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Re: storing seeds for better germination

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

do you guys have any suggestions for how to move seeds in jars that have
been in the refrigerator?  I'm moving in a couple months to Texas (from
California) and I want to make sure that I don't kill my seeds in the
fridge.  Won't just taking them out of the fridge cause moisture
problems in the sealed jars. I've got a packet of dry milk powder
wrapped in tissue in each jar, as a dessicant. Any suggestions.  thanks

kim, zone 9b, so cal

Kevin Henson wrote:
> 
> Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html
> 
> I learned that there are two factors that affect the seeds ability to
> germinate.  Humidity and high temperature.
> 
> According to J.F. Harrington, Seed physiologist, Department of Vegetable
> Crops, University of California, Davis;
> 
> For each 1% decrease in seed moisture the life of the seed is doubled.
> 
> For each 10  degrees drop in storage temperature the life of the seed is
> doubled.
> 
> An illustration: Onion seeds of 14% moisture content stored at 90 degrees F
> died in one week.  However, some of that same seed was dried to 6% moisture
> and stored in a sealed container so it could not regain moisture.  After 20
> years, this portion still germinated as well as when it was harvested.
> Therefore, you must first dry seed to a safe level, then put it in a
> container that will keep it dry, and store it in a cool place.
> 
> He also said not to dry the seed out in direct sunlight.  He said to spread
> the seed out onto a screen or flat surface off the ground and in the shade,
> and let dry for a week.  (Now this is in California where there is usually a
> low humidity in the air)
> 
> In fall or during periods of humid weather, the seed may be similarly dried
> indoors where the temperature is above 70 degrees and preferable in the
> 80's.  A good place is in front of the heat outlet of your refrigerator.
> 
> Mason jars were recommended for the moisture proof container.
> 
> He also said storage temperature is not as important as thoroughly drying
> and sealing seed to keep it dry, but it is important.  The seed should be
> stored at room temperature or cooler, below 75 degrees is better.  He said a
> cool cellar is better.
> Still better is a refrigerator (about 45 degrees F).  For very long storage,
> a deep freeze is fine.  The seed will not be harmed if it is properly dried
> before freezing.  When removing seed from the freezer, handle carefully and
> let it come to room temperature before doing anything with it  because it is
> very fragile when frozen.
> 
> Insects may be a seed-storage problem, but at refrigerator or freezer
> temperature they are not active and therefore do no harm.
> If a nut-sized piece of dry ice is put in the jar before sealing and allowed
> to sublime, the air will mostly be replaced with carbon dioxide which will
> kill the insects and yet not harm the dry seed.
> Seal the container to keep the carbon dioxide in.
> 
> Seeds obtained from wet fruits, such as tomatoes and muskmelons,  you need
> to scoop the seeds out or squeeze them out into a glass container and let
> them ferment at room temperature for a day or two.  Then wash the juice off
> through a sieve or screen and dry as described for dry harvest seeds.  Do
> not exceed 95 degrees drying temperature in drying seeds.
> 
> Sorry for the running off at the mouth.  But I just thought some of you
> might be interested.
> 
> I took this information from my text that we had when I went the the M.G.
> program.
> 
> Hope it might help.
> 
> I know when ever I wanted to keep seeds for a couple of years I always put
> them in the fridge.  It works.


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