From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

Thought it would be interesting and perhaps helpful to some to know what method people use to store their seed libraries. I'm using one of those nut and bolt, odds and ends type unit with the little plastic drawers in it. Also those who reply might offer what they think the best climate conditions are to store our precious gems.

11/11/2002 7:26:15 PM

North Ga

I keep mine in jars in the fridge. (No Groceries)

11/11/2002 8:31:16 PM

Key West, FL

plastic zip-lock bag in the fridge.

11/11/2002 9:37:59 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

i store my seeds in a mason jar in a dark cool place with a desiccant pack in it....works for me:)

billy

11/11/2002 10:00:21 PM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

tupperware in the freezer

11/11/2002 10:50:35 PM

Caceres, Spain

To use next year, in paper bags in a dry, cool place. To store long, in the freezer.

11/12/2002 1:19:15 AM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

I'm talking about your library seeds, from other growers that you have aquired over the years..not your own. Even I have 20 -25 #1 coin envelopes with 2 to 3 seeds in them each..where are you guys storing those..certainly not in mason jars or the fridge cause I know a few of you that would need a whole seperate house if you did....hehe

11/12/2002 5:10:09 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Fishing Tackle boxes, the flat clear see-through ones.

Glenn

11/12/2002 8:16:35 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Tupperware in the Freezer, But it's best to put a label on it because, if the wife cleans the freezer, you don't want her to throw them out

11/12/2002 11:12:53 AM

Utah

in a zip lock with dessicant in a jar in the freezer.

11/12/2002 1:07:06 PM

Ankeny, Iowa

I store all of mine in a plastic rubbermaid lock box under my bed.

11/12/2002 5:05:10 PM

Key West, FL

like i said, in a zip lock in the fridge

11/12/2002 6:01:48 PM

Ga.

Fireplace mantel in a wooden box until now...Why the freezer??

11/12/2002 6:25:52 PM

North Ga

Hey Jeff, I think you need to follow "natures way" and give them a good freeze for better germination next season. Most seed comes from the cold!!!!! LOL!!!

11/12/2002 7:25:58 PM

North Ga

That's why I am keeping some in the freeze, some in the fridge, and some @ room temp. "Learning in North Ga".

11/12/2002 7:29:12 PM

New Brunswick

Have any of you had problems with black appearing on your drying seeds? They still germinate.....even tho one would think it might be mould. It is simply a black colour appearing over half of a seed...there does not appear to be any mould whatsoever. Only some of them have done this.

11/12/2002 8:37:08 PM

Ga.

spray with a water /bleach solution Desert...

11/12/2002 8:39:54 PM

Utah

jeff-
freezer... don't have any data to back it up ...
but i think they last longer in the freezer.
... plus my kids could reach them if they were
in the fridge.

11/13/2002 8:43:00 AM

Southern Illinois

freezer in freezer bags,plastic bags in the garage,coffee cans in the garage,dash on 65 all winter,fridge in butter containers,fridge in freezer bags,closet in the house,have some stored at my mom and dads,under the couch,in the couch,will dig them out next spring,on top of the cabinet just laying there in a bag,just about every where i have them,but the seed that people have sent me,i bought a small fridge that i keep them in with lock and key.

11/13/2002 10:01:56 AM

Southern Illinois

hello desert storm,i have a few do that every year,mine do it when the seed are stuck together when they are drying, then i break them apart, there will be a black spot only where it was attached,i just put in bag with the rest so i do not have any idea if they still germinate.

11/13/2002 10:11:02 AM

Sequim, WA

I keep mine in large plastic jars in the basement. I throw a few dessicant packs in with them to keep moisture controlled. I have had them in the freezer in the past but had to make room when I bought a hog my nephew raised for FFA. I got some black mold spots on my own seed when it dried a couple years ago. I prevent it now by rinsing the seeds with a little bleach in the water before drying them.

11/13/2002 11:49:16 AM

No Place Special

I use a three ring binder and keep them in the plastic sheets designed to hold baseball cards. They fit perfect, and works great for me. You can flip through it and find what your looking for really quick. Right now the binders are in the closset, but I may be moving them into the spare frig in the basement. Would like to hear more opinions on the refrigerating/ freezing issue.

Mike

11/13/2002 2:05:06 PM

Kentucky - USA

I think putting them in the freezer is ok for a short time.

I know alot of people that keeps seeds in the freezer but they always plant them all in the spring.

I would be kind of scared they might get freezer burned if they was kelped in there for a long time.

Would that do anything to them?

Tim

11/13/2002 6:38:15 PM

Riverton, WY

According to the following web site, once seeds are dried to an optimum moisture content:

http://www.ars-grin.gov/nssl/preserve/tour/Prestour.htm

"CONVENTIONAL VAULT AREA:
The individual storage units have walls with six inches of insulation and are metal covered. Temperature is kept at -18° C."

"The life expectancy of a seed sample stored in this vault is from 20 to 50 years. Because of the variability of seed longevity, periodic retesting is done to identify regeneration needs."

11/13/2002 8:16:30 PM

Deer Park WA

Stunner,

I store mine in a old bubble pacs from trading partners (that way I have there addresses) in the freezer, first I dry them some more, spingle on a little Captain, and then straight to the freezer......

Best wishes,

Gadberry

11/13/2002 10:05:10 PM