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Sinkers vs Floaters

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 3:30 pm
by greenthumbomaha
Being a (long time) participant of MMMM, I have a lot of old seeds in my "try next year" pile. Instead of starting everything in soil, I've done a few soak (24 hour but can be longer ) tests to test for viability and re-hydrate the older seeds. I think I may have tossed seeds that were floaters needlessly.

While researching this topic, I encountered is a great deal of information on gastrointestinal issues. After passing those by, most postings were about cannabis, I'm starting herbs and some perennial flowers. I don't float tomato or pepper seeds, but maybe you do.

I soaked black eyed susan, parsley, and marjoram which are small and fragile. Some oldies but goodies are popping up after only 3 days, yay! But one variety of the black eyed susan is being stubborn. Guess that one is a gonner.

Curious as to what anyone usually presoaks, and for how long. When I presoak, I wait a few days to see if others catch up, brassicas especially. They germ all over the place for me.

- Lisa

Re: Sinkers vs Floaters

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 7:04 pm
by bower
I soak pepper seeds and I find it makes a big difference to how fast they come up. Helps with reviving older seeds too. I think you're right though, that the seed that floats is not necessarily a goner. I've seen some germinate, for sure.
I don't usually soak tomato seeds, but really old or stubborn ones I have tried it.
I do always soak peas before planting. There's no time to sprout like the present, when it comes to peas. ;)
I've tried soaking parsley and celery, because they are said to have germination inhibitors, but they sure are awkward to handle after soaking.

Re: Sinkers vs Floaters

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:18 pm
by Tormahto
Fresh pepper, pea, corn, and a few other seeds I presoak. Tomatoes if the seed is about a decade old, with the pinch of the blue stuff in the water. I sometimes do the same with old seed of other things, where I wouldn't presoak with fresh seed.

I discard floaters while cleaning fermenting tomato seeds. It's no big deal whether those would germinate or not, as it's usually about 1% of the seeds, and I save lots.

Re: Sinkers vs Floaters

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2022 3:25 pm
by zeedman
Because I grow peppers & tomatoes in a multi-year rotation, I am frequently starting seed that is 6-7 years old (especially now, when I am catching up after 2 bad years). I soak the planted seeds in their pots over-night, then pour off the excess water in the morning. It seams to help, the germination rates are usually decent.