Sweet pea seeds viable, sink or float

mchua

Hey folks,

I found an old open packet of these, who knows how long for.  Popped them in water and some of them sink. Is this actually a thing or a myth?  I don’t want to waste them.

Ty

Fairygirl

Just sow them. 
I never bother soaking them anyway. 

Pete.8

I have soaked seed before, some sinks and some floats, but most seem to germinate.
Soaking is supposed to help soften the seedcase to make it easier to break open.

I imagine very old seed will heave their kernels shrivelled up and replaced with air, so they float So there probably some truth in it

Bilje

When I’ve used old sweet pea seeds I sprout them before I sow them. I wrap the seeds in a square of kitchen paper, moisten it then pop the parcel into a small plastic box with a lid. Examine every couple of days. As soon as you see the tiny root/shoot emerge pot them up as normal. Saves wasting compost on unviable seed. 

mchua

Thank you. I tried both methods, nothing happened. They must’ve been very old.  I will try next year with a new packet. 

Pete.8

Unless you can see they've rotted - give them some more time.
I've known them take 2 weeks or more to appear in cool weather

Fairygirl

Sweet peas should take two or three weeks to germinate.
Quicker than that means they've had too much heat, which isn't great for them.