seed longevity

I've just read in another thread that a member has germinated a packet of 5 year old achillea seed. Most companies display a use-by date on the packets but I have successfully germinated seeds of certain varieties which have exceeded it. I remember reading somewhere that a packet of tomato seeds which, it was claimed, were around 15 years old were found in a draw and then germinated successfully.
Does anybody have any tales to tell about long-lived seed? It would be interesting to know what can be saved from the leftovers which I, for one, usually have at the end of a season.

 

I read a book on seeds a while ago. In which it said that there was no scientific evidence of the germination of seeds from the pharoah's tombs - that was heresay. However there was evidence of the germination of seeds of about 300 years old, which were found in a drawer. But some varieties keep better than others.

I have also read that if you keep seeds at room temperature, the life may be from one to a few years, depending on the variety. If you keep seeds (in a sealed container) in the fridge, their lives may be tens of years, and that if you keep seeds in a freezer their lives may be hundreds of years. This is entirely logical. Seeds are organic like meat. Meat keeps best in a deep freeze, less well in the fridge and badly at room temperature.

The message I take from this is to keep all my old seed in a sealed contained in the fridge

 

A recent programme in the "New Year at Kew" series showed seeds germinating after being stored at room temperature in non-airtight packets since the early 19th century! Maybe the Beeb or Kew have something about it on their web sites. Percentage success rate wasn't wonderful - but they seemed to get some pretty heathy plants.

 

It probably depends also on the type of plant. Some seeds do not store at all and need to be sown fresh. Others, like desert plants, will store at high temperatures for years as long as they are kept dry.

Hyla arborea, I seem to remember that those seeds you mention were recently discovered in the pages of the Journal of an early 19th century plant hunter so yes, not ideal conditions but still some germinated.

 

I understand that some seeds do not keep and need to be sown fresh. Is there any common principle in this group, or do we have to remember each individual name.

 

I'm not one to keep seeds for long periods but I do know tomato seed is capable of growing at least 15yrs after the packet is opened as I've been growing from the same packet for years. :D
Other seed I find lose viability very quickly, some less than a year.
But I dont think there are any rules.

 

A wee bit off subject, but I read the other day that peppercorns keep their flavour indefinitely.

I have some red/pink peppercorns from the Schinus terebinthifolius, I think. It's a ferny-leafed tree with peppercorns in clusters. I have some if someone wants a go .. pete, strongy?

 

Pepper tree?
not doudting you LOL, but is it terebintifolius or molle.
I'd like some either way ,please, just for a trial.

 

i have sown seeds that I have had for 4-5 years, Germination is not great, but I do get some plants. Things like sweet corn, courgette, Hellebores. I personally never collect seed to save, I might save a few, but generally I sow immediately I collect. Plants know when the best time is for the seeds to go forth and multiply, so I just give them a hand.

DID YOU KNOW..........That dock is viable for 100yrs in the soil. :eek: