Scientists have found seeds from all over the globe that are hundreds to hundreds of thousands of years old.
1. found evidence in n.w. Honduras of chocolate found on pot chards from 1600BC.
2. 2006, in London, 200 yr old seeds found and germinated
3. 2005, a 2,000 yr old date palm seed was found and germinated
4. 2007, in Lima Peru, 10,000 yr old squash seeds.
5. 2002, 500 yr old Lotus seeds found in China and germinated.
6. 1994, in Australia, they found seeds from a Wollemi pine dating back to the dinosaurs, which they've germinated, which is good, as there are only 100 or so left.
So I guess whatever we do to try to preserve our favs, it's a crap shoot!