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Re: storing seeds for better germination

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

Hmmmm maybe an ice chest and use lots of those kinds of "ice bags" that are
dry.  The kind you put in the freezer and they Keep things cold.   The only
problem is how to keep them cold during the drive.

 Maybe even dry ice, I know that is how they transport medical supplies and
"other" things that need to stay cold.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Kiernan <kkiernan@home.com>
To: Square Foot Gardening List <sqft@listbot.com>
Date: Thursday, September 02, 1999 3:00 PM
Subject: 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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