FYI: Storage of Pumpkin Seed

Hello:

I came across an article about the national seed storage lab in Colorado -
there web page is www.ars-grin.gov/nssl/nsslmain.html - this is a lab that
contains the largest and most diverse collection of seeds in the western
world  > 275,000 seed samples are stored there.  They use liquid nitrogen
for long term seed storage  (hundreds of years) and for short term storage
(up to 100 years) the seeds are stored at 18 degrees Celsius.  I sent the
following emails about pumpkin seed storage and got these replies::::

 
Hi,

I am an avid (backyard) grower of Atlantic Giant Pumpkins in Denver.  I was
wondering what would be the recommended approach for me to store my pumpkin
seeds? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

	Kevin 

	> > -----Original Message-----
	> > From: Jim Bruce [SMTP:JIMBRUCE@lamar.colostate.edu]
	> > Sent: Monday, February 08, 1999 1:04 PM
	> > To:   Kevin.Holman@bentley.com
	> > Subject:      Storage of Pumpkin Seed
	> >
	> > Storage of pumpkin seed in Colorado is very simple.  The main
factor for
	> > long storage and maintaining the viability of the seed is that
they are as
	> > dry as possible.  In Colorado the relative humidity is low, thus
you
	> > need just air dry them.  This should take a couple of weeks. To
maintain
	> > this low humidity, place the seed in a ziploc bag of appropriate
size.
	> > Be sure to leave some air in the bag when you seal it.  The bag
of seeds
	> > should then be placed in as cool a spot as you can find in your
home.
	> > Don't put them in the refrigerator.  The refrigerator contains a
high
	> > relative humidity and this could age the seed at an accelerated
pace.
	> > Seed stored this way will retain its viability for up to 5 or
more
	> > years.
	> >
	> > I hope this answers your question.
	> >                                                         Jim
Bruce
	> >                                                         National
Seed
	> > Storage Laboratory
	> >

	> Jim,
	>
	> Thanks for your response.  I have heard of people storing their
seeds in the
	> freezer - would this be recommended?
	>
	> Kevin


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Jim Bruce [SMTP:JIMBRUCE@lamar.colostate.edu]
> Sent:	Tuesday, February 09, 1999 8:18 AM
> To:	Kevin Holman
> Subject:	Re: Storage of Pumpkin Seed
> 
> Yes, you can freeze the seed.  Again, the main thing is to have the seed
> as dry
> as possible and sealed so that the seeds cannot take up moisture while
> being
> stored.  Freezing will definitely prolong the storage life of the seeds.
> 
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