Can seed be kept in the little plastic bags people send them in, or should they be put into paper envelopes? Seems I heard something about this one time...
Carol
Seed storage question
I keep my seeds in little plastic bags, but I make sure the seeds are dry first... I also don't store mine in the fridge because my house is cool....
cg
I have kept my seeds for years in paper envelopes with great success. This year I planted some cantalope seed that had been stored in paper for 8 years and had 100% success! I think that as long as your seeds are good and dry you will be ok to store them in plastic. Just watch that humidity! I don't know where Emory is, but I can assure you that here in Dublin we rarely have humidity! lolololol Best of luck with your seeds!
Belinda :-)
It seems I heard something about them not being able to breathe in plastic but I can't remeber for sure. Have you ever heard that?
I store my seeds for a few months in paper then transfer to plastic portion cups. The paper helps absorb any moisture left.. Once I'm sure they are dry, I'll transfer them to plastic portion cups. The cups are then put into a large cake tin which is stored on a shelf out of sunlight.
I recently tried some Cocks Comb seeds harvested in 1998 that were stored that way and had 95% germination. The same with 1999 harvested Calendula and Balsam.
X
This message was edited Oct 10, 2006 1:08 AM
That is a very good system! Where so you get the little cups?
Carol
I got them from Ebay They come in handy for a lot of things.
X
I always store my seeds in paper envelopes.................... In a tupperware box in a cupboard out of the sunlight!!!!!
I too have germinted seeds from 1990's..............
Mark
Yardqueen-
This is how I store mine until they are dry:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/658330/
Once dry, I dole them out into the small plastic craft baggies for trades, or sale.
If you are unsure if they are all the way dry, you can always include a little silica packet. (those little packets that come in vitamin bottles, or shoe boxes.)
The advantage of a paper, or glassine envelopes, is that they can "breathe'', but they can also get wet, again, and mold.
I like the plastic, because once I've dried them, and put them into plastic, I know they will STAY dry.
-T
The best place is somewhere dark and cool and dry etc.
The fridge is a good place in either paper or plastic sealable bags. If you use plastic put some paper in to soak any condensation. Also allow to heat up to room temp before opening. If you store in the house or shed etc the temp can alter alot. This decreases the life of seeds.
Some people tell you about the long life they may get from the way they store there seeds. Some seeds have a long life and some have short lives even in the fridge.
Just think the way the professionals do it! They wouldn't spend the money if they didn't have to! Lol
Mike