MisterBigglesworth said:Vincent, it looks like someone is clearing out the storage cabinet. If the dates on the packets are correct, you can have some fun trying to germinate really old seeds.
The seeds that CGN distributes are stored at a temperature of -20C. The seeds where dried to a moisture-level of 3-4% before they where frozen. Every 5 years they take a random sample to test germination rates. If germ rates are below 85% they will grow a large number of that variety and harvest fresh seed. The scientists at CGN expect their seeds to be viable for 40-50 Years.
They also take great care of packing seeds. The seed samples are packed in laminated aluminium foil bags. The bags consists of 3 layers: the inner layer of 80 µm polyethylene, an intermediate layer of 12 µm aluminum foil and an outer layer of 12 µm polyester. Polyethylene is necessary to seal the bags, the aluminium is non-permeable to moisture and the polyester is used to give the bag its mechanical strength.
So basically, I don't expect to have any problems with germination rates :-)
PS. On the last batch of CGN seeds I received I had 100% germination, and that was on the wilds....(cardenasii, Eximium, Galapagoense etc etc