Trove of 1970's 'bag seed' ...this could be fun.

[Antidote Man]

First batch of seeds did nothing, which I wasn't terribly surprised about. I'm going to do another round with a much greater number (a few hundred)...but that will have to wait because I just started some Chocolope and I can't start any seedlings that might germinate in the same tent that the now weeks along chocolope are growing in.

So I'll update again once the current grow is winding down and do a big pile of seeds to overcome the near-zero germination rate.

I've talked to my cousin with the seeds and he's up for supplying as many as I want so I can keep playing the numbers game.

thumbs up. keep trying and letting us know.

 

[hotrodharley]

I’m on page 6 and haven’t seen a picture of a single seedling or sprout. I’ve never had luck popping old seed stashes from way back when. They weren’t stored properly for long term.

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

thumbs up. keep trying and letting us know.

I will. Again, I think this ends up being a game of numbers, so instead of 30 seeds, next up I'll do a few hundred, etc. Plenty more where they came from so we'll see.

 

[farmerfischer]

If you go the ga3 route that the other member here stated.. be sure to soak and wash alot to get any left over ga3 off.. if you dont they will stretch uncontrolably.. i mean they'll still stretch alittle bit but no where near as bad.. (ive used ga3 abit in the past)
Personally i'd go the proxide route like Rurumo said.. if that doesnt work then go with ga3.. but the likely hood of 15-30 year ld seeds popping if not properly stored is slim.. good luck and fingers crossed you get some to.. that would be awesome..

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

I’m on page 6 and haven’t seen a picture of a single seedling or sprout. I’ve never had luck popping old seed stashes from way back when. They weren’t stored properly for long term.

Oh, they certainly weren't. But that won't stop me from trying. It's more of a fun sideline than anything...I have a stock of 'modern' seeds in my fridge that germinate without issue. So I'll keep trying with the old ones, but I'm not counting on it as my only option.

 

[farmerfischer]

Damn it..lol.
2 month old post.. smh..

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

If you go the ga3 route that the other member here stated.. be sure to soak and wash alot to get any left over ga3 off.. if you dont they will stretch uncontrolably.. i mean they'll still stretch alittle bit but no where near as bad.. (ive used ga3 abit in the past)
Personally i'd go the proxide route like Rurumo said.. if that doesnt work then go with ga3.. but the likely hood of 15-30 year ld seeds popping if not properly stored is slim.. good luck and fingers crossed you get some to.. that would be awesome..

Yeah, the first batch I did a sand/scuff then a peroxide solution soak and per a few suggestions gave 'em a roll in some rooting hormone as well. I'll probably do similar again with more seeds then if not that try the ga3 and see if that does anything.

 

[Moflow]

You could try planting in fresh worm castings

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

You could try planting in fresh worm castings

Interested in what that brings to the table? Any info on how that's beneficial in terms of germination?

 

[obijohn]

10 or so years ago they made dispensaries illegal in my county (still open in the city, not far) and I stocked up on edibles, tinctures, and some seeds, Cannalope I think. Ten of them, came in an airtight plastic tube, which I stored in a drawer, so they were dark and relatively cool. I'd been getting clones since then, but last year figured I try them out. Wet paper towels, the tried and true method which has always worked. Not one seed popped.

Regarding the worm castings comment above, stuff is like mud. I tried using it during one of my first grows decades ago, plants started dying and the roots couldn't grow or breath. Took them out and into Super Soil (the brand) and threw the casting into an outdoor bed for a garden

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

10 or so years ago they made dispensaries illegal in my county (still open in the city, not far) and I stocked up on edibles, tinctures, and some seeds, Cannalope I think. Ten of them, came in an airtight plastic tube, which I stored in a drawer, so they were dark and relatively cool. I'd been getting clones since then, but last year figured I try them out. Wet paper towels, the tried and true method which has always worked. Not one seed popped

My recently purchased seeds are all stored in their original containers, then in a ziploc bag with desiccant for humidity control, in another sealed ziploc bag then in our fridge @ about 38-40f degrees.

 

[obijohn]

I have mason jars with my first outdoor grow 12 years ago in the freezer in our refrigerator. Haven't tried it in years, guessing it's probably deteriorated

 

[hotrodharley]

I have mason jars with my first outdoor grow 12 years ago in the freezer in our refrigerator. Haven't tried it in years, guessing it's probably deteriorated

In a regular freezer in an unsealed jar? Probably really degraded.

 

[obijohn]

In a regular freezer in an unsealed jar? Probably really degraded.

Yup, but in the jars with the rubber seal - which may have also degraded. I pretty much always have weed around, I just haven't thrown them out because it was my first grow in many years and has sentimental value

 

[Sofa King Smoooth]

Yup, but in the jars with the rubber seal - which may have also degraded. I pretty much always have weed around, I just haven't thrown them out because it was my first grow in many years and has sentimental value

You should get some out, post a picture, fire it up and give a report on that 12 year aged

 

[dwcos]

Was back and forth texting with a cousin of mine...he's an old head from the height of the 70's...and he's been interested in what I've been growing. It's been fun sharing and discussing, and LOVE to get him on some stories of his exploits during that era; he is an inveterate music lover/concert goer & experienced much of the 70's counter-culture I was too young to see or be a part of. He's got me by about 15 years, so this would probably be stuff from probably 1975 onward.

...anyway, when I mentioned that I was interested in messing more with seeds that are truer to the landrace/sativas of yore, he dropped that he's been collecting and saving all his bag-seed from back in the 70's onward. And send me this picture of one of his bags:

View attachment 5162786

...for reference, that's an 8.5x11" piece of paper. Says he's got a bunch more bags piled up too.

He's going to send me 'a few spoonfuls' to see if I can get anything to germinate...we'll go from there.

So yeah, deep end of the pool, but could be interesting if I can get things to green up.

That would be a lot of fun to try. If he's stored them well you may get some germination. I'm from that general era as well and would love to experience some of that early 70's stuff again.

 

[hotrodharley]

Yup, but in the jars with the rubber seal - which may have also degraded. I pretty much always have weed around, I just haven't thrown them out because it was my first grow in many years and has sentimental value

Vacuum sealers work very well for long term storage with minimal degradation. I’m imagining it would be the same for seeds.

 

[imagreenwitya]

Oaxacan 78 full gallon zip and quart size, I've been trying to sprout them for 10 years with no luck.

View attachment 5163012

Man, if you could just get a few to go. Good luck.

 

[Drop That Sound]

 

[Drop That Sound]

What you guys think about this method? Like tissue culturing, but with seeds instead. Not trying to advertise for the kit, but i could see it being cheaper to put your own kit together.. Either way, You probably want to work in a still air box, or a hepa flow hood.

It helps give back the nutrients that broke down in the seed over the years, in a sterile envoronment so it doesn't contaminate.. yadda, yadda... Sound like a legit way to revive 10-20 or even 40 yo seeds?