Re: Seed Sources: Shepherds

(Posting to veglist as may contain info of general interest.)

Seed vigor varies according to a number of factors:

1.  The health of the parent plant.  Strong parent plants make more
vigorous seed that last longer.  This accounts for variation from season
to season within a variety of seed from the same source.

2.  The conditions under which the seed was harvested, processed and
stored by the producer.  This accounts for variation among different
seed suppliers.  (A very ethical seed supplier will not only handle seed
carefully but will reject poor seed from the grower if the grower had a
bad season.  The rejected seed is sold to less ethical suppliers.  Most
of this seed ends up on the rack in the variety store or the drugstore.)

3.  The conditions under which the seed was stored.  Refrigerated seed
stored in sealed packages with a dessicant lasts the longest.  Large
seeds such as beans and peas need to breath, however, and should be
stored in paper in a cool place.

4.  The species of plant.  Some plants, such as onions, have very short
seed life.  Onion seed loses half its vigor in one year.  Most other
seed will retain vigor for three years and well-grown seed of these
varieties, handled and stored properly, will retain adequate vigor for 5
years.  Note that many individual seeds in a packet will germinate after
several years in storage.  But "adequate vigor" means that the seed
germinates strongly and grows into a mature plant under field
conditions.  That kind of vigor only lasts about 5 years at best.

Steve  (Maritime...)


---snip original private email
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