skip to main content

Amaryllis/Hippeastrum

How long will seeds stay viable?

14 years ago

Now that I have several seed pods, I wonder if I could keep these seeds for some time before planting them.

If so, how long will these seeds stay viable? and how should I store them?

Normally in the past, when I received seeds from friends here, I planted them immediately.

Thanks for your advice.

Xuan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

npublici
14 years ago
I am not an expert on this,but I do know that the longer you have them,the fewer the number which will germinate. I misplaced some in a dry building,in which the temperatures reached over 100Fah from march to october. Upon planting them in october only about two percent germinated. I have read that temperatures below 50Fah and low humidity will keep the seeds and produce a high number of germinations,up until five months. After that the germination rate drops.
Del
haxuan
Original Author
14 years ago
Many thanks, Del.
If "cool & dry" can help seeds fresh longer, maybe storing them in a fridge will do.

Xuan
Related Discussions
How long do Zinnia seeds remain viable in the soil or mulch?
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Highlander, "So, if they aren't coming up this year, how long will they last in or on the soil or mulch? Will the seeds dropped last year come up next year or in future years?" A very small percentage of zinnia seeds survive as "volunteers" the next Spring, but I wouldn't expect any of those seeds to make it to a second year. "That brings up question 1: How to prevent powdery mildew on zinnias?" A non-toxic way is frequent sprays of a product called GreenCure. It is basically potassium bicarbonate with a proprietary wetting agent. You have to spray it fairly frequently because it is water soluble and rains or even heavy dews can wash it off into the soil, where it acts as a source of potassium nutrition. I suspect it also foliar feeds some potassium. It is safe to use. It is better than using sodium bicarbonate. I breed zinnias as a hobby (see the "It can be fun to breed your own zinnias" message thread), and three years ago I found a tubular petaled mutant that I wanted to preserve as long as possible, providing pollen for crossing with other zinnias and developing seeds of its own. To prolong the life of that zinnia plant right up to our killing freeze, I applied Bayer All-in-One Rose and Flower Care as a drench applied about every two weeks, and it prevented Powdery Mildew and other foliage diseases on that zinnia specimen right up until it was killed by a hard freeze in late Fall. It is fairly expensive, so I don't use it routinely on my zinnias. But since it is systemic, it isn't washed off by rain and it spreads its protection to new growth, unlike surface sprays. It is not for organic gardeners, because it does contain "chemicals". I foliar feed my zinnias with Miracle-Gro products, and I am experimenting with adding some Physan 20 as a wetting agent and, since it is a bactericide and fungicide, among other things (some hospitals use it in their mop water), it may tend to prevent Powdery Mildew. This isn't the "season" for PM yet, so I won't know until this Fall if it can play a role in preventing PM and other diseases on my zinnias. But so far, so good. ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)
...See More
How long is corn seed viable?
Q
Comments (30)
"It is understood that freezing is an excellent seed preservation strategy. BUT, the seed must be COMPLETELY dry before freezing." I agree. With very few exceptions (for seeds which won't survive freezing by nature) if seeds die when frozen, excessive seed moisture is usually the cause. The problem is there is no practical or affordable method available for accurately measuring the moisture% in small amounts of seed. The use of desiccant to dry seeds helps to ensure a low enough moisture level - especially in a warm and/or humid environment. In my area, forced air heating in winter drives the indoor humidity so low, that all I need to do is leave the seeds out until then. If I see a lightning storm when pulling off a sweater, I can safely assume that the seeds are dry enough. ;-) A good rule of thumb is the break test; if a seed breaks cleanly when bent, or shatters when struck with a hammer, it should be dry enough for frozen storage. If it bends, breaks incompletely, or just crushes when struck, it may need more drying. Regarding the removal of frozen seed... IMO the best method to ensure the safety of a large lot of frozen seed is to pre-package it in small small quantities. This could be small sealed plastic bags, within a larger sealed container (such as a freezer bag or mason jar). That way a single packet can be quickly removed for planting or exchanges - while still in the freezer - without thawing the whole container. I should also add that at this time of year, the same precautions that apply to properly warming frozen seed, also apply to seed received frozen in the mail. As tempting as it may be to eagerly tear open that package, try to wait until the package/envelope warms to room temperature.
...See More
the best lupine cultivar ever!!!
Q
Comments (3)
I have a goal of creating a lupine garden (heat here too) and I started a bunch this past winter, winter sowing. I had HORRIBLE luck transplanting. Almost all the sprouts died. Perhaps I should have left them to grow longer/bigger in the pots, like they sell at nurseries, but the sprouts were suffering in the containers. I panicked and bought more seeds. These I soaked overnight and directly sowed and they are doing well. I am now convinced that for the sake of my sanity, I'll direct sow lupine in the fall. I read that they dislike root disturbance. I tried to grow Morello Cherry, this year, and I probably killed the ones I had. One that bloomed for me this year is dark pink - almost red, and it is/was spectacular. The seeds are almost ready to harvest. It must be perennial because last year it didn't bloom. Email me if you are interested. I think lupine seeds are viable for years. Soaking overnight worked really well. New sprouts are everywhere in my garden.
...See More
How long are lily seeds viable for??
Q
Comments (1)
Michael, I'm not sure for long term storage on them at room temp. I have a feeling I read that it was not a long time. So if I were you, I would freeze them. They will stay good for many years that way. Put them in a small container with a tight fitting lid, and put them in the back to they stay frozen. When you want to sow them, let the container sit out until it comes to room temp before opening. If you open too soon, you will kill the seeds. Remy
...See More
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
14 years ago
I keep mine on the kitchen counter in egg crates. I floated a few of last year's seeds and most of them sprouted. So...they are viable at least 1 year without any care whatsoever!
;-)
Kristi
haxuan
Original Author
14 years ago
Many thanks, Kristi.
elizabeth_jb
14 years ago
Most kindly, I do not wish to contradict what Kristi is saying. Kristi, if yours stay on the counter for one year with no care, you have been quite fortunate.

