Frozen Chilli Seeds

[Jonnyt]

It seems the seeds in my two year old Ring of Fire Chilli's aren't going to germinate. Can I take one of the ripe chilli's in the freezer from last years crop and use the seeds?

[Mitzi]

Freezing is likely to have damaged the seeds (cell walls ruptured kind of thing) but it won't cost you anything to try, will it, and you might get lucky.

[veggiechicken]

Frozen tomato seeds don't germinate!

To clarify - seeds taken from frozen tomatoes don't germinate!

[Zelenina]

People do freeze seeds to store them long term. But I don't know whether yours would've been frozen correctly. I think they have to be at a very low moisture level. But it's worth a try I think. What have you got to lose?

But on the other hand, I'd expect normally dried chilli seeds to last at least two years. Are you sure they won't germinate? Are you keeping them warm enough?

[Nicos]

Just had a bit of a look on t'internet and there are 2 outcomes from other people's experiences.....yes, some will germinate , and no they don't.
Depending on how lucky you are feeling, I'd have a go!

[Scarlet]

I store bean seeds in the freezer quite often..and ive read that chilli seeds can be stored the same. That said they need to be thoroughly dried out to ensure there isn't any moisture left in the seed. They need to be bagged and kept in a sealed plastic pot. When they are taken out of the freezer they need to be defrosted with the lid on.

If you just dumped fresh /ripe chillies in the freezer I think your chances of germination will be quite slim, the seeds really need to be dry before storing.
Also it may well have crossed with another pepper variety if they weren't isolated - if you were growing some mild peppers in the same GH the chances are that they were also from the capsicum annum family and would cross readily.

[jackarmy]

Frozen tomato seeds don't germinate!

To clarify - seeds taken from frozen tomatoes don't germinate!

Funnily enough im just testing that out , had toms on toast for lunch and saved the seeds from a pink bulgarian, now in a placy bag on Neils cage .

No doubt your right VC but at least ill have proved it to myself ey