bagseed
Member
Hi all
I think this is a very important topic for anyone planning on keeping seeds for more than a couple of years. Here is a link to an excellent website i found about storing seeds of all kinds: http://www.saveseeds.org/links_storage.html (This is the first time i have been to the site in 12 months and it appears some of the links are a bit outdated and not working but there is still some very interesting info here)
Some edited qoutes from various articles on the site (remember they are talking about seeds from all kinds of plants):
From one article:
This particular research paper from the same link above: http://www.seedcontainers.net/ contains four links to some excellent info, Please have a look, it's very interesting One of the links - "Long term seed preservation: The risk of selecting inadequate containers is very high" details an experiment where 40 commonly used seed storage containers were tested for their ability to keep out moisture, in a humid environment, for 3 years. Only four containers were adecquate to the task.
I think the most important point from the article is that the only container that performed well in the experiment, and can be easily obtained by almost everyone is: glass Kilner (Scotch) jars, with glass lids fastened on a red rubber seal, with a metallic joint and fastening device. You know the sort, everyone's seen those glass jars with the metallic clip top lid and the red rubber seal, #24 in the pic bellow. And most of you probably have an old one in your kitchen cupboard that you've had for years. Just make sure you get a new one because the rubber seal wears out over time. I had no trouble finding some at a local kitchen supplies store.
So after checking out all the info i decided to store my seeds in their original breeder packaging (usually small plastic clip top baggies) inside a couple of new Kilner jars, about 1/3 full of silica gel - the kind that changes colour when it absorbes moisture so that you can easily see when it needs to be removed, and dried out or replaced (i'm just using dried rice at the moment but i have found a couple of companies that sell the silica gel that changes colour, i just have to call them and see if they will mail me some), and the Kilner jars are stored in the bottom of my fridge, inside a small esky (cooler box? dont know what you foreigners call it, but we call it an esky, lol) to protect them from light, and to reduce any temperature fluctuations caused by opening the door, etc. I also have a small jar with a little bit of water in it sitting on top of the esky so that i can see if the fridge gets to cold and starts freezing things - a fairly common occurance in winter, as i'm sure your all aware. Just turn up the temp. dial on your fridge a little bit to fix it.
To begin with i considered storing them in the freezer, but quickly killed that idea when i learned that they have to remain frozen and any thawing and re-freezing (power black-out or repairs, moving house, etc) would ruin the seeds. I also thought about a vacum sealed container, but learned on the above site that seeds need oxygen to remain alive and viable.
I have had bagseed thats been laying around in drawers for 5-6 years or more sprout fine with a 50 to 100% germ rate, but when it comes to expensive beans from top breeders, i think that the best storage conditions you can provide is the only way to go.
If anyone has any info or links to add to the topic, please do
Cheers all, happy seed storing
I think this is a very important topic for anyone planning on keeping seeds for more than a couple of years. Here is a link to an excellent website i found about storing seeds of all kinds: http://www.saveseeds.org/links_storage.html (This is the first time i have been to the site in 12 months and it appears some of the links are a bit outdated and not working but there is still some very interesting info here)
Some edited qoutes from various articles on the site (remember they are talking about seeds from all kinds of plants):
From one article:
From another article:Seeds are living organisms that require specific storage conditions in order to remain capable of producing healthy, vigorous plants. High quality seeds are essential to successful vegetable gardening.
While seeds begin losing their viability from harvest, with proper conditioning and storage, some may last years. Many vegetable types will maintain germination rates of at least 50% for ten or more years.
When storing your seeds, be sure to keep them consistently cool and dry. Temperature and moisture are the primary factors that cause seeds to lose their ability to germinate.
Excessive seed moisture increases its respiration rate, can contribute to the growth of micro-organisms, attract insect attack, and reduced viability. Most commercial seeds are dried to less than 10% moisture soon after harvest and held in dry storage during packaging and distribution.