How long they will keep at room temperatures depends on the seeds themselves. Johnsonii seeds are more 'oily' in appearance and much like sunflower seeds. They do not dry up as quickly, but the majority of the seeds will dry up and wither away after a few months. The longer you keep them at room temperature, the less viable they will be, so I agree that you should try to refrigerate if possible.

If you have an excess of seeds, you can run some trials and depending on the seeds themselves and your environmental conditions, some will last longer than others.

If you don't wish to take the chance on losing them, the first choice is to sow them ASAP and the second is to move them to cool and dry within the first few months.

That's just based on my experience...

Good Luck and enjoy your precious seeds!

Ann
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
14 years ago
Ann,

Of course, the best practice is to sow them immediately. I always plant seeds the day the pod opens. That's the best way to assure the best viability. It goes downhill from there.

I was just sharing my recent experiment, since I had seeds from nearly 50 crosses just sitting around. Before tossing them out, I thought I should see if they were still good. I took several (no Johnsonii crosses) and floated them. Within 10 days, there were signs of sprouting.

You weren't contradicting me Ann...you may not agree with how I did something, but we all have value to share. It just was to show that you might be lucky and even if you haven't provided any special care to the seeds, they want to survive. The house was kept at 68-78 all year, with relatively high humidity (this is Houston after all). So, maybe the humidity helped. Don't know....

Similarly, I have pollen from the past 2 years in pill bottles sitting on the counter, and I have had some luck with it this year. Have only tried a couple of crosses, but 1 did take.

Kristi
elizabeth_jb
14 years ago
Thank you for your gracious understanding. I have done 1,000's of crosses and my experience is that most will not viable more than 6 months and many will not be viable for more than 3 months.

I live in Mobile, AL, and the humidity is just as high as Houston if not more...

Thanks for understanding my concern.

Ann
haxuan
Original Author
14 years ago
So much thankful to your sharing of experience, Ann and Kristi.
But basing on most common sense, I think the longer you leave the seeds the lesser germination rate you have. So I will sow my seeds as soon as I can to get good results.
As for why I asked about storing, I wanted to share some of the seeds with other local friends and sending stuff might take time on my end.
Anyway, I really appreciate all the information you guys have passed.

Xuan
elizabeth_jb
14 years ago
Xuan,

If you wish and are curious, you can gently remove them black winged coating and examine the seed itself. You will see that there is no hard outer shell which is why the little seed will dry up in a short amount of time.

I have often wondered if there were a way to coat the seed so that it would last longer, but given the fact that I have more seeds than I can possibly ever sow, I have not tried to experiment with that.

Good Luck, and continue to enjoy your babies.

Ann
e36yellowm3
14 years ago
Kristi, what a good idea to use egg crates to store seeds! Thanks for the tip. They're just the perfect size to pop a pod right in each egg cup.

Alana
haxuan
Original Author
14 years ago
Hey, your suggestion did stir up the curiosity in me, Ann. I'll check and see :-).

Thanks again, folks, for your sharing of info.

Xuan

Related Stories

Houzz Interview: Miss Mustard Seed’s Charming Pennsylvania Home

CONTAINER GARDENS 8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed

Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Overhaul: Which Plants Should Stay, Which Should Go?

By Falon Mihalic

Learning how to inventory your plants is the first step in dealing with an overgrown landscape

ORGANIZING 7 Habits to Help a Tidy Closet Stay That Way

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Cut the closet clutter for a lifetime — and save money too — by learning how to bring home only clothes you love and need

DECORATING GUIDES Improving a Rental: Great Ideas for the Short and Long Haul

By Laura Gaskill

Don't settle for bland or blech just because you rent. Make your home feel more like you with these improvements from minor to major

CHRISTMAS Make a Long-Lasting Eucalyptus Holiday Wreath

By Rikki Snyder

Greens full of fragrance will keep your front door in the Christmas spirit for weeks

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's March Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

So long, freezing temperatures. It's time to kick off spring planting, lavish attention on lawns and sprinkle seeds to your heart's content

0

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's May Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Be especially water wise this month as you sow seeds, tend to your lawn and plant edibles, grasses and flowers

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Summer Crop ...

Get an edible that’s long on flavor even if you’re short on space, with a long-time gardener’s favorite picks

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Lonicera Sempervirens

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Grow this long-blooming, flashy flowering vine to cover a fence or arbor and attract hordes of hummingbirds all season long

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

Happy New year for 2024

5