oldest seed to sprout 2024 is.......

[rxkeith]

marlowe charleston 2008.

i got these seeds from a large pink tomato that duker dawg, duane gave to me back in the day.
never did grow it for some reason or other, so decided it was time. i planted about 20 seeds on the 16th
of this month, and it looks like five of them are coming up so far. next oldest is milkas red bulgarian from
2010. still good germination from seeds stored in an aluminum tea bag that was repurposed.
i have lost touch with duane. i don't know if he is even still alive, but marlowe charleston has come back to life.


keith

[JRinPA]

Hope it is as good as it was supposed to be.
I'm lost as to what an aluminum tea bag is...a foil wrapper around the contents of the box? Or a loose leaf bag? My fanciest tea is country peach passion, waxed paper packing.
Were the seeds frozen as well?

[rxkeith]

there are boxed teas, that have individual packets of tea, bigelow is one brand, i am
sure there are others. the inside of the packet looks like it is foil lined. these aren't fancy teas.
you can get them at big box stores. the packets once the tea bag is removed are very good storage
bags for seeds on a small scale. they are moisture proof once you fold them over and put a piece of
tape on it. seeds stay good for a long time. seeds were all kept at room temperature. the marlowe
charleston seeds were in a small plastic zip lock bag. i like to recycle things and reuse them when practical.
those tea bags are one of the better ideas i have come across.


keith

[JRinPA]

Is 16 years old your longest revival?

[ddsack]

My oldest seeds this year were Ernesto, 19 years, acquired in 2005. I only had six seeds left, put all in a 1/2" of water to soak, not expecting much. Changed water daily in case of rot. After 14 days in water at room temperature, one put out a root, another at 15 days, and the third at 19 days. Each was transferred to starter mix as soon as I saw the radicle emerge. The first two have now put up cots and should survive, the third should pop up in a day or two. The remaining seeds in water look like they will just rot, layer of fuzz starting. But I am pleased to get 50% with those old seeds. Seeds were stored at room temperature in a coin envelope in a plastic storage box in my basement.

[Paulf]

Since I have been divesting myself of all the oldest dated seeds, this year the only two old seeds planted were Big Ben #1 from 2015, 8/10 germinated and survived and Soldaki from 2012 with 4/10 up and growing. They got no special treatment; planted in 6 paks then transplanted to two inch pots. All are 12 inches tall (needed to start two weeks later, but then I get impatient in March). Everything will be outside after this weekend hardening off due to hit the dirt the first week of May.

Haven't heard word of the old seeds sent out the past couple of years. Next year it will be newer seeds of varieties I do not plan to grow since my self induced reduction in tomato growing. Just like my RMD I am winding down slowly toward the end of time.

[bower]

I have a 2013 seed of Golden Jubilee that sprouted, my oldest this season. No special treatment, I was glad to see one sprout!

[rxkeith]

marlowe charleston is a tie with uncle steve from a previous year.


keith

[Seven Bends]

Haven't heard word of the old seeds sent out the past couple of years. Next year it will be newer seeds of varieties I do not plan to grow since my self induced reduction in tomato growing.

I'm one of the happy recipients of the seeds you've given away the last two years at T-ville; thank you! My results have been mixed so far; I think someone with better skills at germinating old seeds would have had more success, but I'm just learning.

In 2023, I planted:
DB Cooper 2009 -- 2/5; planted one plant and it thrived
Italian Sweet 2009 -- 2/5; planted one plant, which produced a heavy yield of delicious tomatoes; very pleased!
Bear Claw 2009 -- 0/10
Italian Giant 2009 -- 0/15 (one attempt of five seeds in seed starting mix; one of ten seeds in wet paper towel)

In February 2024, I did a germination test of three varieties (in seed starting mix on a heat mat):
Joe's Portuguese 2009 -- 7/10; I now have two beautiful, giant plants that really need to go in the ground
Italian Giant 2009 -- 0/10 (grrr)
Bradley 2010 -- 0/10

On 4/20/24, I started these:
Italian Giant 2009 -- 20 seeds (pre-soaked in "blue stuff")
Hoy 2011 -- 10 seeds
Bulgarian Tri-Fanova 2012 -- 10 seeds
Nothing up yet, but it's too early. Will know more in another week.

I also tried the bleach pre-soak method on my last four Bear Claw 2009 seeds, but after rinsing the seeds in a strainer, I managed to knock the strainer on the floor, upside down, and after crawling around on the floor for five minutes only managed to find two of the seeds, so I took that as a sign and gave up. Some things just aren't meant to be.

[PNW_D]

Rose Quartz from 2012

[rxkeith]

there are now about 18 marlowe charleston seedlings up. its getting crowded in there.
they are still coming up. i am very surprised at the germination rate. i was hoping for a
single plant. i didn't count the seeds when i planted them, but germination is still quite high
for these guys.


keith

[rdback]

2008 - Legend, Delicious

2009 - Brad's Black Heart (PaulF)