15 year old seed - beginner's luck!

gryffin · February 1, 2012

I just finished a germination test on some Kotlas seed that I purchased for the 1997 season from Johnny's. I was thrilled to get 90% germination! I didn't expect success, but didn't want to dispose of the seed without trying. I'll plant out this year and save fresh seed.

I had similar good luck with a packet of radishes and a packet of melons from the same year. The lettuce however was a complete failure. I'm continuing through my old seed collection, testing a few varieties at a time as I make my grow list for 2012.

Just wanted to share as no one in my "normal life" shares my enthusiasm.

dott22 · February 1, 2012

Hey that's great! I've also had pretty good luck with old tomato seeds.

It's funny you also mention radish seeds. I haven't bought or planted radishes for quite a few years. I planted a batch of Bright Lights swiss chard a few weeks back and somehow had a radish come up along with the chard. The radish must have been 5 or more years old, perhaps as old as 10 years -- and the Lord only knows how they got in there. But, it sprouted...

kath · February 1, 2012

Glad to hear you are having such great germination after all. Last year I used up the last of the Space spinach that I'd ordered in bulk from Johnny's in 1998 that had been stored in a jar in the basement. It certainly pays to try out old seed before tossing it just because of the date on the package.

February 1, 2012	#1
gryffin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 229	15 year old seed - beginner's luck! I just finished a germination test on some Kotlas seed that I purchased for the 1997 season from Johnny's. I was thrilled to get 90% germination! I didn't expect success, but didn't want to dispose of the seed without trying. I'll plant out this year and save fresh seed. I had similar good luck with a packet of radishes and a packet of melons from the same year. The lettuce however was a complete failure. I'm continuing through my old seed collection, testing a few varieties at a time as I make my grow list for 2012. Just wanted to share as no one in my "normal life" shares my enthusiasm.

February 1, 2012	#2
dott22 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 19	Hey that's great! I've also had pretty good luck with old tomato seeds. It's funny you also mention radish seeds. I haven't bought or planted radishes for quite a few years. I planted a batch of Bright Lights swiss chard a few weeks back and somehow had a radish come up along with the chard. The radish must have been 5 or more years old, perhaps as old as 10 years -- and the Lord only knows how they got in there. But, it sprouted...

February 1, 2012	#3
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Glad to hear you are having such great germination after all. Last year I used up the last of the Space spinach that I'd ordered in bulk from Johnny's in 1998 that had been stored in a jar in the basement. It certainly pays to try out old seed before tossing it just because of the date on the package.