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Gig Harbor, Wa

Is it necessary to put 2009 seeds that I intend to plant in 2010 into the freezer for the 4+ months?

12/15/2009 12:39:44 AM

Cortona Toscana Italy

if i want to save seeds for next years i simply use a glas bottle and silica gel! wen seeds are dry(especialy cucurbita sp ) have no problem to stay good for years!

12/15/2009 6:42:26 AM

Dover, DE

you can do so HG but i suggest mason jars, stored in a cool place (such as a closet). At least thats what I do.

12/15/2009 8:32:10 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I keep my bulk seeds in a Glad type tupperware container. I have germinated 2001 and 2003 seeds kept in the paper coin envelopes with no problem. I keep my seeds in a regular closet and cabinet.

12/17/2009 12:11:28 AM

Western PA

Nope, just keep them dry, and you should be good.

12/18/2009 3:54:21 PM

Rhode Island

we have never froze a seed in over 20 years of growing.
im sure its a good method but we just store them in a box ( seperated by importance and value) and keep the containers sealed in a cool place.
cigar boxes also work well.
pap

12/20/2009 8:12:08 AM

Joliet, IL

freezer here. in double ziplocked bags inside of plastic sealed containers. i freeze them for the consistancy the freezer provides and hopefully an older seed will sprout if i held on to it longer before growing it.

12/20/2009 1:05:54 PM

Joliet, IL

freezer here. in double ziplocked bags inside of plastic sealed containers. i freeze them for the consistancy the freezer provides and hopefully an older seed will sprout if i held on to it longer before growing it.

12/20/2009 1:06:51 PM

Joliet, IL

oops.....does a seed knows it is frozen? wondering is there any difference in a seed going from a frozen state to the germ process as to opposed to an unfrozen seed. does a seed starting from a frozen state have more of a desire or push for lack of better words to sprout? does it feel the major temp fluctuation besides the increased moisture to help it pop? just some thoughts after reading this thread.

12/20/2009 1:12:47 PM

Rhode Island

shazzy i know my feet sure know when they are frozen after a couple hrs plowing snow in our driveway yesterday. lol

there probably is something to the frozen seed practice.i have heard of many growers of all sorts of seeds say that they freeze their seeds a few days before planting. i guess the idea being the seed will sprout faster or better if it makes the transition from frozen to germination temp?

these seeds are so prolific that i think you could throw them on the ground and kick some dirt over them and they would still germinate under the right conditions. --- the key is and always will be when holding ag seeds? its not so much how you store them but how you start them. heat -steady and even temps between 80 - 90 degrees.

12/21/2009 9:00:57 AM

DeWitt, Iowa

I think the thawing from the freezer makes the seeds think they went through went and are starting spring like they would naturally.

12/23/2009 9:06:10 PM

Joliet, IL

thanks pap and grant. i knew i heard something to that effect. i hear what you are saying pap about these aggressive sprouters kicking in at the right temp. i guess if it is a common practice in some grower circles, then there has to be something to it.

i would think if there is a small amount of truth to it, then older seeds might be frozen first to help encourage them pop. i see many are recycling some older seeds and going back and trying old crosses with new strategies. maybe this will help there percentages of germination.

12/24/2009 8:21:44 AM