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Reisterstown,Maryland

is it possible to store seeds for more then one growing season? if so how long can you store them for?
also what are some good methods?
thanks for any help Fatefinder

12/30/2001 5:25:30 PM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

You can store seeds as long as you want and it doesn't really matter how you store them.
Now if you want them to germinate after storing them then that is a different matter. Last year I planted two seeds that were 6 years old and one that was 5 years old and they did fine. A cool/cold/frozen place that is dark works well. Some people place them in the freezer (make sure they are well dried first), others in the fridge any place that is cool will work. Keep them in an air tight container, water will ruin them.
I have no idea what the record is as far as the oldest seed ever grown.

12/30/2001 6:08:43 PM

Ankeny, Iowa

Seeds can be stored for a number of years. I stored some squash seeds for over 5 years and they still grew a 4 pound squash. some good methods are kepping them away from intense heat and moisture. Also they should not be stored below 55 degrees farenheight. Those are some good methods to go by. I heard of a grower that put his good seeds in his barn and it got up to 100 degrees that day. when he went out to check on them they had been roasted. I hope this information helps you store your seeds.

12/30/2001 6:08:46 PM

Roanoke Il

I've read somewhere that seeds have germinated 10,000 years old seeds if stored in the right conditions. I think that they where found up near the artic. I store mine in a freezer, I've talk with a grower that has been growing for over 15 years and he says that the will germinate even that old. I think that if you go back more than 10 years the genetics aren't as go as to days seeds. I would freeze them if you have some older seeds that you are thinking of growing in a few years. mark

12/30/2001 8:01:27 PM

Utah

I store mine in a zip lock in a jar in the freezer.
make sure they are throughly dried first.
I've heard that a general rule of thumb for germination
is 10% loss of viability of the original group per year.

1/2/2002 10:52:25 AM