Unfortunately, bamboo seeds lose viability quickly. If they are older than a couple of months from harvesting, you could have a tough time getting anything. So...you have seeds that are at least 9 months old, plus however long they sat around after they were harvested and before they were sent to you. In addition, bamboo only produces seed when it flowers (which is rare), and it happens worldwide when it does. I am unaware of black bamboo being in flower currently or recently, so I am not sure what you got. Where did these seeds come from? (And if you got them on eBay from a seller outside the U.S., I should let you know that they came into the country illegally, as Federal regulations prohibit bamboo seed importation without a permit and a year quarantine.)