Topic: Storing saved seeds

[Derek]

Last year I tried storing some saved seeds in some of the small plastic containers that vitimin capsules come in.

I found that the germination of the seed in this way was pretty poor, could it have been...

1. The plastic containers

2. The fact that I stored them in a dry garage

How do you suggest that seed should be stored for optimum results?

Derek

[wardy]

I put mine in paper packets and then in a Tupperware box in the fridge :)

If it's saved seed you have to clean it first by getting rid of the chaff etc

[jennym]

Sometimes if there is flesh on the seeds it needs washing off too - I put in them in a wire sieve or teastrainer and rub against mesh - this helps to remove inhibitors.

[cleo]

Nothing there seems wrong-bad luck?

[Delilah]

My Grandpa always used brown paper bags to store his seed

[Derekthefox]

Jennym, excuse my dimness, since I am sometimes naturally slow, but what are inhibitors ... ?

Thanks

Derekthefox :D

Ps - yippee my 1000th post ...

sorry ...

[john_miller]

Some plants have natural inhibitors in, or surrounding their seeds, that delay germination (some can also release inhibitors that prevent other seeds germinating in their vicinity- brussels sprout seeds for instance) . Under natural conditions (outdoors) these inhibitors will break down after a while. If you are storing seeds then it is necessary to duplicate these conditions- vernalisation in a fridge for example- to overcome these natural germination barriers.
Something I have always read is that seed should never be stored in plastic. Seeds are living tissue and they can exude gasses. Over time, in a confined atomsphere, they can alter the make-up of the micro climate and potentially asphyxiate themselves.

[Heldi]

I generally use old envelopes to store my collected seeds and have actually had them sat in a wooden letter rack.  Haven't ever put them in the fridge but I think I will try it this year.

[kentishchloe]

i use little brown money envelopes which i keep inside SMA formula tins. not in fridge but have cool outbuilding which seems to keep them quite well.

[Derekthefox]

Thank you John, that is now clear to me. I never realised it was such a technical issue ...

Derekthefox :D

[Delilah]

kentishchloe - isn,t it amazing what SMA tins come in useful for!!

[kentishchloe]

oh yes - i never throw them away, i've got all sorts of unlikely things stashed away in them... :D

[kentishchloe]

Oops - I've just re-read my last post - when i say I've got all sorts of things stashed I mean seeds, pens, toys, cat biscuits etc... Nothing dodgy you understand  ;)