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Vegetable Gardening

Eggplant seed viability

11 years ago

I know its too late to think about starting new eggplants , but I am about to get some seeds that a friend's friend's friend (you get the idea) had to spare and which nobody seemed to want. so I want to know if they would be viable for next year? If not, can I start them now in containers and still have a some fruits for seed? I live in zone5b in an apartment.

This question also applies to ridge gourd seeds which I am hoping to receive with the eggplant seeds, so I am posting in asian vegetables forum too.

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Comments (6)

digdirt2
11 years ago
If they are properly stored - cool and dry - then they are good for several years just like most vegetable seeds.

You can always do the standard germination test on them to determine how viable they are before wasting your time trying to grow them.

As to trying to grow them this year, 6 weeks to be ready to transplant puts you well into July before you could get them planted - in containers outside I assume? Depending on variety the average DTM is 80 days. That would put you well into October before getting fruit. And that's IF the weather stayed warm enough for them. All and all the odds aren't very good IMO but if you have enough seeds give it a try. If nothing else it will help with them next year.

Dave
farmerdill
11 years ago
Eggplant seeds are viable for several years, ridge gourds even longer. Properly stored of course. I have used 5 year old eggplant seed with no problems.
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zeedman Zone 5 Wisconsin
11 years ago
Eggplant seed can be fairly long-lived. This year I started 2005 seed for two varieties, and one had 100% germination. The other had about 50% germination, but since I had similar results from that variety even with new seed, it apparently has erratic germination by nature.

As Farmerdill mentioned, storage conditions have a lot to do with seed longevity - or the lack thereof. My concern is that if the seed has been passed around as much as you say, you don't know its age, or how it was handled along the way. Provided that you have enough seed to do so, I would recommend conducting a germination test. If the seed checks good, put it in a jar in your fridge until next year.
archoo16
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks guys! appreciate it! Am thinking I'll use them next year.
moyofasusi
7 years ago
Please how do I go about a standard germination test for eggplant in the laboratory? I have been trying scarification method before sowing for some months now but the result has been very low
naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
7 years ago
Eggplant germinates fine for me without any scarification. It does well in a sterile seed starting mix with bottom heat.

I don't know about laboratory testing. However, at home, I'll test germination at times. Take 10 seeds and place them on a moist paper towel, wrap it up and seal in a small plastic bag and put it in a warm place...80-90 degrees F. Be sure the towel stays moist, not soaking wet, but moist. Then start checking the seeds after 5 days or so, and every few days after that for about the next 3 weeks. I'll figure a rough germination percentage from that....5 sprouts=50%, 8 sprouts=80%, etc.

Eggplant seed will not germinate in cool soil. The seed will rot, not grow.

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