Experiment=frozen and thaw over 100 times, seeds still viable?

[rshackleferd]

I heard all types of rumors one in that if you froze seeds you will lose 20% of the seeds each time. I didnt believe this because nature has several freeze and thaw cycles so begins my little test. So for an experiment i froze and thaw 10 seeds over 100+ times during an entire month. Half of the freeze and thaw cycles were even quick thaw in the glaring sun. These seeds were not dried out with rice or with silica desiccant they just happen to come from my seed collection of vials. The ten seeds were from all different types of strains from indica dominate verities to sativa, hybrids to unknown bag seed. I also planted five regular seeds as a control group. So far its been 6 days 9 of the 10 frozen and thaw seeds popped up and are growing nicely while all five of the control group went up. They are all growing at the same rate. I dont plan on growing to full adult hood because its just a seed experiment and the pots are way too small to begin with.

Added: I picked the best "looking" seeds for both the control and experiment. None of the seeds are more than three years old. The reason i am doing this experiment is that seeds lose their vigor over time and freezing them helps keep that vigor for years if not decades. I was also worried about power outages or equipment failure and if that would effect my precious seed collection during storage.

 

[kermit2692]

Grow those out, let them live... Or I can have nothing more than zero respect for your mediocrely useful experiment. If you grow them out then ok you just checked something along the way, otherwise this is frivolous at best you wasted the potential of these plants for commonly available knowledge

 

[ryan1918]

The only problem I could see you having is when they are frozen they are wet and dry could build up moisture and then start either molding or germinating because of it, but I don't see the point in you doing that, next time freeze them and keep them in a bag or tupperware that way will prevent frost or any water build up on them, I've heard of people only keeping them in the fridge for years and they are fine, same with a dark cool non moist area would be fine too

 

[rshackleferd]

The only problem I could see you having is when they are frozen they are wet and dry could build up moisture and then start either molding or germinating because of it, but I don't see the point in you doing that, next time freeze them and keep them in a bag or tupperware that way will prevent frost or any water build up on them, I've heard of people only keeping them in the fridge for years and they are fine, same with a dark cool non moist area would be fine too

I kept them in a closed vial during the freeze and thaw cycles. I dont think they would have made it if they became wet, that might be another test later on down the road. It does rain in nature, so im wondering if getting temporarily damp would matter. Thanks for the info

 

[rshackleferd]

Grow those out, let them live... Or I can have nothing more than zero respect for your mediocrely useful experiment. If you grow them out then ok you just checked something along the way, otherwise this is frivolous at best you wasted the potential of these plants for commonly available knowledge

If i do that i would have to cull all of them but one. I planted the ten in a five inch pot, I did the same for the control group. They are really close together so it would be hard to transplant the rest, most of them would die from transplant shock. I also put all the freeze and thaw seeds in one pot without labeling them, i would have no idea if it would be an indica, sativa, or hybrid. If it made it this far shouldnt it keep on going? I really dont want to start over..lol. Might cull all but one and see how it goes for a few weeks in veg.

 

[OLD MOTHER SATIVA]

you did a great service for people by doing this...

happy to know people are so smart and generous with their info

always knew freezing is good..always wondered about repeated thaw

5 stars *****

be proud!

 

[Labs Dexter]

Very good buddy, ^^ like above and thanks for your time taken to give us educational information like that.

 

[rikdabrick]

I also thank you for taking the time to do this experiment. I keep my seeds in the fridge, but it's cool to know I can put them in the freezer without I'll effect if needed.