Notes

The Longevity of Old Seed
If you save the packet of old seed, you may not need to sow it again. The lifespan of some seeds is longer than others. For instance, delphinium and candytuft seeds can be used again for a minimum of five years. Marigold, calendula, and alyssum seeds can last between five and ten years. If you're not sure whether an old seed packet is worth saving, do a germination test a year before planting. For germination, you'll need a moist paper towel, warm temperature, and 20 seeds.

Date palm seed

The oldest date palm seed discovered so far was more than 2,000 years old. Researchers found that the seeds were much bigger than modern date palms and even larger than wild date plants. These ancient seeds were approximately 30% larger than those of Judean date palms from 2,000 years ago. Genetic analysis revealed that the ancient seeds were "eastern" in origin. The most ancient variety is Adam, which is closely related to varieties of the Gulf.

Ancient date palms were closely related to modern date palms, but their seeds were much larger and heavier than modern varieties. These differences suggest that these palms had ancient, transcontinental dispersals. This is consistent with the theory that some ancient date palms were hybrids with other plants. Genetic analyses of ancient date palms suggest that the trees originated in the eastern Mediterranean region and spread to the western hemisphere. Regardless of their origin, ancient date palms are genetically similar to modern date palms.

The DNA of the date palms has been sequenced, and the researchers were able to determine which genes were transferred from the wild to the Judean variety. This genetic transfer occurred about two thousand years ago and points to the growing Roman Empire in the area. These ancient date palms have been proven to germinate with minimal damage to DNA. In addition, the researchers were able to identify genes that had been extinct in contemporary date palms.

Hungarian Semi-Hot pepper seed

If you want to grow a hot pepper with a unique flavor, try growing Old Hungarian Semi-Hot pepper seeds. This heirloom pepper plant, originally from Kiskenfelegyhaza in Hungary, grows to about 2 feet tall and produces highly ornamental, black peppers. They mature in approximately 80 days. They are a favorite for fresh uses. The seeds can last several years if stored properly, but you must test the viability of the seeds before planting them.

Old Hungarian Semi-Hot pepper seeds are often purchased at garden centers. These peppers have a medium heat and a waxy texture. Their flavor is citrusy floral and remains relatively sweet until the seeds are ripe. The plant grows vigorously and is suitable for most North American growing conditions. Once harvested, they can be eaten fresh in salads, or pickled or stuffed. These peppers can reach temperatures of 750 to 3000 SHU.

These pepper seeds have a long shelf-life, and are good for storage. Once the mature pepper is cut open, it is necessary to dry out the seed before storing it. The mature seeds will keep for two years if stored properly. When storing, they must be placed in a cool, dry location. However, it is worth mentioning that the seeds can be stored in a closed container.

Methuselah tree

In 2005, a scientist at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, Dr. Elaine Soloway, came up with an idea to germinate ancient seeds. She treated the seeds with hormones and fertilizers and then planted them on the grounds of the Arava Institute in Ketura, Israel. One of the seeds germinated into a sapling. Its name comes from the longest-lived man in the Bible, Methuselah.

The Old Seed Methuselah tree was able to sprout from an ancient "Judean" date palm brought to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem two thousand years ago. It is thought that this ancient palm was planted in the time of Jesus' teachings. The researchers grew the tree and found that two of the six seedlings were female and had not flowered yet. They plan to fertilize them with pollen from the Methuselah tree and hope to see fruit.

Moreover, scientists are now studying the medicinal and other properties of this ancient date palm. Besides being a symbol of life, this tree was known to be used for a variety of medicinal purposes. Its name derives from the name of Methuselah, the grandfather of Noah. It also has a unique occurrence in the Bible - the only tree to have a 2,000-year-old seed found so far.
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