Like moisture, temperature has an influence on the seed's respiration rate. As the temperature increases, so does the respiration rate.
For short-term storage (one year to eighteen months), storing seeds at 35 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and an air relative humidity of 30 to 40% is desired. The rule of thumb for good seed storage conditions is when degrees F + RH >= 100; the further you can go below 100, the better.
Aside from the conditions mentioned above, here are a few more guidelines:
- Store in the coolest, driest location available to you avoiding temperatures over 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions are easily met by placing a small packet of desiccant (which maintains a dry environment) into a tightly sealed, airtight (not airless), glass container and placed in your refrigerator.
- Make sure that the storage containers are moisture-proof.
- Maintain a fairly constant temperature.
Which Container To Store Them In And Where To Store Them?In general, longer seed storage life is obtained when seeds are kept dry and at low temperatures. Let (freshly harvested? - note from bagseed) seeds air-dry for several weeks before storing. Do this when the relative humidity is low and the air temperatures are warm. Spreading the seed out in direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours works well, as long as the seed temperature does not generally exceed 100°F. Drying the seed in shade is usually better. The dry seed should be placed in packages and stored in moisture-proof containers. Containers such as sealed cans or jars with air tight caps work satisfactorily. Storage temperatures between 35°F and 50°F are satisfactory when the moisture content of the seed is low.
An alternate method of keeping seeds dry is to place them in a sealed jar with calcium chloride, silica gel or powdered milk. These substances should not touch the seed. These products absorb moisture from the seeds. Use enough of the product or replace it as needed so that the moisture absorbed from the seed will produce no visible change in the product used.
This particular research paper from the same link above: http://www.seedcontainers.net/ contains four links to some excellent info, Please have a look, it's very interesting One of the links - "Long term seed preservation: The risk of selecting inadequate containers is very high" details an experiment where 40 commonly used seed storage containers were tested for their ability to keep out moisture, in a humid environment, for 3 years. Only four containers were adecquate to the task.
I think the most important point from the article is that the only container that performed well in the experiment, and can be easily obtained by almost everyone is: glass Kilner (Scotch) jars, with glass lids fastened on a red rubber seal, with a metallic joint and fastening device. You know the sort, everyone's seen those glass jars with the metallic clip top lid and the red rubber seal, #24 in the pic bellow. And most of you probably have an old one in your kitchen cupboard that you've had for years. Just make sure you get a new one because the rubber seal wears out over time. I had no trouble finding some at a local kitchen supplies store.
So after checking out all the info i decided to store my seeds in their original breeder packaging (usually small plastic clip top baggies) inside a couple of new Kilner jars, about 1/3 full of silica gel - the kind that changes colour when it absorbes moisture so that you can easily see when it needs to be removed, and dried out or replaced (i'm just using dried rice at the moment but i have found a couple of companies that sell the silica gel that changes colour, i just have to call them and see if they will mail me some), and the Kilner jars are stored in the bottom of my fridge, inside a small esky (cooler box? dont know what you foreigners call it, but we call it an esky, lol) to protect them from light, and to reduce any temperature fluctuations caused by opening the door, etc. I also have a small jar with a little bit of water in it sitting on top of the esky so that i can see if the fridge gets to cold and starts freezing things - a fairly common occurance in winter, as i'm sure your all aware. Just turn up the temp. dial on your fridge a little bit to fix it.
To begin with i considered storing them in the freezer, but quickly killed that idea when i learned that they have to remain frozen and any thawing and re-freezing (power black-out or repairs, moving house, etc) would ruin the seeds. I also thought about a vacum sealed container, but learned on the above site that seeds need oxygen to remain alive and viable.
I have had bagseed thats been laying around in drawers for 5-6 years or more sprout fine with a 50 to 100% germ rate, but when it comes to expensive beans from top breeders, i think that the best storage conditions you can provide is the only way to go.
If anyone has any info or links to add to the topic, please do
Cheers all, happy seed storing
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