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How long can you store tomato seeds?

EustaceEustace Posts: 2,290
in Fruit & veg
Hi all,

I recently found a packet of BBC Dig-In (http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/digin/) Gardener''s Delight tomato seeds and sowed them a week ago in a small pot on my windowsill. They are from 2009; so I didn't think that they would germinate. However, I see that they have quite high germination rate; probably more than 75% :-) The seedlings look okay, though a bit leggy. Hope they'll survive this early start as I don't normally sow tomatoes this early due to the lack of a greenhouse.

I am keen to hear from other forumers their experiences with old seed. TIA.

Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I have sown tomato seeds harvested at least 16 years previously with high germination rates. If stored in dry conditions tomato seeds appear to go on for ever 🍅 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I used a packet of Roma over the course of 20 years,  still all germinated. 
    I will have the latest packet forever there’s 140 seeds in the packet!  They were only 99p though. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    I sowed lettuce seeds from 2010 last winter indoors and whilst they were slow to germinate we now have a great fresh crop that we keep cutting from.
  • healthexperts919healthexperts919 Posts: 12
    Packets do come with their own expiry date too. Just in case, if it doesn't germinate well. I think you are right but could stay intact for a long period of time. It makes me think its like a crisp or a fresh biscuit. If it is in a pack it stays fresh, the moment it is open it goes soft in few days.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I found this in my downloaded pictures but unfortunately can't remember where I found it. 

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    In my new stone wall I am putting a time capsule which could easily remain untouched for 100 years. In it, most helpfully supplied by Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, are vacuum sealed native wild flower seeds. Come back to this site in late Spring 2121 and ask again.
    Rutland, England
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