200 Year Old Seeds Come to Life

A number of seeds thought to be around 200 years old which were found in a notebook in the National Archives in London by a Dutch researcher have are now being grown by scientists at Wakehurst Place, Kew Gardens’ grounds in West Sussex.

The seeds, which are thought to originate from the 1800’s were found in the notebook of a Dutch merchant who’s vessel which was captured by the British Navy in 1803 on its trip back from the Cape of Good Hope with a cargo of tea and silk.

Both the cargo and the note book in question were taken by the British during the operation and the notebook was then passed from the Court of Admiralty via the Tower of London to the National Archives.

The Cape of Good Hope

Kew’s scientists were passed the seeds when they were found in the notebook and immediately set about trying to revive them and, to their surprise it now appears that the seeds are growing without any problem.

The fact that these seeds have survived for this length of time is great news for placed like the Millennium Seed Bank where seeds are stored for history and future generations.

EVENTS IN HISTORY – 1803

Britain declares war on France after Napoleon Bonaparte continues interfering in Italy and Switzerland

1st performance of Beethoven’s 2nd Symphony in D

Ohio becomes 17th US state

Spain cedes her claims to Louisiana Territory to France

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