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How many years to keep flower seeds?

14 years ago

I seem to make a habit of buying commercial flower seeds and than not get around to planting them. I was sorting some old seed packages and realized some were dated 2002. These include nasturtium, Calif. poppy, nemesia, asclepias, linum lewesii, etc. Should I consider these seeds to be too old to germinate properly and just throw them out? What is your experience with old(er) seeds?

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Comments (2)

digdirt2
14 years ago
How long they remain viable all depends on how they were stored. With proper storage - cool and dry - they can remain viable for many years. Germination rates fall off gradually but many will still have a 50% germination rate even after 10 years - some varieties even longer.

You can always do the standard germination test on them to see if they are worth keeping or just do as most of us do - plant them anyway and see what happens. ;)

Dave
ontnative
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for your advice, Dave. I think I will try planting them this year and see what happens.
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Seed storage question

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