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Webster, NY

I have a dorm size refrigerator in the basement that would work out well for keep seeds in. However, most people have said that a freezer is better. Would keeping them in a refrigerator be all right, or shouldn't I bother and just find room in the freezer? Should I put them in a tupperware container to protect them a little? This has probably been asked before, but I seem to have lost the post or have forgotten. Thanks

Dave

1/17/2003 10:17:06 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

If you dry and wrap properly I believe in the freezer. There's a reason country folk have done it for years.
I wrap my seed in freezer paper and seal in freezer bags. Has always worked well for me, no problem with mold or bacteria.

1/17/2003 10:50:02 AM

Washington, The Evergreen State

You would think that in the interest of extending the storage life of seeds that the growers could get together and come up with just one standard way of seed storage. That is, the seeds would be collected, and then cleaned, dried, stored in a certain type of package or container, dried to a certain moisture level, stored at a certain moisture level, stored at a certain temperature, and stuff like that.

1/18/2003 12:03:49 PM

[email protected]

Another question on the same line. Do you store seeds seperately. If you have 5 of the same seed do you store them together or one per container or bag.
Eddy

1/18/2003 6:11:14 PM

Washington, The Evergreen State

I store my seeds in a large glass jar. Of course, everything is cleaned. And then I’ll put some DRI-Z-AIR into a plastic kitchen shaker (you know, like what might used for sprinkling salt and such in a kitchen) and place it into the jar. Then I’ll wad up a few sheets of paper and lay them in along side the kitchen shaker to help hold it in place. And then along with the seeds I’ll add a small combination hygrometer/thermometer and seal the lid. I try and keep the relative humidity between 20-30%, which should produce a seed moisture level of about 4-6%. And I store the jar in a cool area.

1/18/2003 7:40:53 PM

Deer Park WA

My two educated cents, the lower the temperature the less molecular activity you have. That is why your corn dogs and stuff lasts damned near a life time in the freezer before going nasty, the colder the freezer the longer they last. The same holds true for seeds. Moisture is the killer in a frozen environment as it causes cellular disruption. Once properly cured and packaged a seed in a cryogenic atmosphere of 460 degrees below zero (absolute zero, no molecular activity) would be preserved in a state of suspended animation indefinatly. A freezer with a temp of zero should keep dried seeds viable for 18 to 23 years. The FDA already has a sliding scale they use for meat and vegitable products that tells a retailer how long certian products can be displayed under refrigeration. Check out a web search for suspended animation, or cryogenics....

1/19/2003 2:38:21 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Check out the other seed storage post...many questions answered.

1/19/2003 4:59:50 PM

Montoursville, PA

I should think in addition to cold or freezing that vacuum packing would make sense.

1/19/2003 6:49:27 PM

Sequim, WA

I put my seed in the envelopes they come in, in large plastic jars. I add a few dessicant packs and keep them either in my freezer, or under my desk in my basement, depending on how much room is in the freezer. I had a hog in there in the fall and a lot of frozen berries and produce from the garden so they've been downstairs for a while. Do I worry that a seed from 1992 won't germinate for me because of this? No, I don't have any that old. I figure they will be fine this way for quite some time. I don't worry much about it because there are always new seeds, if I haven't planted them after 5 or 6 years odds are they won't get planted. If you really want to go with old seed, plant backups. It's really the only way to be certain you be growing pumpkins instead of weeds.

1/20/2003 4:37:13 AM

Connecticut, USA

This thread has been edited by me. Just stop with the personal attacks now. EVERYONE involved got a warning so don't feel singled-out if you got one. I am sick of your bickering and I am going to start restricting access to repeat offenders. Please just knock it off.

1/20/2003 6:49:19 AM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

Thank you Ken.
H-K-J

1/20/2003 9:36:28 AM

Indiana

Ken,
Have I ever told you how much I love you? I love you man!!!

Tom Beachy

1/20/2003 12:38:20 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I apologize Ken.

1/20/2003 6:56:55 PM

Down Stream

I was a redneck once on here. That will not happen again Ken. Apology.

1/21/2003 4:19:02 PM