Tomatoville® Gardening Forums - View Single Post

gryffin · February 12, 2012

I have some old tomato seeds that I did not store carefully- they've moved with me several times- and have lived in basements, and on shelves in closets. I have recently test germinated 3 packets and got 90% germination in less than 1 week using the paper towel method, here are the varieties, sources and age:

Reif Red Heart 1997 Johnny's
Kotlas 1997 Johnny's
Grandma Mary's Paste 1997 Fedco (still one seed in the paper towel- not giving up yet since 3 germinated this morning)

Tomato seeds seem to be pretty hardy! This has not been the case for other types of veggies. I had 0% germination on broccoli, lettuce, cucumbers and winter squash from the same sources and ages. Other veggies which have germinated well are peas (100%), beans (90%), radish (90%). It's been an interesting experiment so far!

February 12, 2012	#12
gryffin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 229	I have some old tomato seeds that I did not store carefully- they've moved with me several times- and have lived in basements, and on shelves in closets. I have recently test germinated 3 packets and got 90% germination in less than 1 week using the paper towel method, here are the varieties, sources and age: Reif Red Heart 1997 Johnny's Kotlas 1997 Johnny's Grandma Mary's Paste 1997 Fedco (still one seed in the paper towel- not giving up yet since 3 germinated this morning) Tomato seeds seem to be pretty hardy! This has not been the case for other types of veggies. I had 0% germination on broccoli, lettuce, cucumbers and winter squash from the same sources and ages. Other veggies which have germinated well are peas (100%), beans (90%), radish (90%). It's been an interesting experiment so far!