The older they get, the more difficult they will be to germinate. I try to sow baptisia the same week I've harvested the seed.

Tony Avent - Fresh sown Baptisia seed germinates quite easy and quite fast...usually in two weeks. Old stored seed, on the other hand is very difficult and slow to sprout. I recommend that all old Baptisia seed be placed in a Styrofoam cup and doused in boiling water and allowed to cool prior to planting. This will begin to break down the seed coat and encourage germination. We have even tried this on seed that was sown but showed sporadic germination. Un-germinated seed were sifted from the potting mix, drenched with boiling water, and resown - See more at: http://www.plantdelights.com/Article/Baptisia-False-Indigo#sthash.GLZ35Diu.dpuf

Yes. I've done older seed via the baggie method in the fridge. They did take a while. As long as the seed remains firm, keep trying. If it pops like a zit, well, you know.

Leguminous seeds are often fairly long-lived - you may find that germination time increases but viability should still not be too diminished after 2 years (in optimum storage conditions)...unlike apiaceae for example which really must be fresh...or primula, which will go into dormancy when seed is dried but will germinate without stratification when seed is fresh and green.

I just collected some Baptisia seed - the pods were dark and dry and seeds were just coming out of them. I have heard a couple of different ways to start the seeds - would the boiling water method do best or should I put them in the fridge for a couple of months? I have never grown Baptisia seeds before so would appreciate some detailed advice on how to start them. Thank you!

Judith

Judith, if you sow them very fresh with no pretreatment they should germinate in just a couple of weeks. That can lead you to the problem of what to do with seedlings over winter, when they may not have developed enough roots to survive freezes outdoors. I start mine outside, pots, in a wheeled cart which comes into the garage curing cold winter storms in this coastal Z8.