saving seeds for next year - what do you save them in?

This will be my first year trying to collect seeds and saving them properly. Would like to know how most people save their's? Let's say seeds are ready to be saved, what do you put your seed's in and where do you store them for the next year? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless,
Keith

keith..

I put my seeds in coin envelopes, labeled, and then into glass jars and store them in the fridge. (This is in reference to mostly tomato seeds, cucurbits, peppers.)

Corn and beans/peas I've easily stored in the deep freeze (for years!) and have had them in anything from paper bads to freezer bags and they've stored very well!

Flower seeds seem to do just fine a room temp.

What kind of seeds are you interested in saving? Just curious.

Shoe.

Shoe,
I want to get a greenhouse and start growing just about everything and anything from seed. Lots of different flowers but also vegtable seeds.I really appreciate you answering. I was beginning to think no one wanted to help with this question for some reason.
Thanks,
Keith

Maybe it's just been a busy week for folks, hence the delay in your answer? I sure know it's our super-duper busy season here and when I do get time to hit the computer it's not always w/enough time on my hands to view a lot of the forums.

However, depending on the types of seeds, you'll find it pretty easy to save and store. Hope you can get a greenhouse up soon, you'll love it!

I fold up a piece of paper to make a self-locking seed pouch and then store it in a plastic shoebox at room temperature. Thus far, no problems.

'Course I plant or otherwise divulge myself of the seeds each year so I don't have to worry about true long-term viability.

I'm a diabetic and I have been thinking about using the little vials that the drums for my glucose-monitoring machine come in. They're a little shorter than the old film canisters, and they have a very tight seal. Good idea or not?

The film canister idea works for seeds. I know that my old supervisor seeds in film canisters -- these were for research purposes, so it was important to keep the seeds viable. These were kept in a large container with desiccant (silica gel) to make sure that the moisture didn't get them (our lab is quite humid, so you may not need this if you keep the canisters ina dry place). If you wanted to use a desiccant, you could use rice or oatmeal as a desiccant if you don't have the silica gel. You could also keep those annoying little envelopes full of silica that come in boxes of shoes
I

Can you use really small plastic bags to put seeds in. I am collecting echincea magnus.
Thanks

I use small bags with the seals on the top, but put a piece of dry paper in to stoak any condensation. Then they are in the fridge. If you use desicant you can dry the seed out completely. If they get wet they will rot. Cool but not frosty cold is the best thing for nearly all seeds.
Mike

Edited cause i can't spell

This message was edited Sep 14, 2006 4:05 PM

So, how do you know if the seeds you are collecting are "dry" enough? I just harvested some liatris seeds tonight - first time I've done that!!! :) My young daughters are helping me collect seeds this fall, but I want to save them for planting in the spring. I plan on using the paper templates included in the DG extras. So, how do I know if the seeds are dry enough to store? Thanks!!!

Jacci

Seeds are usually brown or black when ready. The flower head looks dead and/or the seeds come off really easily. If you aren't sure, put them on a plate or in a bowl for a couple of days to dry.

I store my seeds in the plastic coin bags, you can print off your own seed envelops too. Do a search on the internet for making seed packet.

Here is a couple:

http://theseedsite.co.uk/envelope.html
http://www.angelfire.com/art2/flowox43055/template/seedtemplate.html

I use the #5 1/2 manila coin envelopes. THey don't have a metal clasp, so no rust or oxidation. I use a resealable tape on the closure.

Thanks, jburesh :) I don't think all of my liatris was completely ready just yet. I did what you suggested and kept them in a dry place for 2 days. They fluffed out and definitely looked different afterwards. Thanks for the tip!

Jacci :)

Just found this thread.

I store my seeds in mini plastic zip bags. They are made for storing beads. You can get them at Wal-Mart in the craft dept. for about $1 for 100.

Be SURE your seeds are dry before putting them into the plastic envies or they will get moldy. I bring my seeds in, usually in a pot's drainage saucer, and let them dry out on the table or on top of the fridge for a week or so. Just put them somewhere that the kitty won't jump into them! lol.

I use little white sticky labels on the envies. Write them out before putting them on. Use a pen that won't run or smear, even if it gets wet.

Then I have a photo box I got at Big Lots that all my seeds go into. It's basically a big, pretty shoe box. It has dividers I made out of card stock (think coupon box). Each divider has two holes punched in the bottom of it. The holes have small dowels running through them that are cut to fit tightly into the bottom of the box. Then I put "flags" on the dividers to alphabetize them. Behind each divider is a paper envelope with "A", "B", "C", etc. written on it. The corresponding seeds are put in those envies so they are easy to find. I organize my seeds by common name just because that's easier for me.

It sounds like a lot of set up, but it really wasn't. It was worth it to have a very organized seed box. I can find any seed whenever I need it, as long as I put it away where it belongs!

Some folks don't like the plastic envies, but I like to be able to see how many seeds are in the envies and what condition they are in without opening the envie and having to tape or glue it shut. No seeds are lost to tape or glue.

Also, when writing info on labels for seeds I've found it's a good idea to keep the following info when possible...
Common name (Forget-Me-Not)
Botanical name (Myosotis Sylvatica)
Cultivar name (Victoria Rose)
Bloom/Foliage color
Year harvested
Trader received from
Sowing info (depth, cold treatment, etc)
Plant height, spacing
Light requirements

Here's some pics, in this pic a piece of paper was typed out and put in the plastic envie rather than using a label, but you get the idea.

Hope this helps y'all set up a nice organized system for your seeds. I've been using mine for a couple of years now and it's well worth the hour or so it takes to set it up.
Heather

I use a combo of things to store seed in depending upon the seed. I use old prescription bottles. Zip lock baggies. And I got this nifty little kit from Wal-mart in the arts and crafts section. It's a larger clear plastic case with like 20 or so smaller clear plastic cases that fit inside... they look like tic-tac containers. And I always add a bit of rice to each seed saving thing I use to absorb and residual moisture.

Donna

Donna, adding rice is a great idea! I've never heard of that. I keep wanting to add it to my salt and sugar containers but never get around to it. I bet you it'll get added to my seeds first, lol.

heathrjoy,

Thanks... but everybody does it. I learned to do it from here. All you need is a pinch of rice. Not a lot.

My husband thinks I'm gonna grow rice one day.

Take care,
Donna