Trouble with Pelleted Seeds

Greatgardens · January 28, 2017

I've noticed that when seeds are planted the same year as packaged, that pelleted seeds germinate essentially as well as uncoated seeds. But by the 2nd year they start having a difficult time getting through the pellets. I'm referring to lettuce and carrot seeds. Anyone else notice this? This year Im going to try nicking the pellets and see if that helps. I also might try soaking them in water overnight before planting. Any other ideas?
-GG

BigVanVader · January 30, 2017

Yes pelleted seeds are typically only reliable for 1 season. I would just use them all now and take the ones that germinate, probably not worth bothering with the rest IMO.

AlittleSalt · January 30, 2017

It happens with tomato seeds too. I bought Green Zebra and Old German pelleted seeds. I won't do it again.

Keiththibodeaux · January 31, 2017

It seems that soaking would help

weaselbean · February 11, 2017

Lettuce seed typically is not viable for very long. Not sure about carrots. I cant see why coated tomato seeds would not last as long as noncoated, but what do I know. I've got 50 big boys from Home Depot coated this year and I'm not going to throw out what I don't use .

January 28, 2017	#1
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	Trouble with Pelleted Seeds I've noticed that when seeds are planted the same year as packaged, that pelleted seeds germinate essentially as well as uncoated seeds. But by the 2nd year they start having a difficult time getting through the pellets. I'm referring to lettuce and carrot seeds. Anyone else notice this? This year Im going to try nicking the pellets and see if that helps. I also might try soaking them in water overnight before planting. Any other ideas? -GG

February 11, 2017	#5
weaselbean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: nc Posts: 57	Lettuce seed typically is not viable for very long. Not sure about carrots. I cant see why coated tomato seeds would not last as long as noncoated, but what do I know. I've got 50 big boys from Home Depot coated this year and I'm not going to throw out what I don't use . Last edited by weaselbean; February 11, 2017 at 01:25 PM.

January 30, 2017	#2
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Yes pelleted seeds are typically only reliable for 1 season. I would just use them all now and take the ones that germinate, probably not worth bothering with the rest IMO.

January 30, 2017	#3
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	It happens with tomato seeds too. I bought Green Zebra and Old German pelleted seeds. I won't do it again.

January 31, 2017	#4
Keiththibodeaux Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 587	It seems that soaking would help