Struggling with germination

[sir_smokesalot]

I have some wild type pure Sativa seeds from Malawi that a friend gave to me after returning from extensive travels in Africa. My problem is that I can't get any of them to germinate. I started with about 80 and now only have around 30 left. Not a single one has shown even the slightest sign of germination. I don't whether its something to do with temperature, the medium I'm trying to germ them in or maybe they are just dud seeds, which I find really hard to believe.
Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get them to germ?
Last night I employed the 'soak between two layers of tissue and place in a dark cupboard routine, but have yet to notice any young roots/shoots emerging.

[SmknVTEC]

Put them in a wet paper towel, put them in a ziplock baggie [not sealed] and put them on your computer tower for heat. If they don't sprout within a few days they are duds.

[Leapfrog]

In addition before you do what SmknVTEC said soak them in a glass of PH neutral water (distilled water) for 24 hours which causes most seeds to crack within that time, especially if they are fresh ones.

[adajam4]

i usually go with the warm paper towell method.... 100% germination rate!

[sir_smokesalot]

Originally Posted by SmknVTEC

Put them in a wet paper towel, put them in a ziplock baggie [not sealed] and put them on your computer tower for heat. If they don't sprout within a few days they are duds.

Thanks for the tip dude, I don't have a computer tower as I'm only a laptop man, but I have a heated propagator which should be just as good. The seeds are firm and look healthy enough hence why I can't imagine them being duds. My main concern that came to mind was that they are a tropical strain and therefore probably need very warm conditions for germination? A friend told me to stick them in the fridge for a week and then try to germinate them, but I can't really see that helping, could always try it with some anyway I guess.

[SmknVTEC]

Yeah keep them warm for germination. That's all you can do. Do they have a zebra print? That is good. If they are green or white probably no good.

[sir_smokesalot]

Originally Posted by SmknVTEC

Yeah keep them warm for germination. That's all you can do. Do they have a zebra print? That is good. If they are green or white probably no good.

Yep a few have the marble pattern, but most are a dark reddish brown. One or two white ones and no green ones. I'm going to do as you say and stick them in the propagator, will post back here whether I'm successful or not.

Thanks to all who replied

[sir_smokesalot]

Originally Posted by Leapfrog

In addition before you do what SmknVTEC said soak them in a glass of PH neutral water (distilled water) for 24 hours which causes most seeds to crack within that time, especially if they are fresh ones.

I did this, a day ago and now almost all of the seeds have split around their sides and a tiny white root (?) is visible. So I guess that means that they are very much viable. I've only just procured a ziplock bag so I'm going to do what SmknVTEC suggested. I really need to get this show on the road as its already middle to late spring and I'm going to be growing them outdoors straight in the ground. As they're sativas I reckon they'll need to be in the ground until May next year at the very least.

[adajam4]

that white bit is a tap root! the most important root of your plant... be very carefull on touching it and i usually let it grow a little before putting it in any medium... when u finally do, be carefull! place in the medium with that tap root pointing down.. it usually will end up coming out of the point of the seed... the tap root burrows down and ur sprout will pop up.. usually in a day or so... little leaves then boom ur plants up and off! as for the outdoor grow look on the outdoor grow for suggestions i canny help ya!