How to “revive” expired flower seeds: a note for summer residents
Seeds can remain viable even after hundreds of years.
This has been proven by scientists who have managed to germinate flower seeds over 200 years old. Everything depends on the type of plant and the storage conditions of the seed material.
When conducting a pre-sowing inspection, many people discover expired seeds, which they most often throw away.
But there are methods that can bring them back to life. This is soaking in stimulating solutions.
Just remember that before using the stimulator, the seeds need to be kept in clean, settled water at room temperature for a couple of hours. And only after that, subject them to stimulation for germination.
A miraculous way to increase seed germination is to soak them in aloe juice. You can place them in pure or diluted juice, or put them in the pulp of leaves. The seeds should be in this stimulant for about 6 hours, then they are slightly dried (without washing!) and sown.
Hydrogen peroxide effectively increases seed germination and accelerates their germination. Peroxide (3%) and water are mixed in a ratio of 1:9. The soaking time depends on the age of the seeds, their size and the characteristics of the plant - from 2 hours to a day.
One of the ways to restore the ability to germinate is "temperature swing". One vessel is filled with hot water (for example, 60 degrees). Another - cold. The seeds in a linen bag are alternately lowered into hot and cold water. They are kept in each for no more than 4-5 seconds. The procedure is repeated 5-6 times.
An industrial growth stimulator will help germinate expired seeds. The preparation purchased in the store is diluted according to the instructions and the seeds are soaked in it for a couple of hours. After drying, they are sown in a garden bed or in containers.
These methods can "wake up" seeds of almost any flowers even more than 10 years after purchase. But it is not suitable if the seed material was stored in high humidity or was exposed to sudden temperature changes during storage.
It was previously reported why cucumber seedlings curl and wither.
