So in the past, I have stocked up on seeds and now trying to grow some of those seeds they take off just fine, but they’re smaller. They don’t produce buds. The only thing I can think of is the seeds are too old but yet they sprouted so I’m confused. Seeds could be anywhere from one to three years old in the refrigerator, In a drawer. I normally grow auto’s, but I did try feminized got the same results. Using the same nutrients, I’ve always used. Some have bought from here and others from other sites. I just thought if I kept them in the refrigerator that they would last a long time or in my mind forever. I can’t afford to buy new seeds right now so I’ll have to wait to get new seeds to see if that makes a difference
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I don’t really know anything about how long seeds last. I can tell you that I have recently grown plants from five year old ILGM seeds and they grew no differently than fresh seeds.
I don’t store my seeds properly; I just keep them around 66 F in the dark in original packaging.
Edit: I just checked, the seeds were actually 7 years old.
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Here’s a recent thread featuring 30-year-old seeds that sprouted and grew fine, as far as I can tell: Finally got them to erect
Have you considered goosing the seedlings – for example, by adding fulvic acid and/or a growth promoter like SNP-3?
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Yes I have popped and grown out 15 year old seeds that were improperly stored in a tin . Sadly they run out lol .
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I can vouch for a 4 year old seeds. The fact that you say they didn’t flower almost makes you think they’re male. Lighting could play big part of non-flowering plants. Could be a time for a
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Seeds can be dried to 50 rh and jarred or sealed and put in fridge. Keep for decades that way.
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Good information given already but just as another example, I grew the plant below from seeds that my son had sitting in a drawer for at least 12+ years at the time. Just seeds from a local grower creating his own strain. It was started with two HSC’s Stoopid Fruits, and while it lagged growing big time behind them at one point it seemed like she was on steroids and outgrew everything. Bud tasted and smoked most excellent but it was also my first exposure to Mr. Bud Rot who took virtually everything 
Still have a few and will see what happens with seeds almost 20 years old next year!
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Growing inside or out? What strain and what conditions are the plant in?
Slow growth and development are usually from environment conditions. Cold for example, plants will survive in moderately cold temps but growth will be stunted. Not flowering is usually light time. If it was an auto with recessive gene would need to be treated like a photoperiod. It happens fairly often.
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I appreciate your inputs. Glad to know I’m gonna have to get into my stash of seeds and pick some seeds from ILGM.
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Ebb & flow system?
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Yes, but I consider it a hybrid system because I let them sit in the nutrient for an hour every three hours. Never had an issue with that.
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Haven’t seen one run this way. But if it usually runs without issues then I wouldn’t expect it to be related.
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I just germinated, and started two blueberry auto’s, about three weeks ago I purchased seeds from ILGM in 2018 . They’re doing great outside grow.They will have just enough time to finish before frist frost.
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I popped and had some seeds start growing that I found in an old mint tin from the late 70’s-early 80’s. I ended up pulling them because they were unknowns and I had ordered some new seeds from ILGM and I needed the growing area outside. I probably still have about 500 seeds in that tin. Keeping it more for nostalgia than anything. With that many seeds, I’m sure that it’s just Mexican Dirt Weed. I’ll end up taking them out on the golf course and throwing them in the rough areas or on a couple of the walking trails near me. There is some landscaping that they don’t mow on the trails that still get water, so maybe a little surprise for someone to enjoy . Plus I can check their progress every few days and bring a water bottle filled with nutrients if I see them struggling.
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Not to hijack this thread, but along these lines of longevity… Have you guys heard of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault? It’s up in the Arctic area. Basically it is a doomsday seed vault for the world. I know that there are others too, but what I like about this particular one is that it seems that they take heirloom seeds from small growers as well as from major seed companies. I’m going to contact them and see if they are interested in some of the different marijuana seeds that I have. I’d be willing to throw $500 at ILGM to get a variety to send to them. I’m interested in what everyone else thinks? I’d say definitely send some Landrace varieties, some Indicas, some Sativas, and a bunch of hybrids. What would you want to be saved as far as strains go?
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It’ll be interesting to see how your old seed stash comes out. Honestly I wonder how much of how bad most of the Mexican Dirt Weed in the 70s and 80s was due to the shitty post harvest treatment including brick pack anaerobic drying/curing. A lot of the newer hybrids taste cookie cutter to me and maybe your stash has some decent landrace gems. Good luck!
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Thanks @Cannanaut , I think that I might try some on my next photoperiod grow just to see what happens. Maybe get 4 good ones going (figuring that 2 will be male) and then go through the process with modern soil, nutrients, all the newer science-based stuff. It would be an interesting challenge. I know that a lot comes from genetics, but I agree, maybe a little nurture would go a long way to improving it. And I give the majority of mine away anyway, so I would be anxious to get the feedback.
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This one was bag seed from my 1st really successful grow. Small, no fruity or sweet flavors, just those old school Thai spicy notes. Damn good high. With your old school stash who knows what you’ll get next year. Hopefully you report back with good news!
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Love it. Looks great. If I did indoor, I could do it sooner. But I’m an outdoor only guy, good, bad, and otherwise, but it is a fun adventure for sure. Speaking of Thai, just a couple of weeks ago I bought the Oh My Thai Auto seeds from ILGM. They are next on my list for my winter grow outside. (SoCal). It’s always great to talk to people that have that shared experience of the old school Opiated Thai Stick from the 70’s and 80’s. I also had just the regular Thai Stick and even that by itself was a joy to smoke. But to see the little cream colored flakes in the Opiated ones, you KNEW that you were in for a party. As the old expression goes “Fucked up like a ten-dick dog!”
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