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Post by florence on Feb 6, 2013 14:54:25 GMT
Just sown some tomato seed with a sow by date of Aug 2004, what are its chances, be interesting to see.
At least its early enough to sow fresh seed if they all fail.
2 years ago all my fresh sweetcorn seed failed, so had a rummage about in my seed tub and found several opened packets from previous years, going back 5years. Mixed them all together and got almost 100% germination.
How many of us have saved opened packets of seed but still buy fresh each year. Alright parsnips might be an exception, but i must have at least 10 opened packets of carrot seed,would they still be viable d'you think.
Does anyone know of a way to test seed, something like on wet paper in the airing cupboard perhaps.
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 6, 2013 15:15:27 GMT
Soaking kitchen roll and putting beetroot/parsnip seeds on it, then another wet sheet on top, then into a food bag and put somewhere warm is a tip I learned from being on here. It works but I've not tried it with anything else florence. I've used seeds that are years old and read an article in a magazine last year or the year before where I think they gave the number of years that seeds could be used after, if you know what I mean. As you say, most things will germinate even after a good few years if they've been stored properly. Parsnips of course being the exception. Go for it. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 6, 2013 15:21:09 GMT
I was told this week that I have a tomato fetish!!!! Sounds like a dirty old man's ailment somehow !!!
Anyoldhow, I do have around 40 varieties of toms and I would be very surprised if the seeds don't germinate. I sowed some from 2000 last year and they were great...
As LG says I think most things keep well..
I was always told that a quick test for seeing if seeds are viable was to drop some in water. The viable ones will sink and the dead ones will float...
RF
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Post by Tig on Feb 6, 2013 15:28:12 GMT
I rarely throw any seeds away, last year I found some beetroot that were use by 2004. I sowed them and got better results that with some fresh seeds I'd bought! Tomato and sweet pepper seeds seem to last for years if kept dry. Even wet they survive in my compost dalek. A few years back we emptied it on a new border and within weeks it was a forest of tomato seedlings  Found this info which gives a bit of a guide Veg and flower seeds and how long they are at their best: Veg seed No of years Flower seed No of years Asparagus 3 Ageratum 4 Aubergine 5 Amaranthus 4-5 Beans 3 Anthemis 2 Beetroot 4 Anthirrhium 3-4 Broccoli 5 Calendula 5-6 Brussels sprouts 5 Celosia 4 Cabbage 4-5 Cineraria 3-4 Carrot 3-4 Clarkia 2-3 Cauliflower 4-5 Cosmos 3-4 Celeriac 5 Digitalis 2 Celery 5-6 Eschscholzia 3 Chicory 5 Gaillardia 2-3 Chinese cabbage 5 Godetia 3 Cucumber 5-6 Helianthus 2-3 Endive 3-4 Heliotrope 1-2 Fennel 4 Hollyhock 2-3 Kale 5 Impatiens 2 Kohl rabi 5 Larkspur 1-2 Leek 3 Linaria 3 Lettuce 4-5 Linum 1-2 Marrow 5-6 Lobelia 4 Melon 5 Marigold 2-3 Onion 1-2 Mesembryanthemum 3-4 Parsley 2-3 Myosotis 2 Parsnip 1-2 Nasturtium 5-7 Pea 3 Nicotiana 4-5 Pepper 4 Nigella 2 Pumpkin 4 Pansy 2 Radish 5 Petunia 2-3 Salsify 2 Phlox 2 Scorzonera 2 Salvia 1 Seakale 1-2 Schizanthus 4-5 Spinach 5 Sweet peas 2-3 Sweetcorn 1-2 Sweet William 2 Tomato 4 Viola 1 Turnip 5 Wallflower 4-5 Watercress 5 Zinnia 5-6 |
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Post by Jilly on Feb 6, 2013 21:38:59 GMT
I'm terrible for this, I can't bare to throw seeds away & I've only got a small garden so I only need a few of anything (I daren't sow too many, as I have to find a home for all the seedlings too  ). I used the same packet of ten week Stocks for 5 years running & only ran out last year & they always germinated. What I normally do is if the seed is old or the packet is open I sow a bit early so that I can always buy a fresh pack if I decide I really want something. We do swap our seeds around quite a bit on here though, I can usually find someone who wants to share a pack of something, trouble I can't say no to trying anything that anyone else is offering & then I'm back in the same position I started in, but that's part of the fun |
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Post by Dutchy on Feb 8, 2013 9:22:43 GMT
Oh dear Jilly you have got it bad...... I only throw seeds away if after three years trying I still can not get them to grow in my soil.
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Post by florence on Feb 11, 2013 11:13:35 GMT
Update on the old tomato seed.
So far 100% germination on 3yr old Shirley seed, no sign yet of the others. I have5 varieties, all old seed in the propagator.
