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Seeds late developers

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Plants
You know when you sow some seeds - the same in every way not even different in colour? There's always one of two that come up later than the rest. Are the plants from these seeds likely to be weaker? 
In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    The plant 'hedges its bets' by having offspring that germinate over a period so that if the first are killed by frost or the last by drought, there will still be some that survive. Seeds are not genetically identical, this is why you are seeing the variation. It doesn't mean that the final ones will necessarily be weaker--it's just the best way for the plant to reproduce in a way that adapts to variable local conditions/ changing climate.
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    @Cambridgerose12 would that be the same for shop bought seeds rather than fresh seeds?
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    Yes, though if the seeds have been wrongly stored they might not be viable any longer. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    That makes sense @Cambridgerose12. When I'm thinking out, I won't always go for the late arrivals. Thank you 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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