Frozen seeds

[veggiechicken]

I've defrosted the freezer and found a very old bag of broad beans. Having taken their pale green skins off, the inner bean is vibrantly green. Would it grow? Just curious really.

[binley100]

Haven't a clue but would try it anyway just to see.......you never know for sure until you give it a go.

[Two_Sheds]

Nah, it's dead

[rustylady]

Absolutely not. If you freeze seeds they will never ever grow.

[binley100]

So why do weeds from seed come back every year even after really cold winters ?

[alex-adam]

I'm inclined to agree with TS and Rusty, freezing seed usually kills them, but it would be worth trying to germinate a few on damp blotting paper, just to see what happens.

a-a

[veggiechicken]

So why do weeds from seed come back every year even after really cold winters ?

To spite you!

[binley100]

I know this isn't exactly your bean s but just thought it was a lovely idea

"...... .This isn't strictly cold stratification but it's a wonderfully mysterious method and should delight children. It works for hardy annuals, biennials, and short-lived perennials--seeds that enjoy some cold to germinate and grow but don't truly require cold stratification - for instance, members of poppy family, heartsease, and sweet alyssum. During the winter after a heavy snow, go outside with your seeds and just broadcast them out on the snow. Believe it or not, they will come up in the spring. I tried this with California poppy, and it works wonderfully well. Just make sure you are broadcasting them in an area where they will be able to grow. This is a great way to beat the dulls of winter. .."




Whichever method you try, remember that seed germination of perennials is an art, not a science. Patience is definitely required, and even the most experienced growers fail sometimes. That's why you always keep some seeds back to try again.

[veggiechicken]

The experiment has started! I've put 6 beans still in their skins, 6 beans without skins, and 6 beans (Sutton) that I was about to do something with, in wet kitchen roll in a tray in the kitchen. Watch this space!

[rustylady]

Bet the frozen ones don't germinate

[veggiechicken]

Bet the frozen ones don't germinate

You're undoubtedly right but at least I've started 6 Suttons (perhaps). The packet has been staring at me accusingly for days

[planetologist]

Dry seed of things that grow where winters are cold will keep better frozen (they have this global seed library inside the Arctic circle in Norway), but if it's not dry I think the formation of ice crystals will normally kill the seed.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Planetologist. After about 5 years in the freezer I think they've had it!! I'll give them a fighting chance but.....

[vegnut]

Aha, but did you blanch them before freezing them Just a thought

[J.V.]

Frozen seed can certainly grow - after all, they are preserved in seed banks below -18C... (applies to the many sorts that are still viable after drying) and seed is naturally frozen in many environments.

But those broad beans have (presumably) been picked young rather than old and (more importantly) dry, so were not viable when they went in the freezer!

I have read that some even freeze some seeds (esp. beans) for a few days to kill bugs... of course, they must be thoroughly dry or they will be ruined.

JV