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Post by Auricula on Mar 2, 2013 13:34:38 GMT
I throw out all my unused seeds every winter.
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 2, 2013 16:09:33 GMT
Auricula I'm sure someone would be happy to give them a go instead of you throwing them out. I've got seeds sown at the moment and germinated that are a couple of years old. However I do also have some that have'nt. It's always worth a go I think.
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Post by Auricula on Mar 2, 2013 16:16:54 GMT
I'm rubbish at seeds anyway Ladygardener and I'd be even worse should they be old  I put the old ones on the birdtable or in the compost.....you never know and it saves clutter in the greenhouse |
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 2, 2013 16:18:15 GMT
I have packets that are years old and realised that this year I bought some Hurst Greenshaft while I already have 2 packets. |
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Post by Auricula on Mar 2, 2013 16:20:19 GMT
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 2, 2013 16:22:45 GMT
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Post by florence on Mar 5, 2013 12:24:08 GMT
Another update. Had excellent germination on all varieties apart from the very oldest - Brigade,sow by 04 - which was nil. All others are growing away well.  Shame about the Brigade, it was a lovely big tomato with very few seeds. Haven't had a good search for it but its not in any catalogues that i have.  |
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TeeGee
Assistant Gardener
Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.
Posts: 218
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Post by TeeGee on Apr 1, 2013 14:32:17 GMT
I don't think you can kill tomato seeds when you consider you eat them, your digestive system can't digest them, and they can eventually produce good cropping plants on the drying beds on the sewage farm even after travelling miles down sewage pipes!
.......and they taste as good as those that came out of a packet!
All I find with older seeds is they may take a few days longer to germinate than fresh ones!
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Post by Rosefriend on Apr 1, 2013 14:56:28 GMT
One thing that I have noticed this year is that that the new toms seeds are failing and I am having to re-sow - whereas the old/older seeds are coming up trumps as usual!!
RF
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Post by Dutchy on Apr 2, 2013 7:41:12 GMT
Odd that.
The tom seeds you sent me must be old ones then as they all germinated and are growing away happily.
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 2, 2013 10:21:32 GMT
The ones you sent me are all doing fine Rosefriend I think the girls and I had 100% germination. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Apr 2, 2013 17:09:15 GMT
Odd that. The tom seeds you sent me must be old ones then as they all germinated and are growing away happily. The ones you sent me are all doing fine Rosefriend I think the girls and I had 100% germination. Pleased that they have done well for you both... RF |
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Post by Dutchy on Apr 4, 2013 8:15:48 GMT
They are at present sitting in a south facing window and all seem very happy. At least something is doing well despite the weather  |
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 13, 2014 16:41:40 GMT
I've seen somewhere someone was talking about doing a test with old seed (unless I've dreamt it)  Anyways I came across this today its veg but thought it might be useful www.gardenersworld.com/images/seed-club/GW-Seed-Club-keep-seed-factsheet.pdfTig posted this list previously on this thread which is great too Veg seed No of years Flower seed No of yearsAsparagus 3 Ageratum 4 Aubergine 5 Amaranthus 4-5 Beans 3 Anthemis 2 Beetroot 4 Anthirrhium 3-4 Broccoli 5 Calendula 5-6 Brussels sprouts 5 Celosia 4 Cabbage 4-5 Cineraria 3-4 Carrot 3-4 Clarkia 2-3 Cauliflower 4-5 Cosmos 3-4 Celeriac 5 Digitalis 2 Celery 5-6 Eschscholzia 3 Chicory 5 Gaillardia 2-3 Chinese cabbage 5 Godetia 3 Cucumber 5-6 Helianthus 2-3 Endive 3-4 Heliotrope 1-2 Fennel 4 Hollyhock 2-3 Kale 5 Impatiens 2 Kohl rabi 5 Larkspur 1-2 Leek 3 Linaria 3 Lettuce 4-5 Linum 1-2 Marrow 5-6 Lobelia 4 Melon 5 Marigold 2-3 Onion 1-2 Mesembryanthemum 3-4 Parsley 2-3 Myosotis 2 Parsnip 1-2 Nasturtium 5-7 Pea 3 Nicotiana 4-5 Pepper 4 Nigella 2 Pumpkin 4 Pansy 2 Radish 5 Petunia 2-3 Salsify 2 Phlox 2 Scorzonera 2 Salvia 1 Seakale 1-2 Schizanthus 4-5 Spinach 5 Sweet peas 2-3 Sweetcorn 1-2 Sweet William 2 Tomato 4 Viola 1 Turnip 5 Wallflower 4-5 Watercress 5 Zinnia 5-6 |
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 13, 2014 17:28:55 GMT
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). I used the same packet of ten week Stocks for 5 years running & only ran out last year & they always germinated.
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