Old Seed Viability

17 years ago

Don't throw those old tomato seeds away! I planted 2 indoor flats (I have to have my green fix before my WS lettuce starts germinating in mid-late March). As I felt that if seeds don't germinate, it's less to worry about when I move, I have planted some of my older seeds. Tomatoes from 2005 and 2006 trades are germinating - in fact, in one cell, 3 out of 4 seeds of Earl's Faux are up. I have WSed several, too, and have no doubt that many will make it.

Other older seeds that traditionally do well for me are nasturtiums and hollyhocks (I think HHs are viable forever if stored well - I planted some that were over 10 years old that germinated).

What old seeds have you had success with?

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Comments (5)

jmdj1994
17 years ago
Hey that's very encouraging! I did a whole bunch of seed swapping in 2004 and have had tons left over and this year I sowed several flats indoors and several containers for winter-sowing. I figured that if "they" can get 4000 year old lotus seeds from Egypt to bloom I should be able to get a few flowers and veggies out of 4 and 5 year old seed, I had a few seeds that were almost 9 years old so it will be interesting to see what happens. If they don't grow then I will throw the remainder of the seeds out but boy I sure hate to do that! Thanks!
caren-2009
17 years ago
Hey to you and yours!,I saw on one of the gardening shows on PBS that there are several ways to check seeds before you go putting 'em in dirt; good seed will sink to the bottom of water filled container,(soaked overnight for best result)OR put in a wet paper towel inside of a plastic bag for up to 10 days(depending on type of seed,could germinate even sooner!)I hate to throw away seeds and this has worked great for me!AND,I am no pro by any means.
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nancy_drew
17 years ago
I think if stored properly, seeds can last for a very, very long time. I always store mine in a tightly closed container (tupperware) with packs of silica gel to make sure the humidity doesn't effect them. I have some from 04/05 that I have no doubt are viable. I also have some from 1994 that I sowed this year, without a second thought.
PVick
17 years ago
Last year I sowed some Burpee Bush Boy seed from 2001. They hadn't done anything in months out there, so I was getting ready to toss the container. But I took one last look; good thing, 'cause there was green in there! Every seed germinated!

That's part of the reason why I ended up with 4 tomato plants up here last year! First time I've ever had enough tomatoes to freeze some.

I did have some 12-year old pony tail palm seeds germinate some years ago - kept it as a houseplant.

PV
highalttransplant
17 years ago
A couple of years ago, I WS some Columbine seeds that were 6 years old. I had good germination, but the sprouts died in a late freeze : (

I think seeds are viable a lot longer than the seed companies would lead us to believe.

Bonnie