Pepper seeds

[PlantSwap]

I've got some seeds from a hot pepper variety indigenous to Saudi Arabia. The seeds are a couple of years old now. I have them stored in a ziploc baggie in the garage.

Does anyone have any idea how long pepper seeds can be stored and still germinate with reasonable success?

[Debby(GA)]

From what I have been told, seeds are only really viable for the first year if properly stored. Then, the germination rate falls off dramatically. The only way you are going to know if the seeds are still viable is to try sprouting them when you are ready to plant them.

[PlantSwap]

Well, that's what I get for procrastinating this past Spring. OK, looks like it's going to be a crapshoot as to whether or not any of them sprout.

[tarpalsfan]

Are any of you growing the Hierloom Peter Peter? (I am) I have grown the pepper in the past but the fruits didn't take on the appearence that the peppers famous for. Does anyone know where one can get some yellow Peter Peppers?

[whocares]

Hi Plantswap
Did you managed to sprout any of those Saudi peppers ?

[Wrennie]

most vegetable seeds are good for 3 to 5 years if properly stored. Only the seed companies want you to think they're only good for 1 year.

[beautifulbay]

I've had a lot of "old" seeds germinate for me, esp veggies, I think the oldest was 3 years, stored in paper packets. Some do, some don't ....

[fermentingblob]

I'll attest, seeds can last more than a year. (damn monsanto and there gimmicks and tricks!) haha. It all depends on the seed too. Some only last a year, some can last a century. I recommend the book seed to seed. It's a great book, the author does a great job going over information like this. Cheers!

[marasri]

Especially seeds from the desert areas. They are design for the fact that water might not be there this year.

[whocares]

I had seeds from 2005 and 2006 sprouting for me ! The rate of germination surely decreases, but a lot of them are still viable after 3 or 4 years. Sometimes they take ages ! I remember one of them took more than 3 months to germinate (when it should have germinated in 10-15 days) but at last it came out! And that's very rewarding, if I may say so ! Specially if the seeds are a rarity ! There's nothing as to try !