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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Nov 26, 2012 12:55:29 GMT -5
There is a rule of thumb about seed storage: Every 10F (5C) increase in temperature above what might be called "standard conditions," combined with a 1 percent increase in the moisture content of the seed, cuts the storage life of the seed in half. I can't address the moisture issue, but that formula about kinetics of chemical reaction is straight out of a chemistry text book, although it seems munged... In biological systems, the rate of a chemical reaction doubles with an increase in temperature of 10 C, and halves with a decrease of 10 C. So, seeds that are expected to last 2 years on the shelf would last 6 years in a refrigerator, or 32 years in a home freezer. I started a germination test today for parsnip seed that was grown in 2010 or earlier. Will post results when they are available. |
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Post by davida on Nov 26, 2012 13:32:39 GMT -5
There is a rule of thumb about seed storage: Every 10F (5C) increase in temperature above what might be called "standard conditions," combined with a 1 percent increase in the moisture content of the seed, cuts the storage life of the seed in half. I can't address the moisture issue, but that formula about kinetics of chemical reaction is straight out of a chemistry text book, although it seems munged... In biological systems, the rate of a chemical reaction doubles with an increase in temperature of 10 C, and halves with a decrease of 10 C. So, seeds that are expected to last 2 years on the shelf would last 6 years in a refrigerator, or 32 years in a freezer. I started a germination test today for parsnip seed that was grown in 2010 or earlier. Will post results when they are available. Joseph. you know more about seeds and seed saving than I will ever know and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Since I am a amateur and my preparation techniques are not always perfect, the rule of thumb means to me that my seeds will last longer in the refrigerator with less moisture than on the shelf with more moisture and will last even longer in the freezer. I will leave the exact number of years to you professionals that know exactly when to harvest, exactly how to dry, etc. But for truly long term storage of decades or centuries, Oxbowlfarm's post explains what is needed. But for my 3 to 5 year goal, hopefully my method will work. But after reading all of the thread, it appears that I need to put my zip lock bags into glass jars. Looking forward to your parsnip germination results. |
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Nov 26, 2012 13:47:36 GMT -5
So far, I have never had insects or mice eat seeds while stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Some insects might survive the refrigerator, but only in hibernation, they don't reproduce in it. Insects don't seem to mind chewing through plastic bags at room temperature.
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Post by MikeH on Jul 19, 2013 3:10:03 GMT -5
But for my 3 to 5 year goal, hopefully my method will work. But after reading all of the thread, it appears that I need to put my zip lock bags into glass jars. This - www.pump-n-seal.com/ - actually seals the jars to the point that you can lift the jar by the unit when it's still attached to the jar lid. It looks like one of those as-seen-on-TV-products but it really does seal. Joyce who does a lot of preserving and canning was impressed. |
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Post by davida on Jul 19, 2013 10:25:58 GMT -5
But for my 3 to 5 year goal, hopefully my method will work. But after reading all of the thread, it appears that I need to put my zip lock bags into glass jars. This - www.pump-n-seal.com/ - actually seals the jars to the point that you can lift the jar by the unit when it's still attached to the jar lid. It looks like one of those as-seen-on-TV-products but it really does seal. Joyce who does a lot of preserving and canning was impressed. Thanks, Mike, for renewing my interest in vacuum sealing and sharing this method. For the jars, I am going to try my different wine pumps and different types of tape (scotch, black electrical, duct tape, etc.) and see if it will work. But I think it was Alan Kapular that said that beans should be stored with oxygen. Is my memory serving me correctly? Should beans and any other seeds not be vacuum sealed for maximum storage? |
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Post by robertb on Jul 23, 2013 13:14:10 GMT -5
I store seeds in envelopes or ziplok bags, inside a sealed tin, in the freezer. It works; I've kept Meconopsis seed viable for three years.
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