Saving Heirloom Tomato Seeds Expiration Question

[AlittleSalt]

While reading countless posts, threads, and just about everything else here and online, I couldn't help but read about people saving heirloom tomato seeds. I have seen where some sites say that the seeds only last a year or so, and others say they are good-to-go for 10 or more years.

I have saved seeds from other vegetables and planted them the next year without problem (Except okra) and this year, I took seeds directly out of cantaloupes we grew and let 2 of them basically rot and then planted their seeds on August 10, 2014. I had to thin them out yesterday. It looks like most if not all of those seeds came up. They probably don't have time to grow and produce, but I get to experiment and see what happens. If nothing else, they can be composted or turned under.

Just wondering how long heirloom tomato seeds last while having a high germination rate?

[amideutch]

I received seeds for two heirloom varieties that were 13 and 15 years old. The member had stored them in a freezer. I planted 6 each seeds from each variety and had 100% germination!

A lot depends on seed preperation and storage techniques. And then the seed prep prior to planting. There are some techniques used with older seeds to enhance germination. In the case of the above I did soak the seeds in a potassium nitrate solution prior to planting.

I think 3-5 years is a good starting point to answer your question. If a seed saver wants to perpetuate the variety he will start thinking about regrowing it after 5 years to renew his stock.

Ami

[ContainerTed]

I agree with Ami. Somewhere around 5 years is a good middle ground, and it will always depend on storage techniques and environment. In order to freeze seeds for storage, the water content must be quite low. Otherwise, the freezing will cause the ice crystals to destroy the seeds.

Most of us do a good job of drying seeds and then store them in paper envelopes or old pharmacy bottles. Personally, I now use the pharmacy bottles and will sometimes put one of those desiccant thingies in to help keep things dry.

Even with all things seemingly equal, the best way to know how long a certain batch of seeds are lasting is to do a germination test. That's right. Just put a few into your choice of growing mediums and see how many (what percentage) come up.

[feldon30]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

While reading countless posts, threads, and just about everything else here and online, I couldn't help but read about people saving heirloom tomato seeds. I have seen where some sites say that the seeds only last a year or so, and others say they are good-to-go for 10 or more years.

I'd like to know what sites those are so we can correct them.

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

Just wondering how long heirloom tomato seeds last while having a high germination rate?

7-10 years. Much longer (decades!) if seeds are frozen in foil packs after being allowed to completely dry. The lower moisture the better.

[Worth1]

I've had ninety percent germination rates from ten year old seeds keep in a drawer.
It all depends on the person starting the seeds and what they do to sprout them.

You can take two people with the same seeds and both will report totally different germination rates.
Worth

[JimM_SC]

I've had 75% germination with seeds that ere 13 years old and kept in paper envelopes at room temperature. IMO 3 to 5 yrs. should be no problem if seeds are properly dried.
Jim

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by JimM_SC

I've had 75% germination with seeds that ere 13 years old and kept in paper envelopes at room temperature. IMO 3 to 5 yrs. should be no problem if seeds are properly dried.
Jim

That's because they are Texas tomato seeds.

Worth