Seed how long

There's an easy way to determine how viable your saved seed is and what percentage of it you can expect to germinate. Moisten a sheet of paper towel so that it's uniformly damp, but not dripping wet. Place the 10 seeds in a row along the damp paper towel.

Roll or fold the paper towel around the seeds so that they are covered. Place the paper towel with the seeds into the plastic bag and seal it. If you are testing more than one type of seed, also label the bag with the seed type and variety. Check daily to be sure the paper towel does not dry out. Start checking for germination in about five days. To do this, gently unroll the paper towel. You may even be able to see sprouting through the rolled towel.

Very often the roots will grow right through it. Check your seed packet for average germination times for your particular seed, but generally, 7—10 days should be enough time for the test. After 10 days, unroll the paper towel and count how many seeds have sprouted. This will give you the percentage germination you can expect from the remaining seeds in the packet. I store in tins with tight lids and add silica packs rcvd with supplements, etc. Some are stored in refrig which assume significantly prolongs viability.

Storage matters a lot — just as with seafood! Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar. Related post: Unusual cucumbers How long do seeds last? Comments An interesting note, although I think from past experience I would rearrange several things on your list…. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.

Disclosure Policy Privacy Policy. The Israeli team say the age of the date palm seed was verified by radio carbon dating. But it's not the only ancient seed to have germinated: in the mids, a Chinese lotus plant grew from a seed that was dated at around 1, years. Then the seed is kept at C. The only way to check how long seeds really survive is to plant them in a few hundred years' time.

Just be sure to water it when the soil feels dry. If your plant has more than one stem, it could be divided. If the new growth is lanky it indicates that the plant is not getting enough light. If you need to winter it over in the house, place it in the coolest room near the brightest window.

I occasionally wrestle my plant into the tub and turn on the shower to give it a good taste of rain. Misting will also help to hydrate the plant and discourage pests from setting up camp.

Skip to main content. You are here Gardening Advice. How Long Do Seeds Last? By Robin Sweetser. February 8, Robin Sweetser. How long do garden seeds last?

How do you tell if your old seeds are still good? About This Blog. Related Articles Vegetables Planting Seeds. What do you want to read next? Starting Seeds Indoors: How and How to Save Vegetable Seeds. Houseplant Care Guide. Sowing Seeds in the Vegetable When to Plant Flowers. Vegetable Gardening for Beginners.