Grow Your Own Magazine

bramble · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 04:59 PM

Does anyone know if seeds from a frozen pepper will germinate? I froze all my peppers and forgot to save seeds.

Flummery · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 05:56 PM

Gene banks use freezing techniques don't they. I suspect they dry them out first though. Nothing ventured, however, - try a seed in a warm place on damp paper towel to check for viability. If they are not, you've still got time to post a plaintive message on Seed Swap!

bramble · #3 (**permalink**) 13-11-2007, 12:47 AM

Thanks Flummery, i will try them as a test. Just did'nt want the spring to come and find that none of them germinated

Hazel at the Hill · #4 (**permalink**) 13-11-2007, 01:42 AM

Suggest that you don't just blast the froz seed straight from the freezer - suggest you defrost in the fridge for 24 hours, then in 'ambient temperature' for a couple of days for the seeds to acclimatise (as recommended by Heritage seed library peeps), then try to germinate a few.

Flummery · #5 (**permalink**) 13-11-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazel at the Hill

for the seeds to acclimatise (as recommended by Heritage seed library peeps

Whoo! Got your Seed News then Hazel? Good isn't it?

Hazel at the Hill · #6 (**permalink**) 13-11-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flummery

Whoo! Got your Seed News then Hazel? Good isn't it?

It certainly is! Thought the article about the girl growing the peas for seed was really interesting in particular. I've a packet of Stoke Lettuce as my free gift. Must look it up & see what it's supposed to be like.

Flummery · #7 (**permalink**) 13-11-2007, 11:06 AM

I got that too. I've got the Back Garden Seed Saving book by Sue Stickland - an HDRA production - and it mentions Stoke as a small, hardy cos type lettuce a bit like Little Gem. It's from Stoke near Rochester, Kent and is said to be growable outdoors in winter there (I think that's why we got it when joining at this time of year). I've sown a couple of short rows in my unheated greenhouse. Looking forward ...!

simonytfc · #8 (**permalink**) 13-11-2007, 10:27 PM

Have heard that too speed up germination in old seeds you can freeze them and pour boiling water over them when they are planted. I guess this applies in your case but I don't know if it works as I have never tried it

Alice · #9 (**permalink**) 13-11-2007, 11:34 PM

I think they will be OK Bramble. But to save yourself from disappointment in the spring try a viability test now. Take a few seed, place them between damp sheets of kitchen paper, put it in a poly bag to save paper drying out, keep in a warm place, check every few days to see if anything is happening. If wee white wigglies appear from the seeds they are viable and will grow for you when you want them in the spring. But I'm sure Piglet said the seeds would not come true to type so ???????

Flummery · #10 (**permalink**) 14-11-2007, 09:45 AM

I think that depends on whether they've had the chance to cross pollinate Alice. If they get the chance, they'll take it! However, I've not tasted a horrid chilli!

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