I spread them around roughly in the new england spring and get a few survivors. How long ago did you sow them, there in Saint Louis? I wouldn't bother sprouting them at this point because it's late in the season and borage is an annual plant. Unless you are checking for mere viability.

the last batch was planted 2 weeks ago. from what I've read if it doesn't bloom the 1st year it will go into a biannual mode & come back & bloom the 2nd year.

I've put the last packet of seeds on wet paper towels & put them in a zip lock bag. I know germination goes down as seeds get old but I find it hard to believe that not one seed sprouted in 6 seed packets. I planted the last batch in one of those seed starter trays with the clear plastic lid. again-not one seed. also this is not a common seed to be found in local garden & feed stores. some other seeds I bought at the same time aren't growing either so it's got to be the seed but what the h**l can happen to seeds to cause 100% failure rates? if anyone has some borage seed I have seed to trade. i'll post my search on the deed exchange.

That is interesting. According to this webpage, borage viability is good for 5 or more years. It's only been 2 days since the original post. Maybe give it a few more days?

these were planted in the ground several times over the last few weeks. they were planted in the starter tray 16 days ago. they were put in the zip lock bag yesterday. I've not given up on the tray yet but there should have been a few up by now. I checked the pkg. & these were packed for 2014.

Heat could definitely ruin an entire truck load of seeds. Or storage in a hot attic or enclosed greenhouse.

Martha

In all honestly, borage is about as hard to grow from seed as marigolds. Yep, super easy.

So as long as you are not doing something strange with the seed, I would suspect the seed has had something done to if to impact its viability. As mentioned, for example, heat and seeds do not mix.

Are all the seeds purchased from the same location and of the same "brand"?

And your seed is borage seed, correct? They kind of look like little pineapple grenades: http://www.deeprootsathome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/DSCN3000.jpg and are a larger seed.

FataMorgana

I only ever bought borage once (can't remember if it was seed or started plant), after that it self seeds, perhaps a bit too much ;) ...and it blooms that same year, so not biennial.

all the seeds were packaged by lake valley seed co. & came from the same nursery. I remember being pleasantly surprised to find borage in the rack. I stored the seeds in an unheated garage over the winter. I am a beekeeper & I'm always looking for the plants the girls like to forage. my thumb is pretty green which is why was so surprised that these did not grow. it has to be the seed. as I said 2 other types of seed bought at the same time from the same supplier had 0 % germination as well. I've had low germination rats before but never 0 %. I guess i'll buy some more seed online since I cannot find it locally. again-if anyone has some seed for trade or a sase let me know.

If you ask here in the fall, I may have some seed to give/trade. I generally have both blue and white scattered throughout the garden. I always plant blooming plants in and around the veggies. They encourage the pollinators to visit. I find borage an excellent companion plant for pole beans: http://ourgreenneighbors.blogspot.com/2013/01/companion-planting-with-pole-beans.html

FataMorgana

I found some borage seed at the same nursery today. it's also from lake valley seed packaged for 2015. i'll let y'all know what happens. I'd still be interested in some white flowered borage if anyone has some seed.

No seed available until fall. Ask then.

FataMorgana

Have you tried contacting Lake Valley or the store purchased from? They're local round here and have a decent rep. I too find it odd that so much wouldn't germ--it grows like a weed for me. I also haven't had problems finding blue seed locally, though I can't remember where I found my white I think I had to order it. I know another local company, botanical interests has borage, though I don't know how spendy shipping is if you're looking to plant now for this summer.

lake valley's website is down for inventory until the 18th of July. I will be contacting them. as I mentioned I did find some blue borage seed locally & planted some in a starter tray ( so I can monitor them ) & some directly in the ground. I ordered some white borage from outsidepride seed online. I'd forgotten but I planted around 8 packs of arugula that never came up, also from lake valley. I wonder if the truck this seed was shipped on got super-heated. I've been gardening for more years than I want to admit to & have never had so many non germinating seeds.