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SueCT · March 20, 2019

I had been planting 3 per cup, and a good number would only have 2 of the 3 come up, overall about 80-90% germination, with poorer results from older seeds. Once seeds get to 5 years old or more I would sometimes go for 4. The problem is space. Fewer seeds per cup means more cups to plant and more space needed. They probably would grow faster, but would they stay healthier until transplanting? I might try just a few, and mark them so I know if there was much difference. I usally plant 3 cups of each variety, so I might do 1/3 with the potting soil in the bottom. You make me think twice about it, so I won't go with the majority of them that way.

March 20, 2019	#5
SueCT Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,460	I had been planting 3 per cup, and a good number would only have 2 of the 3 come up, overall about 80-90% germination, with poorer results from older seeds. Once seeds get to 5 years old or more I would sometimes go for 4. The problem is space. Fewer seeds per cup means more cups to plant and more space needed. They probably would grow faster, but would they stay healthier until transplanting? I might try just a few, and mark them so I know if there was much difference. I usally plant 3 cups of each variety, so I might do 1/3 with the potting soil in the bottom. You make me think twice about it, so I won't go with the majority of them that way.