Not a single bean germed with that method. Another thing is the beans were only 1-2 weeks old from harvest, so maybe they need a hardening off period? I duno, either way, I plucked 20 freshly harvested beans and pre-cracked them, and they germed faster than any beans i've ever germed.

So there's definitely something to precracking!

*mr.mike* · 03-04-2009, 08:16 PM

When I buy/acquire seeds, I don't precrack, but I do hit them with a diamond jeweler's file around their edges. A regular file will, or can, break chips off of the seed.

After I do a seed run, and have plenty of seeds, I never precrack, or otherwise mechanically treat the seed. I only plant them and let them sprout on their own. I hope that will kind of select against the tuff seeds.

03-04-2009, 02:12 PM	#1
midwestganja Farmin Fool Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 475	Precracking I know this is a good topic and an important one for AF growers. I just recently did my first seed run with Master Low. After letting the seeds sit for about a week or so I attempted to plant approx. 10 ML seeds directly into soil. 10 days later, nothing! Soil was kept moist, temps were fine, yada yada yada! So what does one do!? I broke down and tried the Precrack method which mdanzig has described already in great detail. What do you know! I soaked 20 seeds for 12 hours overnight, came back and precracked them, and directly into soil. 48 hours later I have 18/20 already up. Precracking is the only way to go IMO ! Anyone else have good success without precracking? Peace
	Quote

03-04-2009, 02:26 PM	#4
DoobieDuck Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Only where my disabilities allow me to be. Posts: 7,419	MWG I read it...and thank you for the fastest reply I think I've ever had on IC...DD __________________ Please join me in my Summer 2018 All Black Grow
	Quote

03-04-2009, 02:22 PM	#3
midwestganja Farmin Fool Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 475	Here you are doobieduck: https://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=36204 also some good info in this thread https://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=92186
	Quote

03-04-2009, 02:27 PM	#5
darkhollo Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 212	I read the link but he merely mentions it (cracking the end of the seed where the tail emerges) I have heard of sanding seeds, slicing them with a razor (common for some sour bubble seeds) to help the germ rate. I'd love to see a pic of a cracked or scuffed seed. I have tried the sand paper lined matchbox trick, placing the seed in the matchbox and shaking for 30 seconds to scuff them up. Didn't seem to change my germ rate. --dh
	Quote

03-04-2009, 02:29 PM	#6
curts1 Guest Posts: n/a	I always precrack my seeds between paper towels and I plant as soon as they crack cause I don´t like tampering with the taproot. I´d say +80% germinate/grow when treated like this.
	Quote

03-04-2009, 02:30 PM	#7
midwestganja Farmin Fool Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 475	Yeah essentially you soak the seeds for 12 hours overnight, in the morning I used a set of tweezers and ever so gently squeeze the tail end of the seed until you hear it/see it pop, it will crack open that little tail end, then put it directly into dirt, or back on a paper towel(if you so choose) and within 24-48hours you should have a tail emerging. Its pretty cool how cracking a seed can change how fast they germ or if they germ at all. I tried precracking other seeds and I smashed a few. These ML's have a hardier shell it seems.
	Quote

03-04-2009, 02:48 PM	#8
beek Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 116	How deep did you sow your seeds when you had no luck with germinating in soil ? I have yet to experience any seeds not germinating and I always go soil route. I put seeds on soil and just do as you would salt your food...just cover the seed with thin layer of soil. Soil is moist of course...
	Quote

03-04-2009, 08:16 PM	#10
mr.mike Cosmic and Eternal Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 282	When I buy/acquire seeds, I don't precrack, but I do hit them with a diamond jeweler's file around their edges. A regular file will, or can, break chips off of the seed. After I do a seed run, and have plenty of seeds, I never precrack, or otherwise mechanically treat the seed. I only plant them and let them sprout on their own. I hope that will kind of select against the tuff seeds.
	Quote