New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
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March 16, 2011 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 100
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Old Space Shuttle Seeds
I have just been given a few tomato seeds that went up on the space shuttle in 1984 for the LDEF [Long Duration Exposure Facility] project. They came back to Earth in 1989 and were distributed to school students for experimentation.
What should I do when planting them to ensure the best germination outcome? As far as I know, the seeds were stored in suitable conditions for the last 22 years. Thanks for your help. |
March 16, 2011 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 603
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How many is a 'few'...
That will help on figuring out how many to try for different methods of 'waking them up'. |
March 16, 2011 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 100
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Only 5. Wish it were more.
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March 17, 2011 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SW PA
Posts: 281
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Cool, I'd try a seaweed extract soak. But I'm sure the experts here know more than I do.
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March 17, 2011 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 88
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5% bleach soak for 5 minutes. put seeds 1/6" down in sterile media that drains well keep evenly moist not wet and about 80 degrees. what type of seeds do you have? when they grow up I would be interested in trading.
-d |
March 17, 2011 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: WI, USA Zone4
Posts: 1,887
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I would think they are a collectible with provenance. I'd keep 'em as a curiosity, since the variety probably isn't outstanding anyways. Maybe a visit to Antiques Roadshow is in order
Last edited by dustdevil; March 19, 2011 at 09:23 PM. |
March 17, 2011 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central VA
Posts: 436
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I think they are Rutgers... there are seeds from their "descendents" listed in the SSE Yearbook.
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