Storing seeds

[neongreen]

So is it better to keep them in a 38degree fridge or to freeze them to 0degrees?

If you plan to use them within 3-4 years, then bung them in the fridge. No point in putting them through a freeze/thaw cycle if you don't have to.

For longer term storage, put them in the freezer.

Also if freezing them would it be best to refrigerate them for a few days then freeze so the temp change is somewhat gradual or just go straight to the freezer?

As far as I know there is no evidence for this being beneficial, but I reckon it's more likely that when you take them out from the freezer, it might be a good thing to let them thaw out slowly in the fridge first. Just a hunch though!

 

[Wonderon]

Thanks. I hope I don't have to store them for that long lol. Got 4 new varieties to work with and I'm only planning to do one at a time unless I get a keeper then I will clone from it and do a few crops. Might have to keep males around so I can make my next generation of seeds, haven't figured out that plan yet.

 

[Wonderon]

How long can you keep a seed viable for in a freezer? Would be good to know in case I ever want to save some long term.

 

[mellofello]

Don't have beans to be stored really but I've read oldtimer1 say that its better to use the silica gel. It was suggested in that thread by him or someone else that rice can go off whilst reusable silica gel won't.

peace

mello

 

[neongreen]

How long can you keep a seed viable for in a freezer? Would be good to know in case I ever want to save some long term.

10, 20, perhaps even 30 years or longer. Some seeds will die over time, but that would only be a small percentage as long as they are properly stored, and not thawed out till needed.

Stability, keeping the seeds at a constant low temp., and dark, is the key.

 

[joaquin386]

According to SamS

Storing Seeds -> I do not use silica as in the past it has dried out the seeds so much it cracked them open. I do make sure the seeds are well dryed, a bit below 10%.
I have saved fresh seeds well dryed, for 20 years frozen at -30 in a freezer, they germinated 100%, before and after the freezing.
Paper bags in a dry room for a few months will do it (dry the seeds).

 

[Londinium]

I've had Silica crack my seeds also in the past,and rice can carry bacteria's so I dont use a dessicant anymore just make sure they are dried properly and I have no probs at all...If U need a dessicant you are NOT drying them properly,or you're not confident how dry they should be and you need to be sure! JBo

 

[ralex59]

Hello. I am pretty new to these. Can you gentlemen give me an advice for the safest storage of seeds for no more then a couple of month. Will greatly appreciate ASAP feedback.
Thanks.
Alex.

 

[DevilsReject]

I store my seeds in the fridge in the plastic zippys they came in and inside a tin from nirvana seedbank.