Cool. Keep us posted on how it turns out. It would be interesting to know how viable they are after 15 years.

I'd be curious to know the results too. I planted some 5 year old hot pepper seeds last year and was surprised to find that they still had pretty good germination (I forget the exact %, but I believe it was well over 50%) and they grew well and produced peppers. But 15 years is a whole other ball game... keep us posted!

I have seeds from Cancun Market Habaneros that are over 15yrs old that still sprout.

Thanks all, I will keep you posted on how it goes. After examining the seeds I have a feeling which may not sprout the ones that are no longer white look dry and brown, I will plant them anyways just to see. Smokemaster that gives me hope that at least some will sprout. That also leads me to this question why then do a lot of people throw out seeds after a year or two? I think after this project if I have success I will no longer throw out seeds just date them and store. Though I would never trade any seeds that were older than a year that's understandable.

Most seeds will keep for about 5 yrs. if not mistreated.
Though I have found that the fresher the seed the faster it sprouts.Especially with seeds fresh out of the pod,not dried.
A lot of the wild seeds I've tried to sprout that were a few years old didn't do well for some reason.Low to 0 germination rates.
I would have thaught the wilds would have done better than domestic seeds since they probably would have genes to deal with harsh conditiond etc.
I try to rotate my seed collection so most of the seeds are not more than a few years old,but my collection is getting so big I need more gardening area...or find more trades for some of the harder to get seeds. :)

Hey habjolokia! Honestly, I have seed packets from the mid-90's.. some don't have a high germination rate, but others are fine. I know many places say not to, but I have always kept mine in the freezer... let us know how they do.

I just got around to starting this project today is day 1 for the old seeds. Hi kuvaszlvr! that's interesting, how long have you left seeds in the freezer for and still have them germinate? I will keep you all posted on the progress.

Seeds are fine frozen as long as they are dried first.
The seed banks keep seeds in liquid nitrogen for years.
If you freeze a wet seed the water in the seed expands and destroys the seed.
Dry seeds are ok to freeze if properly dried first.

What is the proper way to freeze seeds?
Wrap in foil? Put in a coffee can? dd

any update on the old seeds?

I've had great luck with older seeds (purchased packets). I've gotten good rates from basil and brocolli from 2005 packets...those are the oldest I ever tried..will be trying to finish those off this year.

On another forum, a poster got a 35 yo tomato seed to sprout! Something her grandmother, or mother in law, or someone had brought over from italy. Only 1 of the seeds sprouted, but we were all excited!

Well not going so good with the first batch about 15 seeds so far nothing. I have about another 50 or so left to try and get to root. Switched focus to my grow season planting, my Red Hab seeds are now little seedlings. Got Bhuts going also just waiting for them to sprout roots. Glad you were able to get some of your older seeds to sprout t-bird. I may try some old jals seeds again and leave the current batch a few more days before I toss em.