I've been rearranging my house and I came across a half pound bag of Garden Pea Dual seeds from Gurney's, circa 2004/5. Is there anything I can do to maximixe viability?
Old Pea's
Most discussions about dry storage of pea seeds say that viablity is relatiely short - 3 to 4 years. Cold storage will protect them much longer. Several sources suggest priming -which I assume means soaking - wth distilled water. You might experiment with a few wrapped in damp cloth and stored in a plastic baggie - one sample at room temp and another in the fridge - sprouting should happen in about 3 days if it will do so at all.
http://www.actahort.org/books/517/517_16.htm
Yuska
Thank you! I will surely give that a shot!!!
I appreciate your response!
Sequee I wonder if a shot of bean innoculant might boost them? I have no idea whatsoever about the innoculant, just thought I'd mention it.
I can't imagine it would do anything for them as far as viability, but I do use it, so if it helps - that's an extra bouns! (And, of course, I will never now unless I do test groups, but then I'll have unprotected peas going in!)