So I tried to pop a 5 pack of cherry gar see ya. I soaked the seeds for ~3 hours and then put them into a moist paper towel into a zip lock bag and then placed on a seed starter mat. I checked the seeds every day starting on day 3 and not a single one of them cracked or popped. Yesterday was a full week and when I checked on them all were now growing mold so I tossed them. I’ve had seeds not pop before but not an entire pack, anyone else run into any issues?
Never have had that issue with Ethos.
Just ask for a replacement, they’ll take care of you ……
How do you store your beans? I’ve only had this issue on decade old beans.
I had just gotten the pack from Ethos maybe a week and a half before trying to pop them so they were stored in a drawer in the kitchen. The rest of my stash I have in a plastic container that’s filled with indicating silica beads. Seeds are still in their vials or other plastic containers. This is then stored in the back of my fridge.
I’m sure they are good to cover you once and may even do a germination test themselves. Doesn’t hurt to ask as chubby had mentioned.
My only suggestion would be to scuff your seeds by shaking them in a sandpaper roll with ends taped up for a couple minutes. Proceed to soak as usual but with some h202 and tap water. Same water goes to your paper towel. I usually just dome them with a couple plates and put on top of the starter tent with exhaust blowing that way.
Best of luck in your next adventure ![]()
I’ve popped a lot of seeds over the years and have never had an entire pack not pop so its a little disappointing for sure. Will try adding hydrogen peroxide next time and will have to give the sand paper a try. I reached out to them to let them know.
Use water that has been left out for at least 24 in open air to get rid of the chlorine in the water. Then use 3% hydrogen peroxide with water in a shot glass. I usually keep them in the dark while the germination process takes place. After they sprout tails transfer them to the wet paper towels for a few more days. I also keep them in a heat mat while the process take place, just don’t let the paper towel dry out and never use fresh water from the tap.
You can use peroxide right out of the bottle unless you want to dilute it further and cause it to be less than 3% peroxide.
Sometimes the shells can be stubborn. Scarification can help. Get some medium grit sand paper(300ish) or an emery board and sand along the “sharp edge”. Not too deep, but enough to weaken the shell and help allow water in. If they’ve already been soaking, try gently squeezing between your thumb and forefinger along the “sharp edge”. I personally do a 24hr soak in a 2:1 H20 to H202 solution. Then into damp, not wet, damp paper towel. Like you would do with soil do get the correct moisture level. When you give it a solid squeeze, it drips…just drips. Then into an open zip lock until you see tails. I like to see about 3/8" - 3/4". From there into your desired media. I have 100% germ rate unless the beans are old, stubborn, or bunk. Last resort is embryo rescue with TC methods.
I actually did the sandpaper thing for the second attempt. I 3d printed out a little cylinder container, cut 300 grit sandpaper so it fits inside then dropped the seeds in closed it up and shook it up for 15 or 20 minutes while watching youtube videos. All the second attempt seeds popped.
Awesome to hear! During the seed formation, stressors like temps, lack of/too much nutrient can make for thick shells. Sometimes it’s just genetics, which it seems like this one may be.
Woot woot!!!
Dudes 3d printing shakers!! Love it!! Congrats on the 100% return. I do this method to every seed no matter the age but damn 20 mins is excessive
I usually do a minute or so
It happens when you are stoned and watching something. ![]()