Seed Germination experiment

**Lee** · February 8, 2024

My son and I did a seed germination experiment last Fall, and I wanted to share the data with the group here.
We grew out 10 seeds of 2 varieties in 2 different trays.
One variety was Cuostralee and the other was Orange Heirloom.
Both were varieties of seed that I have saved since 2003.

The table below shows data from the 2009 seed and later. Prior dated seed did not germinate.
I did not have saved seed for either variety in 2016 or 2017.

The data interestingly shows the longevity of my saved seeds is around 10 years for near total germination and rapidly drops off to 0 germination after 13 years.

I was surprised that the germination of 10 year old seed was still near 100%.
I was also surprised how quickly the seed lost viability after that time.

Let me know if you have any questions/comments about the data.

Lee

Seed....#.......#
Year.... Germ Planted Germination %
2023... 36.... 40...... 90.00%
2022... 20.... 20...... 100.00%
2021... 20.... 20...... 100.00%
2020... 20.... 20...... 100.00%
2019... 37.... 40...... 92.50%
2018... 38.... 40...... 95.00%
2015... 19.... 20...... 95.00%
2014... 35.... 40...... 87.50%
2013... 39.... 40...... 97.50%
2012... 29.... 40...... 72.50%
2011... 16.... 40...... 40.00%
2010... 6...... 20...... 30.00%
2009... 0...... 20...... 0.00%

February 8, 2024	#1
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Seed Germination experiment My son and I did a seed germination experiment last Fall, and I wanted to share the data with the group here. We grew out 10 seeds of 2 varieties in 2 different trays. One variety was Cuostralee and the other was Orange Heirloom. Both were varieties of seed that I have saved since 2003. The table below shows data from the 2009 seed and later. Prior dated seed did not germinate. I did not have saved seed for either variety in 2016 or 2017. The data interestingly shows the longevity of my saved seeds is around 10 years for near total germination and rapidly drops off to 0 germination after 13 years. I was surprised that the germination of 10 year old seed was still near 100%. I was also surprised how quickly the seed lost viability after that time. Let me know if you have any questions/comments about the data. Lee Seed....#.......# Year.... Germ Planted Germination % 2023... 36.... 40...... 90.00% 2022... 20.... 20...... 100.00% 2021... 20.... 20...... 100.00% 2020... 20.... 20...... 100.00% 2019... 37.... 40...... 92.50% 2018... 38.... 40...... 95.00% 2015... 19.... 20...... 95.00% 2014... 35.... 40...... 87.50% 2013... 39.... 40...... 97.50% 2012... 29.... 40...... 72.50% 2011... 16.... 40...... 40.00% 2010... 6...... 20...... 30.00% 2009... 0...... 20...... 0.00% __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.