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
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
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.
Nothing there seems wrong-bad luck?
My Grandpa always used brown paper bags to store his seed
Jennym, excuse my dimness, since I am sometimes naturally slow, but what are inhibitors ... ?
Thanks
Derekthefox :D
Ps - yippee my 1000th post ...
sorry ...
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.
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.
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.
Thank you John, that is now clear to me. I never realised it was such a technical issue ...
Derekthefox :D
kentishchloe - isn,t it amazing what SMA tins come in useful for!!
oh yes - i never throw them away, i've got all sorts of unlikely things stashed away in them... :D
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 ;)