storing seeds

All,
Apologies if this has been covered in agonizing detail, but I did not see anything addressing this specifically?

What is your most successful way of storing?
What is a general shelf life of a properly stored seed?

toss them in the kitchen drawer

saemskin, I just put them in a sealed jar with minute rice (generic ok) and store in fridge. Try to block light into jar.
Rice helps control moisture. 7+ years at 100% germ rate. Gl OG

"Seeds store for a long time when humidity is less than 5 percent and temperature is 35-40f (2-5c)." -Taken directly out of the Marijuana Horticulture Medical Grower's Bible.

OldGrower said:

saemskin, I just put them in a sealed jar with minute rice (generic ok) and store in fridge. Try to block light into jar.
Rice helps control moisture. 7+ years at 100% germ rate. Gl OG

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great idea! easy too.

The trouble with storeing seeds in frezzers/ refridgerators is temp. fluctuation from either opening and closeing the door or frost free , defrost modes , these fluctions cause condinsation that will shorten the life span consderably _ rice sounds like a good idea to help eliminate this

Long term stored seeds do not go bad all at once , they slowely lose germination % rates over the years , So if your makeing seeds for storage store lots

I store my seeds in a mason jar in the basement where the temp is a steady 55-65 year round , As long as they are properly dried (not over dryed) they will be viable for many years 20+ atleast

I saw a video of a Spanish grower and he was showing off his operation. He stores his seeds and his clones at 40 degrees F. Did not explain why. BigSteve.

Fridge with a desiccant is the best way bar none.

thanks everybody!

budman111 said:

Fridge with a desiccant is the best way bar none.

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Be carefull with the desiccants , to much or to strong will over dry the seed and kill it

What happens to refrigerated seed if the fridge messes up and freezes everything in it.
Will that kill the seeds, the freezing?

So i've got my seeds in screw bags with labels so i know which one is which, then all the screw bags are in small mason jar. Should i put the jar in the fridge or freezer, and should i put rice in the jar or a little grain in each bag or what? i'm planning on putting some rice in the jar and just throw it [read: place gently] in the back of the freezer, what say ye, RIU?

I keep many of my seeds in the freezer.. they store great long term
No nothing happens because the water froze and thawed..nature does this as well

Been doing it for years..doesn't matter how you store em in the freezer

qwizoking said:

I keep many of my seeds in the freezer.. they store great long term
No nothing happens because the water froze and thawed..nature does this as well

Been doing it for years..doesn't matter how you store em in the freezer

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thanks this is what i thought but with all the talk of condensation etc. just wanted to make sure!

Gracias Amigos

The colder you can get the seed the longer it will be viable.
In the Lab. They use Liquid Nitrogen Freezers for long term storage, Lab Freezers, and Fridges
Depending on what your doing with the seed.

Fluctuation in Temperature, and Humidity takes away from the seeds viability
You never want to store your seeds in your dresser draw because of these fluctuations.

IMO- Best place to store your seeds is the Freezer.

Good Luck on Your Grow.