I'm pretty sure you can dry seeds out too much too. They need a certain level of humidity to remain viable for a long time. I've had some in paper packs, (coke flaps), for 6 or 7 years now. They are in a sealed jar with good desiccant and may be getting too dry. Must do a germination test soon and see if they are any good yet.
This is in the bottom of my fridge but as you can see I need something bigger lol
This looks cool! I have some questions, if that's ok: Is the idea behind the test tubes so condensation doesn't build up in all the tubes whenever you open the box up to take seeds out of one tube? How many dessicant balls do you put in each tube (i.e. per seed approximately) and how often do you need to replace them? I'm looking for a similar solution for long term storage (5-10 years) for multiple strains. Thanks!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.
Thanks for the reply. A centimeter of silica balls for how many seeds in what size container? Basically, what is the approximate seed to silica balls ratio?
I am actually enjoying it a great deal. It takes a little patience to trim the labels but it feels like a relaxing craft project. Sticking the labels on top of the bead containers gives me a bird's eye view of multiple genetics at one time, helping me plan my next moves.
The idea behind the test tubes was to keep all my strains separate. I make seeds and crosses every run. They also have airtight caps to keep the seeds from drying out or getting moisture on them. I don't count how many desiccant balls I put in. Just a pinch. The airtight container I keep the tubes in also has desiccant packs in it.
Last week I shipped a box of over 2000 seeds of a couple dozen strains to a buddy back east who will distribute them to members of another forum. They were just getting older sitting around here so I kept some of each for handing out here and there but I'll never use hardly any as I have 20 new strains to try growing now.
I give a ton of seeds away. I'm like you. I have a backlog of dozens of crosses I've made and then another couple dozen landraces and other stuff I purchased and haven't gotten too. I don't know what I was thinking when I went crazy buying seeds and now crazy making them. Making seeds is like an addiction with me. I can't do a grow without making something.Last week I shipped a box of over 2000 seeds of a couple dozen strains to a buddy back east who will distribute them to members of another forum. They were just getting older sitting around here so I kept some of each for handing out here and there but I'll never use hardly any as I have 20 new strains to try growing now.
They should have more open seed swapping here so nOObs can get cheap or free genetics to play with. Even the older growers are always looking for different genetics to play with. Most are given away for the cost of postage or a small donation to the site to keep it running. Many for free.
OverGrow the government!
I think moisture might be enemy #1 for seed storage. I also believe the idea is more so to remove moisture and oxygen from the air as opposed to from the seed itself.
Interesting. I've only used a few silica balls in a small amount of my tubes. But the silica packs are in the containers. Some breeder packs have silica balls in their sealed tubes. I forget which ones but I've ran across it a few times. I'm not going to go back and pull any out of any tubes but I might not put them in anymore. Makes sense though. It was just something I came across a few times from a couple different outfits I can't remember who but the seeds came in the real small tubes with a cap on the end that hold about ten seeds.
I second what Ukulele Haze said. Everything I've read recommends desiccant when storing in the fridge or freezer because of the humidity. Not so much of an issue when storing outside these appliances, so desiccant might not be required when storing elsewhere. That's not to say people haven't successfully stored in a fridge or freezer without a desiccant. I myself don't want to take a chance, especially since I plan to store for 10 years or so.
Refrigeration is about humidity removal
