Can I quiz you on the transition from deep freeze to germination? I did not realise that it was an issue to go straight into attempted germination, how/ what is the best way of ensuring that this stress is reduced?
Sure,
@lozac123 , no problem. It's more of a "theory" at this point, for me, based upon my understanding of the principle of biomimicry applied in regenerative farming: Following the way it's done in nature.
Out in nature, for example, a seed falls to the ground and passes through a gradual transition of temperatures, from a cool fall temp, to colder, then eventually to freezing during the winter, in zones like mine; followed by a spring thaw and summer germination.
Biomimicry practice would attempt to replicate that gradual process as closely as possible. My old seed collection was kept in the fridge for the first 10 years before being moved to the freezer. It's not my habit to put new or young seeds into the freezer as soon as I acquire them.
I suspect the best germination rate is achieved when following the way of nature, but I can't say I've ever seen any formal studies published on it; but I feel that the principle of biomimicry is more than mere "bro' science". I'm unable to claim that I've done repeated experiments, like Amoril did, to prove my point or "theory"; but I do suspect it's possible to stress seeds, or stunt germination, by deviating from natural law and systems.
In hindsight, I should have moved them from the freezer into the fridge first, for a few days at least, to let them thaw gradually, then from the fridge to room temperature for a few days before soaking and sowing them. That would have been a more natural transition, in my opinion; and the safest approach with very old & rare seeds.
As for long term storage, whether in the fridge or freezer, I recommend you vacuum seal them first, with a sufficient amount of desiccant to protect against moisture. Personally I think freezing is best for long term storage, but once again, that's a theory that I haven't properly tested because I have never kept any seeds in the fridge for 20+ years to do a side by side comparison of germ rates.
Previously I always kept my seed in fridges but have moved to freezer in the last few years, so I am curious how to avoid the negatives of freezing the seeds.
I'm not an "expert," so-called, at this but I would definitely vacuum seal them with sufficient desiccant (rice grains) and avoid removing and thawing them unnecessarily, as I suspect that repeated thawing & refreezing could possibly reduce or impair future germ rates
So I have developed/ copied a slightly new way of using the paper towel method. I have moved to an old school rockwool and hps set up, but I have found moving the seedling from paper towel into a rockwool cube is quite tricky. I think it was Daz from night owl that I had seen the post, but he hangs the seedlings in some paper towels in a plastic baggie above the light in the tent. The heat helps to germinate them, and by hanging them you get more straight taproots that are very easy to transplant into a rockwool cube. Using the hanging method I have had seeds that are 6+ years old that are germinating with a full 1/2 inch taproot in around 48 hours.
Since I've never grown in rockwool, I can't offer an opinion on that but the technique you describe sounds intriguing. I like it. I'd like to try rockwool someday. I shared a video on this forum a while ago about a grower named 'Jahrome' who grew a 4 lb indoor plant in a 12 gal Air-pot filled with rockwool, as a contestant in a California "grow-off" competition. The video has photos of it.
Really interesting with the mutant looking one.
Yes, the mutant really intrigues me but currently it's less than half the size of its two siblings, but I'm very impressed with the stem thickness on it's siblings. Fortunately I still have 20 more seeds of that (Cindy'99×Haze#4), which have moved to the top of my "TO DO" list, based on their hybrid vigor that I've witnessed so far; so I'm a bit tempted to crack them asap, but those would be an indoor project and I'm hesitant to start them right now, as the threat of rolling hydro outages this year is too high and risky.
Plus with the tariff war, it may get too expensive to maintain a perpetual indoor garden, and hard to get my preferred inputs. Lots of variables for me to consider. Hopefully I can make some seed from what I've got going, at the moment
I planned on running issac haze again, but the first seed I ran cracked, but wasnt strong enough to develop a tap root and eventually died off after a few days. The second one I tried looks identical to your mutant. I let it grow to about 2 inches and the growth was still terrible, I topped it and it has encouraged more regular shaped leaves, but only on one branch and there is still much irregular growth on the leaves. I will keep it going for another few weeks but the suomi haze I germinated at the same time is significantly more vigorous and is much further along. I have a seedling of a oaxan x A5 on the go now too, so will likely get rid of the issac haze if it doesnt turn into something more interesting soon.
Those sound like killer genetics. I'm excited to see them, especially the A5 cross. My little mutant is snapping out of it slowly, and starting to grow more normally, but it's definitely going to be The Runt in this run. That's OK with me. I'll pamper it just like the others, if not more so.
Are you doing a journal of this run? I am extremely curious at how it goes for you, and good luck!
Thanks, lozac. Yes, I'm capturing this grow in a journal and will update it soon.
Cheers, brother!
.