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Seeds
KEEEF
Posts: 4
Just wondering!
I planted some double stock and Geranium seeds from packets that were 10 years out of date. They've germinated but seem to be very slow, almost stunted. I also have a bag of grass seed again been in storage for 10 years that I have just decided to use to 'Patch' a few areas.
Is this grass seed going to be viable or stunted?
I'm just wondering what's going to happen before it does or doesn't!!
0
Posts
So much depends on how it was stored. The germination rate is probably greatly reduced, and perhaps the quality of the seedling itself. My philosophy is just to sow it extra thick, and cross your fingers.
If you're curious, do a germination test. Put ten seeds (or if you want to be extremely thorough, 100 seeds) in a damp paper towel, and place that into a plastic bag kept somewhere comfortably at room temperature. If it's grass seed, it may need a bit of light to germinate(?) so a white paper towel on a windowsill may be best. Check them every few days, and count out the ones that have germinated. That will give you a percentage.
lettuce sown this spring from 23 yr old seeds. 4 packs of mixed seeds so germination probably about 20% and mostly one kind although there are a few oakleaf in there. germination was very slow-more than a month. on the other hand 23 yr old beet seeds had very high germination rate-i guess beets are eternal.
It does seem to vary with different types of seed. Parsnips have notoriously poor germination rates once they're more than a season or two old. I've also found that stored grass seed has poor germination, no matter how well it's been stored. Tomato seed (if properly harvested and stored) seems to be viable for ever.
Doing a germination test is a very good idea before you waste compost, energy and time.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.