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Testing old seeds for viability🌱

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
edited April 2020 in The potting shed
During another sleepless night, my thoughts turned to my seed tin and how many  of the seeds might be viable. After extensive research in my head, and with limited access to the memory banks, I came up with the following ideas and questions:

Peas and the like: I seem to remember that these can be tested using the witch trial method. If they float,they're dead - if they sink, they're ok.

Medium seeds - put on damp paper towel and see if they sprout

Small seeds as above, but to avoid damaging them by scraping off, sow attached to a bit of paper.

Questions
1. Would this work for tiny seeds? 
2. Can seeds tell if it's dark? Silly question probably, but it makes a difference as to whether or not to put them in a cupboard to simulate being under soil.

Comments and suggestions would be appreciated - even if they're stupid ideas!
In London. Keen but lazy.
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Posts

  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    B3 said:

    2. Can seeds tell if it's dark? Silly question probably, but it makes a difference as to whether or not to put them in a cupboard to simulate being under soil.

    Comments and suggestions would be appreciated - even if they're stupid ideas!
    Well often advice suggests some seeds need light to germinate so you'd have to assume they have been trialed. It does seem to be quite sophisticated for something so small but then seeds are, amazing really.

    I tried to grow basil from seed in the past without much success. I was doing as I did with most seeds, just a light cover of soil, a water , into the sun and keep the soil moist. It was suggested  that they require dark, heat and minimal water. So I covered the pot with a plastic bag after a light misting, then a  black sock after that and they grew. The black sock isn't a requirement 😁
  • SkylarksSkylarks Posts: 379
    edited April 2020
    The kitchen towel is a good method. I sprouted my mange tout peas by soaking them for 24 hours, then placed them between wet kitchen towel folded over. A friend recommended it as he had almost 100 percent germination rate using this method. 

    You could also put some seeds in the freezer for a couple of days to mimic winter. This seemed to work my the wild strawberry seeds I had. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    It's certainly worth a try @Skylarks
    @Astro. Plenty of black socks here!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • SkylarksSkylarks Posts: 379
    It would be interesting to see if the witches 🧙‍♀️ method works as well. Be great if you could test it out and report back if it works.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have no bother sowing Basil. I've just sown some and it's germinating now. Warmth and light for me every time, as it replicates it's natural environment.
    A plastic lid on the pot, and on the kitchen windowsill, and it happens quickly. Rarely needs any additional moisture because of the lid, and once germinated , that comes off, and it gets watered when necessary.
    We still have the heating on each morning and often through the day/evening, unless it's sunny. The radiator is below that sill. Heat is the key factor for it, and not sowing too early. That only makes it more difficult for germination  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    @Fairygirl thanks for that I want to grow more herbs this year but never had any luck with basil will try more heat. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited April 2020
    @debs64 - the secret is to wait  ;)
    Even indoors, I can't sow stuff as early as the info suggests. I experimented with some basil end of last year, to see what would happen. Just one little pot, as I would normally do, and two seeds germinated. That's obviously with the heating on regularly.
    The ones I've done recently are probably getting roughly the same amount of heat, but more through the day when there's  sun , and they have a lot more light. I can already see about half a dozen emerging  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    @Fairygirl that’s probably where I went wrong I am trying hard to cultivate patience in gardening but it’s difficult I am a very impatient person. I will try to sow some and leave them alone. Thanks 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Sow a wee pot - then do another in a couple of weeks @debs64.
    Keep a note of how long they take to come through, and then it'll give you an idea of the best time to do them  :)
    I do a few pots, and then split them up and repot the clumps. About three clumps from a 3 or 4 inch pot. That gives you a succession too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    These are the  ones I'll try.
    Haven't been through the veg properly yet.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
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