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San Diego

I have a good deal of experience with germinating ag's, but lack experience with germinating old ag seeds. This year I started two 9 year old seeds and one 8 year old. I always use the advanced seed starting method and get root growth around 20 hours with most seeds. I thought my older seeds were duds, but after 72 hours, they seem to be showing small signs of life with some small root growth. My guess is that it just takes them a little longer to get going being so old and that it isn't a sign of weakness and non vigor? Any thoughts or experience from others? Thanks, Jim

2/29/2008 8:38:58 PM

Utah

I don't have any experience with old seeds, but I would think that the older the seed, the longer it would take to germinate. I don't know though, that's just what I think.

2/29/2008 10:18:00 PM

Ohio

Jim, thats a pretty good percentage,you must store your seeds well. whats your storage method?

Brooks

3/1/2008 3:57:36 AM

San Diego

most seeds were stored in the freezer in air tight containers brooks. My percentage is aroundd 50% for the older seeds so far.

3/1/2008 12:30:26 PM

[email protected]

Really old seeds can be treated to a pre-soak in potassium nitrate with a little giberellic acid to coax them along.

3/1/2008 7:16:05 PM

Springfield, Missouri

I got some gibberellic acid from http://www.super-grow.biz/GA3Powder90.jsp they carry all of the plant growth hormones. Do not use gibberellic acid or other plant growth hormones constantly throughout season, or every year to start seeds as this could lead to the plants not being able to produce their own hormones.

3/2/2008 8:44:43 PM