Seeds:The practical

[The Cannarchist]

Looking over at the seeds 101 thread , and since i'm starting a few breeds...I thought I'd use the input from the 101 thread to do a practical on seed germination.

I'm using a variety of strains so we can get a nice overview of what happens.Some of the seeds are African and will be subjected to slightly higher germ temps to get them going(85-90 Degrees).The Kush seeds come from a cooler local and these we will done be using the standard methods proscribed.

Straight water in a glass
Paper towel method
Flannel method
plastic bag method
Straight into soil

As I have a few Kandahar seeds we can compare seed age and seed quality into the mix at the same time.

The one thing I do ,that was not mentioned at "101" ,is to add 3% hydrogen peroxide at the rate of 5ml/liter to the water at the start(purchase from your local pharmacy).This will kill any molds/bacteria that may be on the outside of the seeds in storage(Seed storage practical will come later)I have found a far greater rate of germination using Hydrogen peroxide than plain water.

So.....

You have obtained your seeds....and probably paid a few coins to do so....Naturally you want to get the max germination possible.

First things first....

Lets go look at a range of seeds and see what we are dealing with.......

Remember.."Size doesn't count"..I have grown 3 meter high sativas from the smallest , palest seed you could imagine.And little colas of Indica from the fattest,darkest seed.Colour does count for germination % chances though.

[The Cannarchist]

Here is a random handfull of straight off the plant Afgani seeds.
You can see that they come in every size shape and form.....

We will hunt out the best to start the germ process with....

[meloyelo]

hey Cannarchrist, VC is a lot less to type and I can pronounce it better.
But how about looking at this thread, which you probably think is a bunch of hooey and comparing your seeds to the chart and note them. Couldn't hurt you know, except maybe waste some of your time. But the results, who knows could possibly be beneficial. You're in the right place at the right time to give it a look.
http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/showthread.php?t=254
-melo

[The Cannarchist]

No problem Melo,

I'll pick out those type of indented seed and see if that myth is true....

(Now i'm going to have to go out and buy one of those new fangled 8 megapix/10 x optical zoom cameras to show you)

[The Cannarchist]

Sorry about the name change......VC is now a red rag to the LEO bull(shit)...

Bare with me please!( or how about TC instead of VC?)

[meloyelo]

(Now i'm going to have to go out and buy one of those new fangled 8 megapix/10 x optical zoom cameras to show you)
Well only if you really want to, but I'd take your word on your results.
-melo

[Lothar of the Hill People]

I've always used bleach at a 1 tbl to 1 gal water concentration to kill the critters. The old "C-Bay leaflet" method... :)

[The Cannarchist]

I found that too much bleach kills them Lothar....The H2O2 works just as good.

After seperating/grading the seed this is what we have.......(As you can see I do need a new camera at any rate...)

[LadyTokin]

*watching and learning with great interest*

[The Cannarchist]

Grade#1

VERY black with a bronze coating,evident tiger stripes all over from tip to stern.

[The Cannarchist]

Grade#2

Dark,with some tiger stripes,but not all the way down the seed yet

[The Cannarchist]

Grade#3

Dark but no stripes

[The Cannarchist]

Grade#4

The "grey ghosts" as I call them

Not enough colour yet,no stripes.(But these will still germ well)

[The Cannarchist]

Grade#5

These can have some colour but are immature when looking at the seed size and base.the seed has not yet come to full size.50/50 chance of germinating.

[The Cannarchist]

Grade#6

The tan ones......

Small,immature no colour.....90% chance of NO germination,but some of them still will.(Because they want to)

[The Cannarchist]

Ok lets remix them and study the results of the different methods.

Firstly..

The shotglass method

Take a glass of water(with hydrogen peroxipe added as above) , drop in the seeds........

[The Cannarchist]

(i'm going to have to redo this as Vapour erased all my photos off the digicam)

[kisanth]

DOH!

Might as well just toss those seeds and start new ones I guess.... lol

[vapor]

sorry dude...

[Alaska]

Woops :)

A

[Bogey]

OK so here i am completely engrossed in seeing the results and what now? Are we waiting for a new camera?.....

[The Cannarchist]

Nah,Bogey......Now I'm waiting for space on the seedling shelves......I can't bare to just pop them for a teaching exercise,every seed that pops should be given a chance in my book.It would be like killing my own kids!

Suns out and the days are warmer,should be able to move the current seedlings out to the greenhouse at the weekend and do another batch then.

I'll do just Kandahar this time around so that we can see how the different techniques work on the same seeds.I think I was over stretching using dif strains.

[grasshopper]

Suns out and the days are warmer,should be able to move the current seedlings out to the greenhouse at the weekend and do another batch then.




just finished watching the news
cloudy friday-sunny sunday-weds
lows in the low 40's(don't know what C* that is)
thursday or early friday might be better


fwiw

[tiedye420]

I didn't realize anyone used the ancient art of selection anymore. L.O.L.
Thanks TC for sharing the ride....
L.O.L. Pick us a winner will ya!
Oh darned time to get ready for my grueling Day of working.
A 2 hour paper route . LMAO...
take her easy guys
tiedye

[The Cannarchist]

OK weather is going to get hot so I'm clearing shelves.

And lets start again.....

Kandahar seeds

[The Cannarchist]

As you can see ,I have sectioned out 5 batches of 10 Grade#1 seeds.

[The Cannarchist]

First up is the shotglass method

You'll need some Hydrogen Peroxide 3% by volume,available at any pharmacy
A small glass
Fill Glass three quarters full
Add one cap of 3% Hydrogen peroxide
Then add seeds.

The HPer will kill any molds or bacteria that may have attached to the seeds and oxygenate the water for more O2 when the seed pops.

Place Glass in a warm ,dark place.Or cover with saran and a piece of material to keep them dark.Seeds do not like direct light on them as they germinate.It does not allow the tap root(first rootlet) to get long enough before the seed cover cracks fully open.I have seen seeds pop and the leaflets try to emerge at the same time as the rootlet.result is usually death in that instance.

[CannyBus]

BTW. your project is just as good as any other reason to get that new Camera. :)
I almost hesitae to mention the time spilled bear in my car's carpet came in contact with dropped seeds in same carpet, Car acted like a small greenhouse!

[Joe King Park]

er, if you need to use any of my images , you're welcome CannyBus
Big welcome back , btw
Joe

[CannyBus]

Thanks, seems my spelling was pretty bad last night, LOL

[przcvctm]

BTW- For those not acustomed to the metric system Cannarchist's ratio of 5ml of 3% H202/liter H20 works out to be just a little less (0.80) than a tablespoon / gallon.