Seed Storage

A seed is a living thing, it will consume its stored reserves over time if not properly stored. The only way to stop this process is to freeze them or you can significantly slow it down in the fridge. I have heard all types of rumors about loosing germination rates during the freeze and thaw process. I didn't believe this because in nature there are freeze and thaw cycles the cannabis seed actually goes through. For an experiment I set aside different strains that consisted of 50 control and 50 test seeds. The test seeds I froze and thawed over 100s of times, sometimes as soon as I thawed them out I froze them. Even quick thawed them out in the sun a few times. At the end of about three months I tested the germination rates, both the control and the test group had the same germination rate. No change! I suggest you do this experiment yourself if you have doubts. However before you store your seeds you need to dry them out with either rice or silica packets mixed in a closed plastic bag for about a month. After this time period you should be ready for storage or experiment if you chose to.

Added: Make sure you use fresh seeds and make sure they are healthy before beginning this experiment. I had plenty from breeding my own strains. When you thaw them out make sure they stay in their baggies otherwise they will collect moisture that will end up damaging your seeds or experiment.

Another method of storage is with dry ice. Put your seeds in mason jar. Put a small piece of dry ice in the jar (shouldn't touch the seeds). As it sublimates and creates fog that spills over the top of the jar. It pushes the air out of the jar and leaves CO2 the heavier gas. Seal it up and store in a cool dry place.

I just sprouted a few seeds that I had in my fridge that were 5 years old. Its an amazing and rugged seed for sure! .

The dry ice tip I thought was very interesting also.

I store seeds in a vial, with a piece of foam in between them and silica beads, further contained in a opaque container which is then kept in a cool dry place. If I plan on storing long term, then I will keep the same described packaging in the fridge.

One of the issues with freezing seeds is going to be present only in humid environments, and that would be condensation developing on the inside of the container which the seeds are in, upon a rapid change of temperature which could then hydrate the seed enough to awaken it, "activating" the embryo inside and thus rendering it no longer viable upon drying out

Also this isnt exactly advanced?? Not trying to be rude but Ive noticed a surplus of basic general questions in the advanced section lately.

Split your seed collection and store it in two separate places.

Jaybodankly said:

Split your seed collection and store it in two separate places.

Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more, I made a mistake of storing my whole seed collection in the back of the freezer right next to the defroster. Burnt my whole three year collection up, took me awhile to recover from some sort of mental breakdown. Another life lesson learned the hard way like everything else.

Must have been a hard moment when you realize all your seeds are fucked.