Help me know ...

... how long seeds can be stored and still be viable. I refer to Morning Glory seeds, Datura, annuals/perennials. I have got quite a few seeds from trades and have no time to sow them nor it is the right time now for that. Seeds sent to me last August -- will they be viable when I sow them this June? Have kept them in the same little envelopes as the sender.

Dinu

Much depends on the species and storage conditions. In most cases, properly stored seed will cope with a year (some plants, Parsnips are one, only last 1 year).

Most seed need to be stored in a dry place and preferably with a constant cool temperature. Plants have been grown from seeds found in the Pyramids of Egypt (which offer great storage conditions) but even good storage won't stop the seeds slowly losing viability as time goes on.

I can't speak specifically for MGs or Datura but I'm sure someone can give you good advice for them.

Even if seeds lose some of their viability, you can still get plants. The germination rate is lessened as storage is prolonged...but usually all of the seeds won't die at once. What will happen, is if you have a 95% germination rate the first year, you will have a lower percentage each following year.

Some seeds, as Baa pointed out, will need to be planted right away, others have a fair germination rate for several years.

I have beans, peppers,squash and tomatoes that I've found to lose very little germination percentage for up to 5 years. Individual species have different requirements though.

Cool and dry are the most important things you can do to prolong viability. Refrigeration in a closed jsr with silica gel packs helps for lots of stuff.

Thanks Baa and melody. Those are some useful tips. To some of the seeds, I will try and "borrow" some space (of course from my DW) in the refrigerator!!

Speaking of pyramids, it is said that fruits and vegetables stay much longer under a pyramid. Someone experimented on dry cells and found it re-charged to some extent! It has been successfully experimented on people too - for various things. It is an interesting thing. Even for drinking water-- a glass of water kept under a pyramid (perfectly made for that purpose from paper) has a lot of benefits on health. There is a formula for making these pyramids and I think I have it somewhere.