viable seeds

[P.Bruggeman]

The trick I always use to discern between viable and non-viable seeds is to
put the seeds in a bowl of water. If the seeds are fresh and clean, the
viable seeds will sink to the bottom almost immediately. Non-viable seeds
will stay at the surface and float. If the seeds are older it takes longer
for the viable seeds to sink to the bottom but generally within 2 hours they
will. Old seed will be somewhat dehydrated but only the viable seeds will
absorb moisture and sink. Non-viable seed will not absorb any moisture and
stay at the surface. Because I always soak old seed (in water with some
detergent) for at least 24 hours before sowing I use this trick to remove
all the non-viable seeds. Any seed that still floats after 12 hours is
removed and I get rid of them. I'm not saying this method is 100% proof but
the floating seeds I did sow in the past all rotted, so it works for me.

Pascal Bruggeman