Do old bulbs and seeds bloom?

Question

I found a box with a ton of old bulbs and a box of seeds (the generic impatiens seeds from Home Depot). It's been about 5 years since those were planted. Should I throw them in the trash, or throw them in the ground? They were in a cool, dark place for this amount of time...

I'm definitely no green thumb...

Answer 1

if you have the space, please give them a chance. Seeds can last for many years, and if the bulbs are not affected by rot or fungus they, just might surprise you. Many bulbs should be planted in the fall(there are a few you should/could plant in spring, but have a go. Seeds and bulbs are like little energy storehouses for plants to start the next generation, and those energy stores can last a long time. The bulbs may need a full growing and dormant season to build up the strength to flower. If you don't have room, giv'em to someone that does, I hate to think of a plant dying.....

Answer 2

What do you have to lose but a little time to plant them and the results could be beautiful. All of them may not bloom but you may luck out.
If you touch the bulbs, do they feel firm or do they just feel like paper. I have planted old seeds that I found and many of them germinated.

Answer 3

I am almost sure, taken proper procedure, most
of the seeds will germinate.
If the bulbs are not rotted and dried completely,
there is hope they will come to life as well.
Have a go please.

Answer 4

They definitely can still be viable; although in the case of the bulbs I am surprised that they did not at least sprout.. At any rate, you can certainly try them.

Answer 5

hey the same thing happen to me 2 weeks ago, so I just planted them and I now have seedlings from seeds I purchased 5 years ago.(tomato,marigold,catgrass,pansy, and cherry tomato)

Answer 6

They might or might not. You could plant them and see what happens.