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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: grawrc on April 07, 2010, 19:20:37

Title: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: grawrc on April 07, 2010, 19:20:37
I sowed various varieties of tomatoes on 23rd March. Most of them germinated almost immediately but 2 sorts have not yet appeared. Can I assume by now that they won't and sow some other variety?
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: amphibian on April 07, 2010, 21:01:34
Cultivars do vary a lot, how are you germinating?

I use a heated propgator, after two weeks I tend to presume toms aren't going to germinate.
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: grawrc on April 07, 2010, 21:20:05
They are on a shelf in the airing cupboard. All the others are racing away now and out in the bright but relatively cool porch.
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: saddad on April 07, 2010, 21:34:44
I'd assume they weren't going to do anything now...  :'(
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: grawrc on April 07, 2010, 22:48:04
Thanks! That's really what I was thinking too! :'( :'( I'll sow some more tomorrow.
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on April 07, 2010, 22:53:19
I always give them the benefit of doubt so would put the tray in the porch, sow some more but the first sowing might surprise you.

Ninny
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 08, 2010, 11:20:55
I've been reduced to buying a propagator this year, after having trouble germinating them. They're coming up fine now, and I suspect it's the damp atmosphere as much as anything, as I left the seeds on the surface so as to be ablwe to see what was happening.
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: grawrc on April 09, 2010, 08:10:16
Quote from: Ninnyscrops. on April 07, 2010, 22:53:19
I always give them the benefit of doubt so would put the tray in the porch, sow some more but the first sowing might surprise you.

Ninny
Yes indeed! I must be more patient. The Stupice are showing this morning. Just DT Brown's trial cherry toms not showing yet.
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: Macy on April 09, 2010, 09:13:19
It was old seed (probably 4 years at least), but my Gartenperle were very slow compared to the others - sweet peppers sowed at the same time were up before them! So I would still give them a bit of time.

It's my first time growing Gartenperle - are they usually this slow, or could it be the age of the seed, so I can lock that away for next year if they taste nice? I decided to utilise the crop bars in the poly tunnel with a few hanging baskets over some of the lower growing crops...
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: small on April 09, 2010, 10:07:35
It's my first go at Gartenperle as well, they were the first of my 8 varieties to germinate and are the strongest plants now, first truss in flower this morning.  They were new seeds so maybe the age of yours were a factor.  I usually use tomato seed for some years tho'.......
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: Digeroo on April 09, 2010, 11:30:14
I think that using  sod's law that if you use the same cells and pop in another tomato seed into each you will probably get two seedlings. (I have certainly done this more than once) If you throw the compost on the garden: tomatoes will spring up all over the place, but if you leave them and wait probably nothing will happen. 



Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: grannyjanny on April 10, 2010, 14:19:27
I planted some GD organic tomato seeds last year & they took weeks to germinate.
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: grawrc on April 10, 2010, 18:12:28
All up now. Panic over. ;D
Title: Re: is the tomato seed non-viable?
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on April 10, 2010, 19:45:32
Good to hear  :) Diary note for next year  :)

Ninny