Old Seed Germination Tricks & Dead Seed

I had about 60 seeds from 1999 to 2001 of ipomoea tricolor. I tried to germinate them 10 at a time and each time they turned to mush.

I have found something that works for me and managed to germinate 3 seeds out of 67 ipomoea tricolor from 1999 and 2001.

I have used the method on fresh seed and have had almost 100% germination.

1. Soak the seed in hydrogen peroxide 3% for 10 minutes, then dry it. This removes any pathogens (fungal / bacterial) It also means you do not have to chip the seed or abrade it. On a microscopic level the seed coat is worn down enough to allow even absorption of water, you don't get that big blob of gel or situation where a weakened cotyledon has a chance to rot.

2. Place the seed with sterile tweezers on a sterile piece of filter paper that has been soaked (but not swimming) in a solution of GA3 (Gibberillic Acid 200ppm) I made that from a 500mil solution that I had put in 2 drops of super thrive.

3. Cover with cling film and leave at room temp NOT any highter. It's IMPORTANT that the paper is just damp, not wet, as my trials have shown that old seed that is just soaked in water etc explodes and will ooze gel..infecting the entire batch.

4. Make observations every few hours through the cling film (you guys call it saran wrap?) remove any seed that have started to split down the middle or ooze gel, wash any remaining seed everytime you remove dead seed, if any mould has formed transfer everything to a sterile dish, I have gone so far as to spray the seed with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and rinse it straight away.

I treat all my seed old or new the same way, I swear by the hydrogen peroxide trick, it degrades to harmless oxygen and water. DONOT even think about using chlorine bleach it will kill your seeds straight out!!

I have attached a photo of dead seed that I germinated the wrong way for reference purpose before I did the above trial...I am sure we all know what dead seeds look like..I think it is all down to keeping everything clean...and the GA3 works as well..

This message was edited Jun 18, 2009 7:05 PM

"Exploded" seed that was not soaked properly, mist old seed with GA3 (200ppm) and keep just moist no more than room temp...

I hope this thread helps people with old seed, or looking to increase normal germination or just worried about germinating a rare species.

Rest in Peace Dead Seed :(

Great tips!!! I will try the hydrogen peroxide on my seeds.

The Hydrogen Peroxide is highly recommended by most folks on DG for seed starting! It helps prevent seed rot and disease. Good luck! :-) Happy sowing and growing of your seedlings!

I've used H2O2 for years. I soak my seeds overnight. That may be over kill though. I've also been told that viable seeds sink in water (in this case Hydrogen Peroxide) and bad see floats. I don't know how true that is. That's another way to cull out bad seed. Maybe someone else can comment on that.

Colibri

Hi Rareseedman

Thanks so much for the info. I do have rare seeds I want to try but wasn't sure of the method. Some of these seeds need cold stratification. Should I use the H2O2 before I put in the fridge?

Sherri

I am not an expert this is just something I picked up and trialed...I was very dubious about H202 and have since told everyone - I would be too scared to try it over night...ipomoea turbinata was a 20 minute soak and it germinated 24 hours later without chipping...which I don't do anymore..

On trials I noticed that viable seed or seed that looked viable did sink, dead seed did float. I think it was because there was something wrong with the seed coat, when the H202 came in contact it 'fizzed up'

Seray 53, I have heard that a soak in H202 can get rid of germination inhibitors, seed that requires stratification I wash in soapy water as well; I tried this with an impatiens species, but the final soak was in sterile water treated with 200ppm and I would alternate conditions, fridge in the night and room temp on the day.

I have posted a picture of seed I have treated with a 10 mins soak in H202 then put on a paper towel sprayed with GA3 (200ppm) and 2 drops superthrive to 500 mil of water. Any dead seeds I removed and sprayed everything with H202 including the remaining seeds followed by a wash in water.

I think it is still dead however notice the difference, possible increase in the chance of germination of 10 year old ipomoea tricolor, I think of it as trying to bring a mummy back to life!!!

Here in another sterile soaked seeds - I am probably teaching you something everyone here knows, but notice the difference, no slime, no explosion, no mould...I will keep you all informed if the remaining seeds germinate..I just liked the ipomoea tricolor that I am trying to cross with another I have...fingers crossed it 99.9% it will transpire to nothing...be careful though with GA3 it's a hormone and once the seeds do form a root do not use it or you end up with leggy seedlings that have deformed leaves..I think that is what caused one of my albino leaf problems..these seeds were stored in my loft in a jar so probably the change in temps over 10 years did not do them any favours..

Thanks again Rareseedman:

I'll start with not so rare seed and try your method. Your instructions were so clear and detailed that it inspires confidence in Newbies like me. Veggies are easy. I'm finding some vines etc. are not, so I'm always appreciative for any help in upgrading my skills. I found DG gardeners to be the best informed and wiling to share their knowledge.

I'll be watching to see your photos of the tricolor and will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Sherri

Hello;

Thanks but I am a 'newbie' myself after not growing ipomoea for about 3 years; I have a few weakened seedlings with twisted leaves so hardly an expert and I am still trying to experiment with soil types and drainage.

The seed germination method I am using is from combining several sources off the net after researching for hours. It has worked for me for the last 4 weeks.

Before I used to soak and place on towel and hope for the best until a few infected seeds would contaminate the whole lot, this method seems to work for all types of seeds

I am down now to 3 seeds; the few seedlings that have germinated in the last weeks from 10 year old seed are in the intensive care unit on life support probably to come out and have one of my cats dig them up LOL

I think if I can sum up the thread 'keep it sterile'

I have had floater seeds that DID germinate, so that is not a hard and fast rule. There is limited validity to that assumption.

I remembered a thread and specifically a post that mentioned about floater seeds viability:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=2144412 This would be for very common seeds possibly, NOT for relatively rare/valuable seeds. :-)

Thanks Becky

I may do some experimenting myself. Many of my veggie seeds didn't come up this year. So I was looking for an easy solution. LOL

Sherri

I managed to get one seed to germinate :)

The seedling was very weak so I kept it out of full sun and fed with dilute seaweed extract, I did not manipulate the photo just took out details of the tricolor cross from 2001 as I am still experimenting. You can see it's by the corner of the pot as I put in 3 seeds that developed roots but they just twisted up; I am taking photos at every stage would be nice if it produces something cool

Here she is today, might be a he plant :P as it survived it's man flu.

We have got cats so this one is not going outside it's staying in my porch and hopefully I can cross it with another tricolor, I potted it up very very carefully and will keep you all posted.

Ipomoea purpurea seed from 2006 did not germinate and seems to have a very short life, for me anyway!

It shows that a small feed of seaweed extract was appreciated as much as some golden nectar...might be a man after all...won't try giving it lager though..not at this stage :P but I have heard that beer is good for plants..hmmm I can see a nutrient experiment thread starting heheheeheh

Looking good Rareseed! Keep us posted.

Sherri