[Aidy]

I am not really growing anything new this year after what happened with the peanuts last year.
So this years little experiment is this..
Parsnip seed viability 

It is said that we have to use fresh seed every year with the eld snips. So I have three boxes of seed on the go, this years fresh seed as normal, last years seed and seed that I have found in the bottom of me seed tin, I am guessing by the date about three years ago.

All three containers have wet kitchen paper in them and put in a warm dark place to chit (my normal method)

To my suprise all seeds are chitting, there is no difference so far between last years and this years, and so far about 30% of the old ones have started to chit.

I am giving them another few days then they will be sown in their bed and time will tell about phase two of the experiment.

[Kleftiwallah]

Carry on the good work and blow a few more 'myths' Aidy.    :happy:    Cheers,    Tony.

[galen]

I was just about to throw out the remains of last years pack (seed sorting this morning) may have a rethink...

[gazza975526570]

Interesting. I have a few old packs in one of my seed tins so do keep us updated. 

[Nikkithefoot]

I have successfully chitted 8 year old parsnip seed from unopened packets. Went on to grow good roots as well. The same seed I sowed in the ground didn't germinate.

will be interesting if you get similar results

[savbo]

I chitted old seed a couple of years ago, I found that the germination ranged from a day or two to several weeks!

The main problem with the crop was that despite being very gentle with the tiny roots, I ended up with a CyrilFletcherFest of bizarre roots.

Tasted fine but a b*gger to peel 


sav

[safetrade]

Think I will hang on to my old seeds aswell until you have concluded your experiment 

[galen]

Finally did get round to last years parsnips seeds, started chitting, and then forgot about them... 

I can say I had 100% germination some long tap roots and leaves but all well too advanced to plant out. I should add the roots did seem incredibly strong; those that didn't pass through the upper piece of kitchen towel lifted it clear of all the others!

[Kirpi]

Peanuts??!!!

[arugula]

Peanuts??!!!

A few have tried them in the past, why not do a forum search and have a read when you have some spare time.

[JayG]

I too experimented by sowing (outdoors) some of last year's Gladiator parsnip seed at the same time as a fresh packet of White Gem on 20th April and the Gladiator first showed on 17th May and look like they've done better overall than the White Gem!   

I think you may have a point Aidy about the viability being longer than usually thought, although it's probably a lot to do with the fact that they are often sown in soil temperatures which are far colder than what is ideal for them, in which case they need to be as fresh as possible to stand the best chance of reasonable rates of germination.

[Salmo]

I have successfully chitted 8 year old parsnip seed from unopened packets. Went on to grow good roots as well. The same seed I sowed in the ground didn't germinate.

will be interesting if you get similar results

Although seed will often germinate for many years the speed of germination and the vigour of the seedlings diminishes. This is important in the ground to allow the plant to outgrow attacks from fungus, bacteria and biting pests.

[Aidy]

As this has popped up I shall update the thread with findings so far.

All the old seed has come up, and is growing very well, in fact much better than the seed from this year (which is a different variety).

I have put another batch to chit in at home as very few are showing, these will do as baby snips if they dont grow to full size for Christmas dins.

[picon]

Joined this site just to say thank you. I live in France and parsnips are not always available and when they are can be a tad expensive. Growing my own is therefore essential. Well this year the slugs ate all my seedlings. What to do as I only had a packet of last years gladiator seeds left in the tin. So followed your experiment and success now have 30 parsnips growing. So thank you again and what a great site 

[Madame Cholet]

both mine from this year and last seam to be doing about the same.