I have been reading up on seed storage lately and it seems there are a few different camps on how to store seeds and what method to do so. I am going to be using the fridge and am debating on using desiccant, rice, or cotton to help keep the seeds dry in the container they are stored in. I have read that some like desiccant, but have also read that desiccant could dry seeds out too much (I think sam the skunk man did some tests). So what do you use and what are your results like? How long has your method stretched the viability of your seeds that you have tested (1, 2, 5, years etc)? Also I am looking for some kind of small vials to store the seeds in, which will then be placed in canning jars, does anyone have any links or know where to get some nice small vials? I found some on amazon, but they have cork tops and I'm not sure if cork would be the best for our purposes?
Seed storage: desiccant vs. rice and methods
- Thread starter louie
- Start date
vicious bee
Member
I bought 10mL test tubes on ebay. They didn't have tops. I eventually found plastic multi-sized tops that fit. The tubes were only like 20 USD for a thousand or more.
I read a lot about storing seeds, pollen, etc. and the main thing seems to be getting it as dry as possible. I did a lot of searching and testing. I found the simplest way to dry is to use wheat flower and rice. I put rice and wheat flower in small jelly mason jars. I then put the jars in a toaster oven on very low temp. Maybe 125 Deg. F or less. You don't want to burn the wheat flower or rice. I leave it for about five days then put the top on the mason jars to keep moisture out. I did a test with all kinds of desiccants in mason jars and good old dried rice and wheat flower did great. I put two small humidity meters in the jars for several days with the rice and wheat flour and they read below 4% humidity. Regular desiccant crystals will not get below about 19% or some number there abouts. Calcium chloride I believe is the best desiccant but it's not super easy to get. They use it in water treatment and it's hard to find unless you want to buy a box car full. They used to use it in plaster but no more. I'm not sure if cannabis seeds are ruined by making them too dry. I know some seeds aren't. It would be nice if where you found that sam the skunk man test was linked here.
Most of the info I got by reading the lady who sets up seed storage for that seed bank Bill Gates and bunch of others made. Can't remember her name. Also read a lot of stuff on museum storage. For my purposes super dried rice is fine. So I don't look into this any more.
I read a lot about storing seeds, pollen, etc. and the main thing seems to be getting it as dry as possible. I did a lot of searching and testing. I found the simplest way to dry is to use wheat flower and rice. I put rice and wheat flower in small jelly mason jars. I then put the jars in a toaster oven on very low temp. Maybe 125 Deg. F or less. You don't want to burn the wheat flower or rice. I leave it for about five days then put the top on the mason jars to keep moisture out. I did a test with all kinds of desiccants in mason jars and good old dried rice and wheat flower did great. I put two small humidity meters in the jars for several days with the rice and wheat flour and they read below 4% humidity. Regular desiccant crystals will not get below about 19% or some number there abouts. Calcium chloride I believe is the best desiccant but it's not super easy to get. They use it in water treatment and it's hard to find unless you want to buy a box car full. They used to use it in plaster but no more. I'm not sure if cannabis seeds are ruined by making them too dry. I know some seeds aren't. It would be nice if where you found that sam the skunk man test was linked here.
Most of the info I got by reading the lady who sets up seed storage for that seed bank Bill Gates and bunch of others made. Can't remember her name. Also read a lot of stuff on museum storage. For my purposes super dried rice is fine. So I don't look into this any more.
KosmoKramer
Member
I store almost all of my seeds in the freezer. I use small amber glass vials with screw on tops. I put 10-15 grains of dry white rice in each bottle along with my seeds. I then place the vials' along with couple handfuls of rice in a small round tupperware thingy. This then gets put in the farthest back corner of the freezer.
When it comes time to germ, I take whatever seeds I want out from the freezer and place them in the fridge for a day or two to slowly thaw. Then another day or so at room temperature before I attempt to germ.
Recently took out 5 seeds that have been in the freezer since early 2007. Will be germing these shortly. I can post my results here if you'd like. Interested myself in seeing if they are still viable
When it comes time to germ, I take whatever seeds I want out from the freezer and place them in the fridge for a day or two to slowly thaw. Then another day or so at room temperature before I attempt to germ.
Recently took out 5 seeds that have been in the freezer since early 2007. Will be germing these shortly. I can post my results here if you'd like. Interested myself in seeing if they are still viable
KosmoKramer
Member
Had 5 seeds of a cross called Indikilla from IC member dc105. I received these early '07, been in the freezer since then.
