Seed Storage System Question

[Ukulele Haze]

Fellow Growers,

I am currently trying to improve my seed storage system. My old system involves a Pelican case, some desiccants, and seeds stashed in tiny baggies. I store it in my refrigerator. I was not satisfied with it's capacity, the "Ragdoll Effect" the seeds were suffering, and the overall amount of empty airspace within the container:



So, I went on Amazon and found this nifty bead storage unit (1.85 x 1 Inch model):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FY518GH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The plan was to make a sandwich of sorts. I put a cotton ball on the bottom. Then, I threw in some seeds. Then, I added another cotton ball on top for good measure. Finally, I screwed the whole thing tight. Well, as tight as one can with plastic. I used a Brother Label Maker for the cap. Pictured here is a test capsule fitted with a few ILGM Northern Lights Auto seeds I had on hand:



Here's the concern - I got to thinking about my laundry. My cotton shirts sure do absorb a lot of moisture. But, I wouldn't claim they necessarily draw water from something like say, a desiccant would (correct me if I am wrong there). In essence, I am trying to figure out if I would be better off with a different space-consuming material. I know some people use rice. But, I don't know if that material would be superior to my cotton balls in any way. Please let me know what you think of this. Also, feel free to share any photos or descriptions of seed storage systems of your own. Thank you!

 

[Bobgrows]

Fellow Growers,

I am currently trying to improve my seed storage system. My old system involves a Pelican case, some desiccants, and seeds stashed in tiny baggies. I store it in my refrigerator. I was not satisfied with it's capacity, the "Ragdoll Effect" the seeds were suffering, and the overall amount of empty airspace within the container:

View attachment 4765400

So, I went on Amazon and found this nifty bead storage unit (1.85 x 1 Inch model):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FY518GH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The plan was to make a sandwich of sorts. I put a cotton ball on the bottom. Then, I threw in some seeds. Then, I added another cotton ball on top for good measure. Finally, I screwed the whole thing tight. Well, as tight as one can with plastic. I used a Brother Label Maker for the cap. Pictured here is a test capsule fitted with a few ILGM Northern Lights Auto seeds I had on hand:

View attachment 4765403

Here's the concern - I got to thinking about my laundry. My cotton shirts sure do absorb a lot of moisture. But, I wouldn't claim they necessarily draw water from something like say, a desiccant would (correct me if I am wrong there). In essence, I am trying to figure out if I would be better off with a different space-consuming material. I know some people use rice. But, I don't know if that material would be superior to my cotton balls in any way. Please let me know what you think of this. Also, feel free to share any photos or descriptions of seed storage systems of your own. Thank you!

If your storing them for over a year I’d put them in a fridge if your using them before that I wouldn’t bother. Just somewhere dark. They’re good in the fridge if you leave them alone but if you keep taking them out thats what fucks up your beans.

 

[zem]

Yep, my beans are stored in the freezer and surprisingly they sprout almost 100% after more than 10 years of storage

 

[go go kid]

great advice,. also you can use a simple t bag to use as a dessicant

 

[xtsho]

I use capped test tubes for seeds I make. Other seeds I leave in original breeder packs if they were already in small vials. If they were in small baggies I roll them up and put them in test tubes as well. I also put some of those desiccant balls in with them and packs of desiccant in the airtight storage containers.

 

[Ukulele Haze]

If they were in small baggies I roll them up and put them in test tubes as well. I also put some of those desiccant balls in with them and packs of desiccant in the airtight storage containers.

I didn't think to simply put the existing little plastic bags in the capsules. I think that's a good idea you have. The dessicant should fit in the capsle also if I do that. So, I think you solved my problem.

 

[Ukulele Haze]

I appreciate the recommendations of others to refrigerate the seeds. But, like I mentioned in my original post, I already do that.

 

[Rurumo]

Be sure you keep them dark in the fridge too. I keep them in an airtight jar with desiccant and wrap that in a small black towel. I feel like the towel helps keep the temp stable too as I occasionally open the fridge for some hot sauce!

 

[89gt89]

I keep rice with my beans. Perfect desiccant.

 

[piratebug]

I still use an old Kodak 35mm canister film tray, it holds 36 X 35mm aluminum film canisters! I keep my seeds in the dark, in the basement, where its a dry 35% RH and always 64F year round.

 

[calvin.m16]

I would store them in a sealed container/bag in a dark cool dry place. I wouldn't freeze or refrigerate that could cause problems like condensation.

