Propagation: How to test year old seeds for viability - newbie question!, 0 by

wrote:
I just tested some perennial flower seeds I had collected from my plants in 2006. The perennnial is Centaurea macrocephala. Germination time is 5 to 10 days.

I cut a kitchen paper towel in half. Wet it with tap water and squeezed out the extra moisture. Folded it in half and placed 10 seeds in the center. Then I folded one end over them and stuck the whole thing in a baggie. It took 5 days for them to germinate. Out of the 10 seeds, 7 germinated. More may have, had I left them.

I should have added that these seeds didn't need stratification to germinate. Had they needed that, I would have placed the baggie in the frig for the recommended time.

I just potted them up today to bring to my daughters house since she has a sunroom.

Here is a photo to show a few just before potting up. As you can see, these old seeds are very much alive.

I'm testing other seeds with the same method. Seeds can last for years if properly stored.

This message was edited Feb 23, 2009 10:12 PM