My standard routine is to take the vial from the freezer and place it in the fridge for a day or 2 to "defrost". After there, it gets opened up and placed on the countertop to get to room temperature for a day. I then gently scuff the seams of the seeds before placing them in a small glass of Iron Mountain drinking water. Glass then gets placed in a warm spot (on top of my veg light) for a day or 2. If nothing by then, I then place them in a moist paper towel, inside a plastic baggie, in a warm dark place until they germ.
With these, 1 seed was cracked open when I opened the vial. Was probably like this when I first put them in storage. Other 4 where fine. I had tails poppin out after 2 days of soaking in the water
. And thats after almost 4 years in the freezer. This method definately works for long term storage IMO!
My standard routine is to take the vial from the freezer and place it in the fridge for a day or 2 to "defrost". After there, it gets opened up and placed on the countertop to get to room temperature for a day. I then gently scuff the seams of the seeds before placing them in a small glass of Iron Mountain drinking water. Glass then gets placed in a warm spot (on top of my veg light) for a day or 2. If nothing by then, I then place them in a moist paper towel, inside a plastic baggie, in a warm dark place until they germ.
With these, 1 seed was cracked open when I opened the vial. Was probably like this when I first put them in storage. Other 4 where fine. I had tails poppin out after 2 days of soaking in the water
. And thats after almost 4 years in the freezer. This method definately works for long term storage IMO!
KosmoKramer
Member
UPDATE
UPDATE
Out of the 4 that popped tails, it looks like 3 are healthy and doing fine. 1 poked its head and then just stopped.
All in all, a 75% success after close to 4 years in deep freeze isn't all that bad!
UPDATE
Out of the 4 that popped tails, it looks like 3 are healthy and doing fine. 1 poked its head and then just stopped.
All in all, a 75% success after close to 4 years in deep freeze isn't all that bad!
I need to ask if there are any scientific facts, etc. about storing your seeds dry and in the freezer. So far I have been using the airtight mason jar and using my safe. I believe they are that valuable. It will take me 3 to 5 years to grow all my seeds I now have. Should I switch them to the freezer in these mason jars? Or will they be ok a room temperature in my safe? Peace and Respect, MON
whatsupdoc
Member
Temperature seems to be key. Kept a bunch of seeds in my closet (room temperature, dark) for 2 to 3 years in a vacuum sealed ball jar. Lost about 80%, with the remainder ending up being all male.
Lesson learned, I now keep them in a rice-filled vacuum sealed jar in the fridge. You'll have to ask me in a few years if it works.
Lesson learned, I now keep them in a rice-filled vacuum sealed jar in the fridge. You'll have to ask me in a few years if it works.
From what I had read ideal storage temperature is around 7 degrees C and under 15% humidity.
Also, the is a thread on this around here called the official guide to storing seeds or something like that.
here you go: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=140233
Also, the is a thread on this around here called the official guide to storing seeds or something like that.
here you go: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=140233
BPJR
Member
I have a dedicated mini fridge for my bean collection. That way they don't get subjected to the constant temp swings do to the opening and closing of my kitchen fridge.
I have the original packs and some vials. First I take the seed packs and put them in mason jars. These get filled with rice and desiccant packs. This in-turn goes into a series of zip lock bags with further desiccant packs. Then into the fridge at about 40 degrees for long term storage.
IMO keeping the temp constant is very important. Swings can create humidity issues.
So far this has proven successful for me so far. I have had them like this for years and get a very high rate of germination from my seeds.
cheers,
-b
I have the original packs and some vials. First I take the seed packs and put them in mason jars. These get filled with rice and desiccant packs. This in-turn goes into a series of zip lock bags with further desiccant packs. Then into the fridge at about 40 degrees for long term storage.
IMO keeping the temp constant is very important. Swings can create humidity issues.
