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Post by Spruance on Dec 15, 2006 11:27:01 GMT
If I happen to see any cheap seeds at the GC my common sense seems to disengage, and I am transformed into the little boy in the sweet shop.  In 1999, our local GC went into receivership, temporarily, before subsequently changing hands. At the time they were practically giving the seeds away, and I ended up with far more than I could cope with in a single season. This year for instance, I have just about used the last of the wallfowers. The stamp on the packet said something like 'packed in 1997 use by 1999'. All of the seed germinated and the plants look just as good as the new seed sown at the same time. These seeds haven't had any special treatment. They are just in my Seed Tin, which is actually an old biscuit tin that is no longer air tight. The one saving grace is that the seed was sealed inside foil packets. So, in 2007 a proportion of my wallfowers will have been harvested as seed from plants that grew in 1997! This has made me wonder what is the oldest seed that anyone has - successfully - grown? |
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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 15, 2006 11:43:45 GMT
Spruance, I always use up all my veg seeds (other than parsnip) before buying new. Toms seem to come up happily for at least 3 years.
But... many years ago when my parents moved from their Cambridge house to warden controlled I discovered packs of seed at least 10 years old. Can't remember what they were but I sowed them and they germinated.
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Post by Plocket on Dec 15, 2006 11:52:53 GMT
I haven't got a clue - I haven't been gardening for many years!!!
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Post by sweetleaf on Dec 15, 2006 12:23:12 GMT
I have successfully germinated carrot seed which was in a pack wedged inside my dads gardening encyclopaedia, a couple of years ago (dad has been dead 25 yrs) but they died not long after.  Scientists have grown ancient strains of wheat/barley? from temple jars found sealed inside the pyramids, proving seeds are in fact indestructible when stored at the correct temperature and humidity. |
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Post by sweetleaf on Dec 15, 2006 20:12:09 GMT
Ping! ;D
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Post by sweetleaf on Dec 18, 2006 22:43:11 GMT
Im quite sure most of you missed this. ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Dec 18, 2006 22:53:03 GMT
About 5 years ago I helped an elderly lady in the village clear out her old shed. She had seeds unopened dated between 1974 and 1976, Pansy, Allysum, Candy Tuft, Wall Flowers, Marigolds and loads of veg. She gave them to me bless her but I threw them away as they were so old. Wonder if they would have grown, the pkts were in good condition.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2006 6:51:15 GMT
Probably poppy seeds which I have collected from my own plants, which were about 3 years old.  Some seeds can remain dormant in the ground for over 40 years - but don't ask me which!! |
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Post by Chuckles on Dec 19, 2006 14:11:57 GMT
ooooh that's worth nowing Rita, I have some Poppy seeds a friend collected from her gdn several years ago that I've never sown. Will have to look them out |
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