How long do seeds last ?

[Nievesgirl]

How long can seeds before they can't be planted any longer ?

[Charlie]

There has been a lot of variation reported. If seeds dry out too much they no longer are viable but what is "too much" depends on lots of factors. How long have they been stored, what conditions are they stored in, how hot, how humid, etc. I've known of seeds that did not germinate that were then recycled into potting mix only to sprout months later in the pot with whatever plant was planted in the mix. I've also had some great seeds go bad on me after several years storage during which they spent some time in a hot environment. I tried to germinate some seeds like that earlier this year and only 2 of 100 germinated. With fresh seeds I usually get about 70 percent that germinate and live long enough to be potted up.

The safest thing to do is to plant them as soon as possible but if they must be stored then a dark and cool location inside an airtight bag is likely to give the best results. The main caution is for there not to be so much moisture inside the bag or on the seed that mold starts growing.

Charlie

[Quaver]

Hi.
Cross Midninght Moon b Ring of Fire. I received 16 seeds. Planted immediately. Went up 10 seeds in 5 days. They grew up. They have 6 months.
Question - how long to wait when they will flower. Leave them to grow on their roots, or better cut and graft? What conditions are needed for the early flowering?

[helixturnhelix]

Hi Quaver,

It takes 1-3 years for a seedling to bloom for the first time.  Seedlings grow on their own roots, if you want to reproduce the good ones the best thing to do is try and see if they will root on their own.  If they wont after different conditions then go ahead and graft them. 

As far as trying to get a plant to flower early, it really depends on the plant, some flower younger, some older.  If you want to help them out as much as possible make sure you fertilize regularly, give them lots of sun and keep them nice and warm

[Nievesgirl]

Thanks for the info Charlie so now I have to figure out how I am going to grow all 162 seeds LMAO !

[blupit007]

Ok, so I think I should ask here.  I got a few of my crosses to set seed!  Belle du Jour X Saffron  as well as Belle du Jour X Baja Breeze.  I saw that they were ready at 3 am as I was leaving for vacation, so I grabbed them and emptied them into a labeled zip lock baggie.  I have had them in this for over a week (inside my home).  It is getting cooler in CT and all my hib's are now inside.  When should I plant these seeds?  Is there a good time in my climate?  Or doesn't it matter?  The sooner the better?  Or can I wait, and if I do now or a bit later, do I nick them and how?  Wow, sorry for the

By the way, the BDJ X BB was in a pod not quite ready so I put it in a shot glass with a tiny bit of water.  When I got home it was a little too soggy, but the seeds inside looked fine.  I then emptied them into a zip lock, that was about 30 hours ago...

[Charlie]

Kristen, fresh seeds put into an air tight zip lock bag can develop mold that kills them. It's best to make sure the outer coat of the seeds has dried before they get locked into an air tight bag, particularly if the seeds come out of a pod that is still fresh and not dried crispy. It only takes a day or so for them to dry sufficiently. Another method I have used is to put the seeds inside the bag but not close the bag for a couple of days. It's very frustrating to open a bag of great seeds only to find that they have molded and are no longer any good. The best method of all is to plant the seeds while fresh - no nicking needed and maximum germination rates.

You can tell when you nick them if they need it or not. If the knife slices easily through the seed coat, like going through refrigerated butter, then they are fresh enough to plant without nicking. If the coat resists the blade and feels hard as you do the first nick then the nick is needed for best results.

Some people believe seeds should be planted in spring as Mother Nature does it but hibiscus are tropical and there is no real spring for them in the tropics. I germinate them anytime of year but if it's in winter I find the warmest place possible to grow the seedlings after they germinate because they do like it warm. A little heating mat made for this purpose takes care of that if there is no better solution.

Charlie

[blupit007]

Thanks for the help!