Tragedy!!!

[shlacm]

I started a few seeds - about a dozen varieties - a week ago and NONE have sprouted!!! The seeds are from multiple sources: trades, commercial, & saved. Last night I started a germination test (paper towel & bag method) on about 30 tomato varieties and 10 non-tomatoes. But I have never had a problem with starting seeds so I am fearing the worst!!! I have seeds for around 200 tomato varieties - some which were NOT easy to get ahold of, and a couple which are irreplaceable - and about 20 non-tomatoes!!!

What could have possibly happened in less than a year?!?!? How hot would they have had to get to kill ALL my seeds? I know it wasn't cold because the few I started last spring were fine. We had that freak weather event in July that resulted in a week long power outage during a week of record highs.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[amideutch]

Only a week. To early to panic. Where were your seeds stored when you had your power outage? Ami

[shlacm]

Originally Posted by amideutch

Only a week. To early to panic. Where were your seeds stored when you had your power outage? Ami

I don't remember.

I have moved twice in the past 8 months. They have been in many places during that time, but I have tried. to be careful with them. My fear is that I may have left them in a hot car or something. The majority of the seeds are in plastic bags, many are only in paper envelopes.

[GnomeGrown]

Patience

[shlacm]

Thanks! It is reassuring that others think it's too soon to panic! I'm used to the SLOWEST seeds taking 7-10 days! So for NOT ONE single seed to have sprouted at the 7 day mark...! Especially since many of these were the last of certain varieties... and if something catastrophic did happen to ALL my seed, I don't even have anything left to offer for trade! I cannot even imagine how much it would cost just to replace the "important" varieties.

So, I must endeavor to be patient... I sure am glad I started EARLY!

[Doug9345]

My guess is if they where within your living space and you where able to stay alive most likely they would be able to also. If I remember correctly hot water treatment is 122ºF for 10 minutes. It does reduce germination some but kills certain seed born diseases. I'm beginning to believe moisture content as much to do with seed longevity as does temperature.

Little changes i germination temperature will make several days difference in how quickly seeds sprout.

[shlacm]

I wish I could use the search feature on this forum! ((no internet yet at my new place so I can only get online with my phone & for some strange reason every time I try to search, I get bumped out of the search box as soon as I type the first letter))

[Doug9345]

I'm sure we can take up a collection if you have lost all your seed for some reason.

[shlacm]

Originally Posted by Doug9345

I'm sure we can take up a collection if you have lost all your seed for some reason.

Thanks for that reassurance. It's "funny" that the seeds I feel worst about are the ones from others here at T'ville! I feel GUILTY for not being a better steward!!! The seeds I purchased over 3 yrs time from many sources represent a significant (for me) financial investment! But if they are ALL ruined, it is the generosity of so many kind "tomato people" that makes me want to cry!
I even have seeds from Carolyn's give-away two years ago!!! And the dwarf project!!! (though those may not be wanted at this point anyway) I look at my treasure trove of seeds, and the individual groups of gifted and traded seeds and have such fond memories of the members they are from.

[kath]

I agree that it's WAY too soon to be sure all the seeds have been ruined. Just keep planting and give the seeds the best conditions possible for germination, sowing more heavily than you've done before and planting a bit earlier. I've had tomato seeds that took over 3 weeks to sprout and still produced fine plants with lots of fruit.

[Doug9345]

Last year my shortest was 4 days my longest to FIRST sprout was 29 days. If you are only planting a couple of seeds at a time there are many times you could pick two bad seeds together.

[ginger2778]

Are you using a heat mat? Did you check to see how high it's temperature was, (too hot )? That has been known to spoil more than one person's attempts at germination.
Marsha

[Sun City Linda]

Well, the older they get, the longer they seem to take. Maybe heat has the same effect. Is there any chance the planting mix or water vessel you used were contaminated? Some of my Tomato seed goes back to early 2000 and has not been stored under the best of conditions, been thru several moves also. I think mater seeds at least must be pretty tough!

[ChrisK]

Tomato seeds are quite hardy. I have some over a decade old that have been carted all over the country that still germinate. They've never been stored in anything but whatever the ambient temp and humidity happens to be. Give them more time.

[mikeinsc]

Can't help you with the seed but i can with the search feature. When the search box opens up, select advanced search and that will get you around the mobile search problem. Common on many forums.