 

[OldMedUser]

I just keep mine in vials or coke flaps stored in jam jars with some colour changing crystals called Drierite. Start blue and go pink when moist and can be cooked in the oven to re-dry and turn them blue again and again. They sell jars of it or packs like bovidas but they are one-way tho if really moist should transfer it back to dry pot.

They just sit in my office safe where it's cool but mostly room temp. Looking for a bar fridge cheap for them, pot storage and try some of that slo-dry in the fridge method for curing fresh trimmed bud.

 

[OldMedUser]

I would store them in a sealed container/bag in a dark cool dry place. I wouldn't freeze or refrigerate that could cause problems like condensation.

if they are in sealed containers there's no problem with condensation if allowed to warm up to room temp first. If you freeze them you shouldn't thaw and re-freeze or that can fuck them up I've always heard. The fridge or cool temps are good for a decade at least if properly dried and sealed.

 

[Dr. Who]

I keep rice with my beans. Perfect desiccant.

URBAN MYTH!
Rice is NOT a functional desiccant!

if they are in sealed containers there's no problem with condensation if allowed to warm up to room temp first. If you freeze them you shouldn't thaw and re-freeze or that can fuck them up I've always heard. The fridge or cool temps are good for a decade at least if properly dried and sealed.

I have used a wine cellar. I prefer now, A wine "cooler" or wine storage unit with a cooler section. I keep it in that cooler section. Perfect situation for long term storage.

 

[go go kid]

Be sure you keep them dark in the fridge too. I keep them in an airtight jar with desiccant and wrap that in a small black towel. I feel like the towel helps keep the temp stable too as I occasionally open the fridge for some hot sauce!

youve tried waiting inside to see if t go's out too, glad im not the only one

 

[Ukulele Haze]

Thanks for all of the input everybody. I think my new system makes sense:

I rolled up a plastic baggie and stuffed it in the canister. To the side of the baggie, I did one cotton ball, a silica barrel, then another cotton ball on top of the barrel. The bead storage unit came with 30 capsules. So, I should be able to store quite a library of genetics (whenever the Seedsman order gets here).

 

[buyyouabeer]

Mrs Beer helped me customize this Pelican knock off box (same IP67 protection) as my old box has been overwhelmed. Just received my final Black Friday Seedsman order yesterday so it was time to do some organization. Last pic doesn't show the top layer of desiccant packs and yes we are making gummies later.

 

[Ukulele Haze]

Mrs Beer helped me customize this Pelican knock off box (same IP67 protection) as my old box has been overwhelmed. Just received my final Black Friday Seedsman order yesterday so it was time to do some organization. Last pic doesn't show the top layer of desiccant packs and yes we are making gummies later.

Wow! What an amazing selection you have amassed. I too ordered the FastBuds LSD-25 Auto. I have seen video footage of that strain, and It's insanely beautiful; purple with resin secretions everywhere.

I was unaware seeds can come in so many different types and styles of packaging. That might put a damper my plans with the bead storage kit. I guess I'll have to wait and see what they mail me.

P.S. I love the look of your case, too. If you are implying she painted that lid, that is very impressive.

 

[buyyouabeer]

I love the look of your case, too. If you are implying she painted that lid, that is very impressive.

Yes I have accumulated enough seeds but I keep finding new stuff I am interested in, or as my friend just put it 'You got enough shit there to last 10 years past Armagenden'. There is easily as many seeds in those three film canisters as all the packaged stuff; tons of freebies and stuff they took out of the breeders packages. My latest infatuation is tropical and equatorial NLD varieties (aka sativas); hence the Ace Seeds and Cannbiogen stuff. Maxed out on those for Black Friday.

As for the art on the case, she designed that and printed it out on vinyl with a Cricut machine. She has an entire hobby room filled with card making stuff, stamps and enough stuff to fill a craft store. So I never worry about all the growing supplies and seeds I buy; plus she is a major stoner.

 

[OldMedUser]

URBAN MYTH!
Rice is NOT a functional desiccant!



I have used a wine cellar. I prefer now, A wine "cooler" or wine storage unit with a cooler section. I keep it in that cooler section. Perfect situation for long term storage.

Rice will work if you heat it in a slow oven for a while to drive out all the moisture but it's not great. I love the Drierite as it shows when it's time to replace it or can let you know your container isn't as airtight as you thought it was.

A wine cooler should work great. I'll keep that in mind as I hunt around for a bar fridge.