Can seeds germinate after decades?

Under exceptional circumstances, some seeds will become germinable after many years or even centuries. The ancient Judean date-palm gave forth its shoots from 2000-year-old seeds, and the seeds of the Arctic lupine were made to germinate after 10000 years in permafrost. But these are rare instances and demand, so that they should occur, the ideal conditions of a cold and dry climate which nearly suspend all biological activity.

Seed durability stems from the following factors: the nature of the seed structure, the storage conditions and the genetic constitution. Hard-shelled seeds, like lotus, set up impermeable barriers to decay. Constant sub zero temperatures will avoid the disintegration of the cells in seeds. The experiments which I have made, show even the common beans will sprout after 15 years, if very properly sealed in vacuo and placed in the ice.

Most garden seeds lose their viability in 1-10 years. Tomatoes last 4-5 years, onions only 1-2 years. The tropical species deteriorate quickest. Old seeds should never be assumed to be germinable until tested. I test my seeds, even those as old as 10 years, by the germination test or tetrazolium test before planting.

Handle ancient seeds carefully. Use tweezers for fragile specimens. Soak seeds with hard shells for 24 hours before testing for germination. When dealing with historical seeds, check the seed banks before planting. Use a diary to record your results, allowing for future research into the viability and longevity of seeds.

Set realistic expectations with ordinary garden seed varieties. The practical methods of 5-10 years of viability that can be had are more important to consider than the grossly extreme cases. Freezing seeds extends viability the most. I labeled all of my seeds with the date of harvest and test every three years. This method strikes the best balance for preserving seeds and achieving realistic gardening success.

Read the full article: Seed Viability Test Guide: Ensure Your Seeds Grow