Storing seeds in a freezer a no no?

[Penguin59]

Hi everyone,

Not sure if this is the right place on the forum for this topic but here goes.

In all the cannabis growing books I've read, all authors say that if you're planning on storing your seeds for more than two to three years that you should keep them in an airtight container and in the freezer. However, most of the opinions that I've read on the internet and in forums say that storing seeds in a freezer damages the cellular structure of the seeds and can potentially make them non-viable.

After receiving some seeds recently that I don't plan on using for a while, I'm wondering what the safest way would be to store them and still keep them viable?

Anyway, I'd love to know what everyone's thoughts on the matter are and hear how you keep your seeds on a long-term basis. Please help contribute to the poll above too!

Penguin

 

[Guest 263194]

airtight container/ in the fridge.

 

[DeoXy]

Air tight tupper, a glass mason jar, or any jar with a rubber gasket seal would work.. stored in fridge/veggie drawer is where I keep mine and they have stayed perfectly viable for years ASSUMING the seeds were all good to begin with..

 

[Penguin59]

Thanks for stopping by, DTF and DeoXy!

Sounds like an airtight container in the fridge will do the trick then

Can anyone confirm if storing seeds in a freezer would damage them in any way?

Penguin

 

[dasher65]

This pops up every now and again!!!

For what it's worth I've been storing seeds in the freezer in air tight containers for over 25 years and they always sprout. I've still got a few strains dating back to the mid 80's (Which reminds me I must PM ojd 'bout these)

 

[Behind_The_Mask]

ive always stored mine like DeoXy tupperware in the veggie drawer i never have problems with germination. im glad to read what dasher wrote I might pop some in the freezer

 

[supermanlives]

i do both. freezing works well if you keep the temps stable. i put mine in back of freezer at bottom.

 

[Penguin59]

Hey there dasher65, Behind_The_Mask and supermanlives!

From all of your inputs, it sounds like the fridge is the most benign method of storing seeds. It's good to hear from dasher65's experience though that LONG, long-term storage in a freezer won't hurt the beans too much! lol Something to keep in mind.

I've packed up my DJ Short Blueberry seeds that I've been saving for a rainy day in an airtight container and have placed them way in the back of my veggie crisper. I've also shut off the humidity entry valve on that drawer just for good measure

Penguin

 

[Iraganji]

I put a little bit of rice in a mason jar with the seed packs, seal it up and store it in the fridge.

 

[dnabud]

seed wont sprout after several days can i freeze it

seed wont sprout after several days can i freeze it

i have a seed wont sprout after several days can i freeze it then try to sprout again?

 

[supermanlives]

if seeds are really dry freezer is the way to go long term. i let my seeds dry totally around 30 days cause i am lazy and have no issues with freezing. i keep other half in fridge to play with at will.pulling seeds in and out of freezer should be done quick.IMHO but i aint no pro.

 

[dasher65]

Hey Penguin I'm no expert but for refernce there is a tunnel created in the permafrost near Sweden where they'e storing food crop seeds from all over the world for long term frozen storage. If everything goes to shit then they have a comprehensive seed bank of food crops to start over again. If it works for normal seeds then it'll work for canna too.

I'll search the web to see if I can found a link to the story

Svalbard Global Seed Vault


Millennium Seed Bank Project

 

[Penguin59]

Wow mate, you just blew my mind hole with those links.

I had zero idea that a place like that existed so thanks for the knowledge, hero. Now that I think of it, that's one of the smartest things human beings have ever undertaken.

Lol and you're right, if it works for these guys, it just might work for cannabis too!

Penguin

 

[Wascally Wabbit]

I don't see a problem with the seeds in the freezer. they overwinter in nature.

 

[manpan]

Moisture is the issue with freezing. You have to make sure the seeds are completely dry before freezing. I use an indicating dessicant and leave in the fridge for a week or so. When you are sure there is no more moisture in the seeds, you can then put in the freezer.

See, if the seeds are moist, the ice crystals are what destroys the cells.