floating okra seeds (are they viable)

I am planting a different variety of okra today (other than what I already have planted). However, when I soaked my seeds, I noticed about half of them floating. I can't recall ever seeing this many okra seeds float before. I only have a very limited number of these seeds and I just want to know if these floating okra seeds will germinate? Thanks for the responses.

I saw that no one has responded to your question yet. In my experience, the float test only works for some seeds. Here is a link from an earlier message that explains.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4598005

I've copied the text here, since not all forums are accessible to users of the Beginner Vegetables forum.

SeedyMaz wrote:
Hi Folks!


There is a difference between 'wet' seed & 'dry' seed. (Tropical seeds, especially fruits, are a separate category entirely, and not covered in the following comments)

Wet seed is mature and harvested when it is still in a moist environment eg Chillies, tomatoes, pumpkins, melons etc. These seeds can be safely graded by the float test, before they have started to dry out (tomatoes & cucumbers are an exception ~ they need to be fermented for 2~3 days first). In float testing, all that sinks will be viable, any that floats may be viable, and the floaters will include any that aren't.

Dry seed is that which is harvested when in a dry state ~ almost all herbs & flowers, beans, peas, Cabbage family, grains, lettuce, celery etc. Testing dry seed by the float method is extremely unreliable and of itself, likely to damage seed.

Deterioration in viability is accelerated by 5 factors ~ moisture, oxygen, heat, light and large fluctuations in temperature. By far the greatest damage is caused by the presence of moisture, especially in the presence of oxygen, as it fosters mould, bacterial growth and seed stress ~ the presence of moisture is like sleep deprivation ~ the seed is 'awake' to the prospect of germination and is not completely dormant.

The accepted procedure for testing seed viability is by germination ~ take say 25 or 50 seed, lay on some paper towelling, cover with more sheets, and moisten. keep in an open plastic bag in a warm (not hot) place with the bag at a slant so that it can drain (not get stagnant). Use a mister to spray the paper towelling to keep moist not wet. Each week for 4 weeks, count & remove the seed which has sprouted. Record results. After 28 days, add the numbers and calculate the total as a fraction of the 25 or 50 you started with. Multiply by 4 or 2, as appropriate, to get a % germination rate.

Personally I don't like to test viability till the season is right for planting, then the removed germinated seed can be planted rather than wasted.

To conserve the greatest seed viability over the longest time possible, seed should be harvested when ripe, (or slightly earlier if rains etc are likely to cause premature sprouting, rotting or mould). Seed should then be dried in a preferably warm and well vetilated situation (eg in seives suspended in mesh freezer baskets etc), large open containers or open paper bags ~ with the latter 2 options check & move seed / pod carrying stems, around to ensure nothing stays wet. Once dry, separate seed from extraneous plant material, pods, chaff etc & dry further, if you can, using redried silica gel in an airtight container. (Don't forget to label & note date of harvest). Once thoroughly dry, package, label & store in a cool, dry, airtight container with fresh silica gel.

All other things being equal, seed viability varies markedly according to species ~ Violet seed has a maximum viability of about 1 week, whereas corn/maize can last from 2 to 10 years, depending on the variety,

Some excellent sources of information can be found at:

http://savingourseed.org/index.html

http://homepage.tinet.ie/~merlyn/seedsaving.html#section0

http://www.seedsavers.org/index.html

Hope that helps folks!


SeedyMaz, Australia