Making seed packets

This is the one I use if I am not using a ziplock. It includes the flaps for gluing. The softer grey line don't print, but the outline does, in very faint lines.

I do the same thing with word except my graphic is at the top with a text box underneath since I fold mine bottom to top rather than side to side.

I cut mine as a rectangle with no separate flaps and fold vertically rather than horizontally. That way there is not bottom seam for seads to leak through or stick too. I scotch tape the side from the outside and then fold over the longer end of the top over the other end and tape with scotch tape.

Planter, I love the vertical idea - thank YOU!!

I know I've posted this waaaaay too often, but it is a good idea to make web corners on your packets. This prevents seed leakage. I usually add inner packets since I've begun collecting really tiny seeds, but the webbed corners can save a lot of seed loss.

Doesn't using tape (instead of glue) serve the same function. It provides a complete seal along open edges and since I fold mine vertically, there are no bottom corners to seal, just the sides. I've found that the extra flaps and glue end up in more seed loss from trapping small seeds. With no bottom or side flaps and nothing to seal across the bottom, and just one flat seam to tape on the sides, I haven't noticed an seed leakage or trapping.

Yes, that would probably work fine. I use inner glassine packets in mine, in case the glue lets go. The more I collect seeds, it seems the smaller they get! That is, I am learning to extract tiny seeds that I could not find before. Consequently, the glassine packet is practically manditory to keep the tiny seeds from getting trapped in the corners of packets.

The only problem I have seen from sealing with tape is that, should tiny seeds escape, they tend to adhere to the tape, and since they are so small, they are impossible to extracate. I'm referring to seeds that are like powder. I always suggest that when trying new packaging, test it by tapping the filled packets on a flat surface, rotating the packet, to see if any seeds escape.

I do like the flaps, thanks, Weez! Planter, maybe Weez said it best with "what ever works"? Glad yours work for you. Teensy seeds are tough, no matter what you use. Someone sent me itsy bitsy seeds once wrapped up in an origami style folded paper which I saved. She placed that inside the standard packaging and it worked very well.

Ladyannne, I ordered some glassine bags that are 2"x3", and they are wonderful for the small seed. I had been making my own with waxed paper, but this is so much simpler. I use the glassine bags inside the paper packet that has all the plant info, just putting the name on the inner packet in case someone forgets to keep them together.

Not only does the glassine allow you to see the seed and keep them secure, it also doesn't have the static one experiences with plastic ziplocks. They also pour nicely when you sow them.

I like the wax paper idea. That static cling can really be a pain when you are trying to sort and clean seeds. I think I will try that with my snapdragon seeds. They are so small they are almost like powder. On a slightly different but related subject, how do you sort your seeds...especially ones where the chaff and seeds are about the same size? The tiny seeds are fairly easy since they will drop through my sieve and the chaff won't, and the larger seeds I can just pick out. But all those ones in the middle size range really try my patience. Seems to take me forever and then I still end up with more chaff mixed in than I would like.

I saw those mentioned before and checked them out, really liked them. I have to re order my zips and may get those, too. After that rain fiasco, I am so reluctant to give up the zips..... : ( Think I should?

I never go any where with seeds that I don't take ziplocks with me. First sign of anything wet into the baggies the paper packets go. But just for regular storage I keep them in the house so I just file them in the paper packets.

Ladyannne, I use the little plastic zips for my collected seeds, but use the paper and glassine when packaging them up to send out. In the case of Pyrola, the seed seems to be a very fine yellow powder. I added sand to the packet to help with the static, but this is one type I should have put directly in glassine, then in a plastic zip.

Pville, sometimes you just have to put up with the chaff. I find this true with sedum seeds. After sifting out the larger chaff, I just package it all and allow for the chaff when packaging it up for a trade. One should also keep in mind that the first out of your bag will probably be more chaff than seed, so either allow for it or rotate the bag first to equalize the seed.

A couple years ago, I would have considered snapdragon seeds quite small. Mine are about the size of somniferum poppy seeds, I think. Both of those seem fairly large to me now! Even petunia seeds seem manageable. One of the real challenges this year was extracting seeds from the trailing lobelia... those were tiny, tiny, tiny!

The ones that I find hardest to get the junk out of are my peppers. Getting the seeds out of the dried pods is easy but then picking the pieces of the crushed pod back out just takes forever it seems. Oh and zinnias are another. So I do end up with a lot of chaff in those and like you say, I at least double the total volume per packet to make up for it. I've never collected seed from sedum. They multiply easily here so I just divide the clumps periodically and either replant those or give them away.

Carol, if you can manage Lobelia, you have to be a lot less blind than I am!! I was thinking during these posts that the subject is almost mute for me, I can't see that small anymore, or I don't have the patience anymore, or all of the above!

Pville, in the case of pepper seeds, you might try gently blowing on them. If the chaff doesn't blow away completely, at least it may separate a bit away from the seeds so you can pick them out. They are flattish and larger as I recall. Zinnia doesn't grow well here, so I have less experience with the seed, and certainly not harvesting it. Isn't it a long flat type... black, as I recall. You might try blowing on those, as well. Someone suggested using a vacuum cleaner to pull away the chaff, but I think you'd have to be very careful. If identifying seeds is an issue, I've been told that a seed can be rolled between your fingers. Even the smallest seeds will have a gritty feel when you do this.

Ladyannne, no one would accuse me of good eyesight. I've worn glasses since I was 14, and now my close vision is pretty dismal. My glasses generally correct that, but I sure have to get a good light and a contrasting surface to sort smaller seeds.

I have been crushing the pods into a plastic bowl and then sort of gently shaking the bowl side to side. Since the seeds are heavier they mostly fall to the bottom so I basically try to scrape off what is on top. But I'll try the blowing method next time. That might work even better. My only concern is that I have to control the urge to sneeze when I am working with pepper seeds as it is. If I end up sneezing while I'm blowing I'll end up with a real mess LOL

Yes zinnea seeds are somewhat elongated but of course so are the stamens at the base of the dried flower heads. The color and size depend on variety. I have some that are black and much smaller by comparison, others that are a tan color and a bit larger. As you say, the easiest way to distinguish them from the chaff is by feel. The seeds always have a harder texture.

Glasses here, too, since early 20's. Can I send you all my lobelia chaff to sort? Huh? Pleeease?

Ladyannne, one of the easiest ways is to shake the dried stems with the seedheads on them over a container. What falls out is the seed. When the pods and stems were a bit green, I let them dry out, then crushed the heads through a small sieve. Next I strained them through a tea ball, just shaking them, not rubbing them through. The seed is so small, it should go through all of it.

Oh, we covered this on another forum, somewhere, didn't we? Sigh....I have to try that!!! I did paperbags, but then got distracted......now I can't remmeber what I did with the tea ball. Sigh....

Don't tell me ran a cup of tea through your tea ball!

Dear Smilin32
Thanks so much for the seed packet hyperlink. I just joined Dave's Garden and I'm new to FL. These little packets will work out great for my experimenting. Thanks again.

I make my own see thru bags for seed with my Demi package sealer. The plastic wrap is in the sealer and then I seal the top when I have put the seeds in. Im not sure of the cost but it is easy and fast. One question about the seed. Do they need to be kept in dark packages when storing?