Awaking a 16-Year-Old Goddess: Alpine Strawberry 'Déesse des Vallées' Update

On February 11, 2010, a packet of pelleted Alpine Strawberry Déesse des Vallées seeds was tucked away into the deep freeze, beginning a long slumber that would span nearly two decades. The seeds were discovered in my freezer on May 26, 2026. On May 27th they finally met the soil. What followed was a lesson in botanical resilience, proving that sometimes, a legendary variety can survive a long nap.¹

Seed Source & Storage

• Cultivar: Alpine Strawberry ‘Déesse des Vallées’ (Goddess of the Valleys)

• Storage Duration: Frozen for over 16 years (since February 11, 2010).

Sowing & Germination Details

• Sow Date: May 27, 2026

• Tray Type: 98-cell tray

• Germination Rate: 31% to date

• For Comparison Germination in Solo cup with sand and lid: 40%

• Days to germination of first seed: 7

• Observations: Two seeds surprisingly germinated after more than 30 days.

Transplant & Vigor

• Container: 1-gallon Root Trapper II

• Method: 3 plugs per container

• Seedling Status: Vigorous and growing strong

We will continue to follow these seeds and provide an update from time to time.

To purchase ‘Déesse des Vallées’ seeds CLICK HERE

¹ Introduced in Substack Post: Alpine Strawberry Royalty is Being Replaced by a Goddess. When ‘Reine des Vallées’ and ‘Déesse des Vallées’ Came to America.