1996 or older seeds - amazing germination results...

Tania · January 31, 2007

...when the seeds are properly stored! 8)

Got some varieties from a fellow tomatoviallian, who got them from 1997 SSE Yearbook... The seeds were stored away in sealed packages, very neatly, with nice labels ...

As with any other older seeds, I thought I'd start 4 times more seeds than I need, and I'd start them 3 weeks earlier than usual, to give them enough time to germinate...

So I did...

To my huge surprize, the seeds started to sprout on the 5th day, and on 7th day I have more than 50% germination rate - now I am not sure what I am going to do with all the extra seedlings!

Amazing what the proper storage can do to seeds longevity - I am sure some of these seeds are more than 10 years old.

For comparison, some more resent seeds (i.e. 2004 or 2005) take more than 7 days to sprout... Yes, I tried that side-by-side with the older seeds, with the same soiless mix and under the same conditions. No special treatment was given to seeds - other than I watered the mix with hot water prior to putting seeds there, and I didn't cover seeds with soil until they sprouted.

This is what the varieties are:

Gillogly Pink
Purple Brandy
Tom Patti's Italian Paste
Lenny and Gracies Kentucky Heirloom, Red
Reif Italian Heart
Aker's West Virginia

So, I think I'll be offering the seedlings to the local tomato growers (since I am going to have too many of them for myself) - I'll appreciate help raising them :wink:

Zana · January 31, 2007

Wow! Great and interesting results on older seeds. Wish I lived closer. :wink:

I'm going to do some checking through older stock I have and do some germination tests. You've inspired me to see what I can get out of the older stored seed stock I already have, before going after new ones. Thanks for putting the thought into my head. Good luck with your seedlings.

rxkeith · January 31, 2007

the oldest seeds i have are my uncle steve italian plum tomato. seeds saved in 1993 wrapped in aluminum foil and kept in the basement still germinate about 70% with or without soaking overnight. what i have observed however is increased defects in some of the cotyledons, so the number of healthy plants has decreased. i'll try them again this year. maybe hold a few back for 2013 when they're 20 yrs old. i have faith in a seed.

keith in calumet

January 31, 2007	#1
Tania Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anmore, BC, Canada Posts: 3,970	1996 or older seeds - amazing germination results... ...when the seeds are properly stored! 8) Got some varieties from a fellow tomatoviallian, who got them from 1997 SSE Yearbook... The seeds were stored away in sealed packages, very neatly, with nice labels ... As with any other older seeds, I thought I'd start 4 times more seeds than I need, and I'd start them 3 weeks earlier than usual, to give them enough time to germinate... So I did... To my huge surprize, the seeds started to sprout on the 5th day, and on 7th day I have more than 50% germination rate - now I am not sure what I am going to do with all the extra seedlings! Amazing what the proper storage can do to seeds longevity - I am sure some of these seeds are more than 10 years old. For comparison, some more resent seeds (i.e. 2004 or 2005) take more than 7 days to sprout... Yes, I tried that side-by-side with the older seeds, with the same soiless mix and under the same conditions. No special treatment was given to seeds - other than I watered the mix with hot water prior to putting seeds there, and I didn't cover seeds with soil until they sprouted. This is what the varieties are: Gillogly Pink Purple Brandy Tom Patti's Italian Paste Lenny and Gracies Kentucky Heirloom, Red Reif Italian Heart Aker's West Virginia So, I think I'll be offering the seedlings to the local tomato growers (since I am going to have too many of them for myself) - I'll appreciate help raising them :wink: __________________ Tatiana's TOMATObase

January 31, 2007	#2
Zana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,521	Wow! Great and interesting results on older seeds. Wish I lived closer. :wink: I'm going to do some checking through older stock I have and do some germination tests. You've inspired me to see what I can get out of the older stored seed stock I already have, before going after new ones. Thanks for putting the thought into my head. Good luck with your seedlings.

January 31, 2007	#3
rxkeith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Back in da U.P. Posts: 1,839	the oldest seeds i have are my uncle steve italian plum tomato. seeds saved in 1993 wrapped in aluminum foil and kept in the basement still germinate about 70% with or without soaking overnight. what i have observed however is increased defects in some of the cotyledons, so the number of healthy plants has decreased. i'll try them again this year. maybe hold a few back for 2013 when they're 20 yrs old. i have faith in a seed. keith in calumet