*** Help the DOC out ??? ***

I have a question that I hope someone has the answer to---I have always stored seeds in a dark container in the fridge and stored pollen in the freezer inside freezer-burn proof bags.---My question is would the cells inside the seeds be harmed if you stored them in the freezer as well---I have heard different views. I don't do it but would like the answer if seeds are safe in the freezer?

I've had seeds in the fridge live longer lives than seeds in the freezer, to be perfectly honest. I would keep them in the fridge.

The reason I asked is I have a friend and he has been getting close to 100% germ rates--then he tossed some seeds in the freezer and the percentage dropped.

Yeah, I probably would not put them in there then, if it's having the same results globally then it's probably an indication that it's not so good.

well if u think about it if cannabis was native to the colder climes id say yeah store them in the freezer. But they native to warmer climates so the fridge would be more like the cold winter just above freezin. I say keep em in the fridge lol.

DR. VonDankenstine said:

The reason I asked is I have a friend and he has been getting close to 100% germ rates--then he tossed some seeds in the freezer and the percentage dropped.

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that's odd. i've heard that freezing them helps germination rates. it's supposed to mimic the winter cycle. i've always stored mine on a cool dark shelf. they keep for years.

i don't think keeping beans in a fridge/freezer is a good idea. the window of temperature variance is too big. ever hear your fridge kick on and off? that's the thermostat trying to keep the inside temps. at a certain level. i keep mine in a cool, dry and dark place.

fdd2blk said:

that's odd. i've heard that freezing them helps germination rates. it's supposed to mimic the winter cycle. i've always stored mine on a cool dark shelf. they keep for years.

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Ya-The winter cycle would make sense but I do know plant cells can be damaged from a freeze but I don't know about mary beans---

Good question..I know with other plants, some prefer a good freeze it will actually help germ percentages. I just always thought it may be true with my seeds, I store mine in freezer black film containers. I can't report any abnormal losses but maybe I'm just lucky.

What is stratification? Stratification is artificially overcoming a seed's dormancy by placing it in layers of moisture-retaining media (paper towel, potting soil, etc.) and keeping it under generally cool and moist conditions for a period of time. This will simulate winter conditions, according to the Garden Web Glossary of Botanical Terms (GardenWeb - The Internet's Garden Community).

Some seeds need it to grow (hollyhock, columbine) some seeds it will kill. Not sure about Marijuana, I'll have to read around and see. I keep my columbine seeds in a baggie in the butter compartment of the fridge.

I have not had any problems with storing my seeds in the freezer. The first time I ever grew I got some seeds from this old head and he told me that the seeds he gave me had been regrown and stored in his freezer since the time when high times had there seedbank ??? So I would think it should be ok, if a seed can make it all winter in subzero temps and then regrow in the spring then the freezer should do the same thing kinda preserving them to wait for the spring (germination).. Just my one and a half cents..