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Originally Posted by MsCowpea

Here is how the C. Rick Tomato Genetics Research Center
treats old seeds or seeds that are difficult to geminate. They use bleach.

http://tgrc.ucdavis.edu/seed_germ.aspx

Very interesting, I copied the article for reference. I often have a 10+ year old packet of commercial seeds that I wish to re-grow for fresh seeds. Normally, they may just take longer to germinate, like 10-21 days. I will have to do a side by side of bleach vs blue fert soak and see if it makes a difference in speed and percentage. Last year I had some 17 year old Brandywine Yellow from the original TGS envelope, seeded the rest of the packet, maybe 18 seeds. I kept 4 plants that came up fairly early, but many more straggled in late. Did not keep a total count, since I didn't need more.