U-Line currently has some of their 2mil (for seeds) reclosable bags on sale for as little $9 per 1,000. Yes 1,000 is a lot, but even with shipping it is probably 1/10th what you would pay in the store. Check it out at http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_208.asp , look for SALE in red on the listing. At checkout they even compute the cheapest shipping.
2 mil reclosable bags
George,
...I use VeriPack.com....always had the best price for me ;-)
........... $ 8.43 for 1000 2x3 zip bags ---s&h included
Is it better to store seeds in a closed plastic bag rather than a paper envelope?
I use both! LOL I store in paper until I am sure they are dry, then put the paper inside plastic to save for the following year.
If they are really dry - I under stand that seeds will stay viable longer in plastic. I prefer the writable type with the white strip.
Azalea,
....yep those bags are nice but I write on the plain ones too.
.........It'a a guessing game tho..dry enough so the seed will not rot/mildew -or-
Too dry and loose viability.
.......I dry my seed on paper towels,then on to new pt's folded 'loosely'( lika a 'Burrito' ),labeled and loose rubberband to prevent accidental spills.This can be inspected daily for any bad seeds. Usually a couple weeks till dry enough to check for germination,if you care to.Do you have any idea how painful it is to throw out the sprouts from these tests :-(
...........The size of the seed = equals drying time.
When I am sure they are dry ,they are put in a paper bag and/or plastic bag...........then in an air tight container in a cool dark place.
We all have our own ways to do things,any comments here ('-'?) We are all ears..lol
.........OOPSIE,George,sorry I used so much room on your thread,I owe you.....;-)
shirley >^,,^< SB
George4tax there is a parcel coming your way!! CanadaPost
says 6-9 days...hope they are right!
I save the moisture collecting(I think it is correctly called dessicant)containers that come in many pill bottles and use it in my seed packets. Dry milk powder will also collect moisture.
I save up all of those desicant packets (Silica gel) and use them in many things, seeds included. Storing items in the shop (like "biscuits" that swell, or tools that rust) really benefit from "DO NOT EAT" thingies.
I would be afraid of powdered milk - I would think it could introduce bad things, but look what google came up with
http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/horticulture/g503.htm calcium chloride, silica gel or powdered milk
I am a little confused about how to use silica gel, etc. according to that hyperlink. It says do not let it touch the seeds but doesn't say whether the seed should be in plastic (open or closed?) or paper or what...can anyone explain this to me? Thanks.
I think it would mean that the silica gel needs to be enclosed as in those little paper envelopes. The Gel doesent touch the seeds. I think when it collects the moisture it would stick to the seeds????
Azalea, it says the same thing about using calcium chloride or powdered milk. It would be great to use powdered milk snce it is cheap and easy to get but how would you put it in little packets? I can see myself printing out a bunch of seed packets from DG and then filling them with powdered milk instead of the seeds! LOL
I use small paper envelopes for seed saving. Then all envelopes into a large zip lock bag, containing dried milk wraped in a paper towel. Then into the fridge. The dried milk is changed every 4 to 6 months. The paper envelopes are easy to write on, and easy to ship via bubble wrap envelopes.
Thank you Golddog. Now the light is dawning in the dark recesses of my brain. I have lots of loose silica gel for drying flowers. I guess I could use your method with that.
I would think you could package up the silica in pieces of old panty hose. Stuff it in a section of hose, twist it tight and close off with a rubber band of hunk of twine, then cut off the excess hose. That would allow absorbtion without direct contact with the seed. The commercial ones come in little plastic doodads, or very small feed sacks.
More good ideas. Thanks George! By the way, how's the potted shrimp?
Ummmmmmmmmmmm! Good!
#:^)