So far this has proven successful for me so far. I have had them like this for years and get a very high rate of germination from my seeds.
cheers,
-b
Last edited:
BPJR
Member
I went and checked my temps. They are actualy about 4 degrees C. Thats about 39.2 F
I have been putting seeds in plastic bags and then inside of film or medicine bottles or I just leave em in what they came in. I've got some old seeds in there from almost 10 yrs ago. When I get around to it i'll germ em and let ya'll know if i'll be kicking myself for not putting a dessicant in there so long ago. I've germed seeds a couple years old no problem with the way I currently store seeds but have been thinking more about preserving and not losing some of these gems I have but don't have time currently to get to. I may go the freezer route in the future. Ya'll take care 1
anywhere cool dark and dry. i just germed some 9 years old. i wouldnt leave desiccant in mine long term. but thats me. i believe sam S also has some opinions on this
I just did some 6 year old seeds. There all in there original breeder packs placed into a black sack and then into a large ziplock then into the frindge. Been using this for years.
InsanityRules
Member
I'd think you'd wanna mimmic nature? The fridge sounds like a good place to start. A dedicated fridge is where I'm heading now. Thanks for the thoughts on the subject. I have some seeds I can't live without yet can't get to at this time and would like to know most if not all have a chance at survival somewhere down the line.
I store mine in the baby ziplock baggies tucked in a old almond roca container. No desacant whatsoever. They look fine to me and some are as old as 2003 when I got em. Who knows how old they really are ??? They seem to still germ fine. I let em sit out in room temps for a day to get their groove on too then I germ em. Have had very acceptable results for years.
I think as long as their stored in a cool (I.E. Winter like), dark and dry condition they should be viable for years...
Cryogeneticaly freezing seeds would be the best option for decades of storeage for the serious seed whore though!
Just my .5 cent....I am an Amercian you know...Lol....
Take care and I wish you all the best of luck in finding what works best for your situation, I.R....
I store mine in the baby ziplock baggies tucked in a old almond roca container. No desacant whatsoever. They look fine to me and some are as old as 2003 when I got em. Who knows how old they really are ??? They seem to still germ fine. I let em sit out in room temps for a day to get their groove on too then I germ em. Have had very acceptable results for years.
I think as long as their stored in a cool (I.E. Winter like), dark and dry condition they should be viable for years...
Cryogeneticaly freezing seeds would be the best option for decades of storeage for the serious seed whore though!
Just my .5 cent....I am an Amercian you know...Lol....
Take care and I wish you all the best of luck in finding what works best for your situation, I.R....
Danki-Herbals
Member
i use desecant . i put some beads in they change color when theve absorbed moisture then put new ones in pop em in the air tight containers pop em into the frezze and boosh seed storage complete
Freakazoid44
Active member
A layer of dried rice in the bottom of a film canister. Throw in the seeds, put on the lid, into a zip-lock freezer baggie with other canisters, and into the fridge (use a less-used mini-fridge so mom and dad don't get any surprises or ask any questions when they visit).
I stopped growing for a while, and recently pulled out 8+ year old skunk #1s, as old C99s from the GN03 collection, and Amnesia 99 from JLP back in January of 05. Gave a friend a half dozen Northern Lights #5 (I think) as old as the skunks, they popped for him.
Got 4 out of six Skunk#1s to pop (probably could have had more if I waited longer, in retrospect). Got 4 out of 5 C99s to pop, some faster than others and one stopped growing once the first set of real leaves were out. (One out of the remaining three was a female, thank goodness. Revegged and cloned it.). All six of the Amnesias popped pretty quickly.
Hopefully I'll never have to test over that kind of time frame again, but I think my method can be considered a proven concept.
I stopped growing for a while, and recently pulled out 8+ year old skunk #1s, as old C99s from the GN03 collection, and Amnesia 99 from JLP back in January of 05. Gave a friend a half dozen Northern Lights #5 (I think) as old as the skunks, they popped for him.
Got 4 out of six Skunk#1s to pop (probably could have had more if I waited longer, in retrospect). Got 4 out of 5 C99s to pop, some faster than others and one stopped growing once the first set of real leaves were out. (One out of the remaining three was a female, thank goodness. Revegged and cloned it.). All six of the Amnesias popped pretty quickly.
Hopefully I'll never have to test over that kind of time frame again, but I think my method can be considered a proven concept.
I
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for cheap desecant you can get tidy cat kitty crystals by the gallon for about $10 at the store......i keep my seeds in 2" x 2" ziploc baggies that i got off amazon 1000 for $10... each strain labeled.... & placed in an oversized ziploc sandwhich bag placed in a plastic fogers coffee container in the fridge.....the best part of waking up is seeds in your cups lol.
