Fast Buds Underdeveloped plants

[SuperSkunk]

I purchased seeds back in August and was told via email that for long storage its best to keep refrigerated.
About a month ago I took 3 seeds out (Rhino Ryder x2, Mexican Airlines x1) of the fridge to germinate. Took about 4 days for seedling to show and planted. It took 2 days more until they surfaced.
I'm now in the end of 3rd week and all three have started flowering but they are all midgets. The 2 RR are about 20 cm and MA about 12 cm.

I'm wondering if maybe there is another method of germinating after it's refrigerated for so long (about 5 months)?
Could the refrigeration cause something to the genetics?
What could explain the lack in growth? (Using LED with both switches growth and bloom turned on from the start).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Vorkosigan]

Prior to germination did you allow the seeds to come up to room temperature or did they go from the fridge to medium? What germination method did you use? What medium and nutrients are you using and at what strength? How far away are the lights? What's your growing environment like - temperatures and humidity?
There are a lot of factors that can stunt a plant.

 

[SuperSkunk]

I placed seeds straight from fridge to damp towel germination method (did not wait to go up to room temp). After sprout I placed the seeds in soil about 1.5cm from surface.
Using Age Old nuts (Kelp, Grow and recently Bloom) about 1ml each for every 1.5 liters of water.
LED is about 45 cm from plants. Temp between 22-29 degrees and humidity is a little on the low side, between 40%-45%.

I have what to compare to since I grew a few plants as soon as I got the seeds (the leftovers I put in fridge).
When I got them, germination with same method took about a day to sprout. Another day from planting to surfacing.
They were Fast Buds but different strains. After week one about 5 cm tall. After 2 weeks, about 9 cm. After 3 weeks about 25 cm, after 4 weeks about 55 cm and after week 5 final height of about 1- 1.1 meter.
Same temps, more humidity and Dual HPS

 

[Vorkosigan]

General practice is to allow seeds to stabilize at room temperature before attempting germination, that might have been the issue. Everything else sounds good & you're obviously giving them TLC.
Even stunted bud is still bud. I've had two severely stunted plants due to environmental issues and have gotten 1.5oz & 2oz off of them with some TLC.

 

[Fast Buds Heather]

Thanks @Vorkosigan! You nailed it!
Let's see how they go, @SuperSkunk! Your setup looks nice!