I have managed to source some of my favourite Lebanese courgette. It does not seem to be available now anywhere in Europe presume not enough people bought them to justify the cost of registration.
I really want the seeds to last several years, so got a big packet. So can anyone give me advice about keeping them. I have had courgette seeds 6 years old and still going strong, but want to ensure these survive as long as possible.
They are unfortunately coated in Thiram. So are a sort of metallic blue. :BangHead:
Unfortunately the variety has been bought by Monsanto. Hiss hiss. However I do not hate them quite as much as Dow (as in Aminopyralid (we are still seeing the signs after four years)). Hiss hiss hiss hiss.
I have put a few in the freezer and hope then to do a germination test to see if they are still ok.
Any advice would be welcome please.
Digeroo,
Seeds for freezing need to be very dry, best mixed with the same amount of drying crystals or rice, then placed in a jar with very good lid. I find vitamin tablet bottles good (for the tablets that get dissolved in water), because their push-fit lid is a good close fit and they have drying agent inside the lid. I then stick a vitamin bottle inside a ziplock bag and off they go in the freezer. As you have bought a lot of seed, I would portion the seeds first.
When you come to take them out of the freezer, leave the hermetically closed seed container outside for a day, before opening, because cold attracts water (condensation) and you don't want to get your seeds damp. Not an issue if you have them portioned, each in their own container.
Apart from vitamin tablet bottles, small sample jam jars are very useful for seeds. But portioning them and packing the little portions into a larger jar works too, if you are careful to let the jar come up to room temperature, before you open it and take seeds out.
Good luck.
Are you going to save your own seed as well to have a second generation?
I keep rare seeds in a tin in the freezer. There's never been a problem with germination.
Hi Digeroo - I also love the Lebanese variety- they are the best!! I buy them in the multi pack http://www.johnsons-seeds.com/seeds-plants-gardening/10998/courgettes-and-summer-squash-collection - Its the only place I have found them ever!! Bonus is all the other types in the pack..
I had Clarion from Johnsons last year. Was rather disappointed with the lack of flavour. For me it had to be clar ita. I have also tried Magda which were passable tastewise but the slugs went for the plants.
Unwins do one called Otto but I cannot find the packet I bought.
Seeds I have are F1 Hybrids. I have tried keeping the seeds but they do not taste the same.
How long do frozen seeds keep? I now have 250 seeds might last me out. :toothy10: