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formerly RGG

Since I purchased a incubator and will probably not be needing nearly as many seed this season I am wondering what is the best method for long term seed storage? I know watermelon seed will keep for several years if stored properly. Some types of seed will even keep for generations. Currently, I have my seed in baggies inside sealed plastic containers in my freezer. Perhaps there is something a little better?

2/10/2010 8:39:35 PM

formerly RGG

I hate to answer my own question but I did the following on Garden Web & any further answers will certainly be appreciated:

"The best place for long-term storage of seeds is your freezer; but that requires containers that are completely air-tight, otherwise the seed will dessicate (as in be freeze-dried).
Baby food jars might work, as would any other jar with a rubber seal. Ball jars are good for this, you can put a lot of envelopes into one.

But I think that the best method for preserving seeds is the heat-sealed foil packs. Several seed companies carry them, including Seed Savers and Southern Exposure. You can also re-use foil-lined chip bags, if they are cleaned out.

Remember that if seed is frozen, it must remain sealed in its container after removal from the freezer, until the seeds (and the container) reach room temperature. Failure to do this can cause condensation on the seeds, which will quickly destroy them."

2/10/2010 8:46:10 PM

Lexington,IN

I agree on freezer storage. The perfect story happened last season, Henry Plesant had a terrible time getting his seeds years ago to germinate. He tells Henry Plesant about the trouble he is having and henry tells him to come on over that he has a bunch of his seeds in the freezer. Sure enough they sprouted, seeds were 12 - 15 years old. Henry just wraps the seed envelopes up in newspaper and puts that in a big ziplock baggie. I know I'll be keeping mine in the freezer from here on out...

2/10/2010 9:36:36 PM

El Paso TX.

If you happen to have or know someone that has one of those vacuam sealers for food storage it would probably be a good way to package them prior to putting into the freezer !

2/11/2010 7:16:54 PM

formerly RGG

Great idea El Paso - are you trying for a giant watermelon in the El Paso area?

2/11/2010 8:42:04 PM