How long do flower seeds last?

Kept dry, in their original packets... specifically Blanketflowers (Gaillardia aristata)








Thanks in advance! =)

How long do flower seeds last?
Seeds like that usually go bad after two years with significant loss of germination rate. Still, even if you have a 12 year old pack that's remained in a dry dark closet, you still would be better to plant carefully what you have than chucking it in the garbage.





I actually found some 30 old seed packs that had not been used in a drawer, and planted the whole lot in what I've found is a superior medium.....fine wood mulch or peat moss, kept constantly moist and planted on top, no burial at all and in a shady area and got at least 75 viable seedlings! Which worked out to about 5-8% germination rate.





Had I planted the same fresh, I would probably have hit around the normal 80-90% rate.
Reply:Ive done a survey on my discussion board about packet seeds. I find most dont grow at all anymore.


So did everyone else.





Maybe one plant out of the whole packet.


I quit buying packet seeds.
Reply:Approxmently 1 Year.However I have had seeds for as long as 2 years. If you are saking about grass seed, I have a secret to getting grass off to a great start,


Give it a good soaking with this, it's almost 100% germination evert time.





Start.


Mix in a large container put your in gress seed and then put it in the refrigerator for about 48 hours, then take the seed outside and spread it out on a flat surface, something like your driveway, once they are dry it's time to sow.


Ingredients


1/4 cup of baby shampoo,


1 Tbsp of epsom salts


1 gal. of weak tea water.


heres how to make the tea water


soak a used tea bag and 1 Teas. of dishwashing liquid in a gallon of warm water untill the mix is light brown.


Hope This Helps
Reply:It's possible that they can last a couple of years, but the germination rates drop pretty fast. If they are more than two or three years I wouldn't plan on more than one or two sprouting.





I've had great success with package seeds, but it's important to try and plant them quickly so they are as fresh as possible.