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Post by andy on Dec 31, 2010 11:34:28 GMT
Got loads of opened, half used seeds...both flower and veg which have been left in the greenhouse since last spring. The greenhouse is unheated. Would they still be any good ? Ta  |
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Post by Barbara on Dec 31, 2010 13:05:13 GMT
They are Probably be OK Andy, on GW they tell you to keep seeds in the fridge.
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 31, 2010 13:20:52 GMT
I have mine in the PC room in a box next to the radiator....yep totally wrong place but I now have over 200 packets of seeds and I reckon some could be around 5 years old....I tend to do a bit of guerilla gardening around the village when things get too much and I am amazed how long seeds stay viable for....
Mind you Andy - you do realise that the seeds that you really want will not germinate....sod's law!!
RF
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Post by Tig on Jan 1, 2011 0:57:07 GMT
I reckon it depends what seeds you've got Andy. I have found some seeds have a short shelf life whilst others are indestructable (like weeds!) Most don't like to get damp, then warm, then damp. So if you've had very fluctuating temperatures where they've been stored that could have killed them off. Constant temperatures and low humidity seems to be the key to making them last, I have watched quite a few progs where they've showed the seed bank at Kew and they keep theirs cool and dry, but that is to keep them for decades rather than a year or two past their best. I'll try to grow anything from seed, just for the fun of it, and you can share what results you get so that others can learn from your experience x Tig |
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 4, 2011 10:54:01 GMT
Cool and dry is best Andy. As long as they haven't got damp in the GH they should be ok, I'm sure you'd be able to tell if they had.
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Post by andy on Jan 4, 2011 13:35:46 GMT
Just been and had a look and think the mice may have got in. I'll take the seeds to work and see if anyone wants to try them
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Post by andy on Jan 4, 2011 16:14:56 GMT
just an update on that....doesn't look like it is mice....it could be slugs just eating the packets as no seeds have been eaten and that includes beans, peas, courgettes, cucumbers and loads more
;D ;D ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 4, 2011 21:42:43 GMT
I've had that happen Andy, they nibble a layer of the paper off where they slither across the packet ;D
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Post by Dutchy on Jan 5, 2011 7:59:51 GMT
Ah yes that what to do with sensation. Any lettuce will be past it and carrots too do not like being past their date but most others still seem to work.
Said the lady with old SP that did nothing last year but she is despite that trying them again.... you never know ;D
And as for storage... the dry bit worked but there is a central heating pipe running through the cupboard.
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