Storing Seeds With Silica Gel Packets?Killing?[Ideas Plz]

Hi ,

I purchased seeds from seedsman with Halloween deal. After it came i put it in glass jar with 1 silicone gel packet. Since 14days have been struggling to germinate 13 seeds ..failed so far. (i made a thread about it here as well )


Is that the reason the way i stored ?

PS : room temp around 28 - 27

I seen Seedsman blog and other resources suggest to leave few silica gel but if over do it will over dry and killing the seeds ?

Since i put 1 silica gel packet something happened to seeds ?

Suggestions please ?

PS : I have 4 times growing experience which is kinda OK..so i don't think it's a my issue other than storing

I put rice in with my seeds, not no minute rice, real rice. Seems to work for me I've had a mason jar half full of seeds for few years. My germ rate on these is always 99-100%. I would say the ratio of seeds to rice is about 5 seeds per 1 grain of rice.

ChronBonz said:

I put rice in with my seeds, not no minute rice, real rice. Seems to work for me I've had a mason jar half full of seeds for few years. My germ rate on these is always 99-100%. I would say the ratio of seeds to rice is about 5 seeds per 1 grain of rice.

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Thats great to know... Right now i am worrying about silica gel thingy as i have stored 50 auto seeds inside glass jar with silica gel..

I am weary about the silica, I would not use it.
I really hope you get some sprouts man!

I have also heard of seeds that were shipped being killed with irradiation at customs. I had a huge order from attitude that was like that and I suspected it was radiated at the border.

Renfro said:

I have also heard of seeds that were shipped being killed with irradiation at customs. I had a huge order from attitude that was like that and I suspected it was radiated at the border.

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Years ago I was dealing rare coins and lost a shipment in the mail. I was assigned a postal detective and talked quite a bit with her and she was forthcoming with all my questions. I asked her if my package got snatched because it was small and heavily insured via the USPS. She told me that if Customs suspects a package coming into the US from "certain" countries that Customs would employ their Sniffer. They drill 2 small 1/8 inch holes in the package and use some kind of machine to sniff for contraband. If the package is OK they tape up the holes and send the package on. Afterwards I noticed the taped holes on a number of my coin packages. I will say they were kind enough to make sure and drill around the edges so as to not harm the contents. If the package is drug related Customs confiscates the package and sends you a letter stating the facts. She assured me they never come after anyone who the packages were addressed to. That's here in the US though.

Good luck, BigSteve.

Renfro said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irradiated_mail

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Since i am from small island i don't think thats due to high security radiation etc...instead of silica gel...i had 1seed germinated half (white widow auto) and dead since i check in pot....bit 9 days none of seeds germinated yet BTW i ordered again what do you guys think >

I think your jumping to conclusions. A seed is a sealed unit, why would silica kill it?
More likely they were xrayed or they were bunk seeds in the first place.
Have you tried to contact the seed bank and told them 0% germination?

I store my seeds in old pill bottles inside a big zip lock bag with a silica pack in the bag. No issues after 5+ years.

My favorite breeder suggests using rice as silica can dry the seeds out too much.

how long are you guys storing seeds for that you need special storing equipment and requirements?

10 years?

redivider said:

how long are you guys storing seeds for that you need special storing equipment and requirements?

10 years?

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I got some stored for 5 years that germinate fine. Even some old packs from a breeder that are more like 10 years old with his storage and then mine. Most of them germinate.

coreywebster said:

I think your jumping to conclusions. A seed is a sealed unit, why would silica kill it?
More likely they were xrayed or they were bunk seeds in the first place.
Have you tried to contact the seed bank and told them 0% germination?

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Hi .

Thank you for your answer. Without jumping conclusion there is no much thing to do my side except suspect silica gel..


I purchased seeds man from Halloween .. 46 seeds from different breeders (Auto - photos from Dina fem / royal queen seeds . female seeds etc )

I am not sure the package is Xrays or not but never happens before.. I planted 7 seeds direct soil /..jiffy like i explained before nothing works...some died with small tap root..some died after crack..some never cracked...after21 days..


Yes seeds are in separate zip bags as they ship all packets inside glass vitamin bottle with 1 silica gel...other than that i have not done anything....seeds may stored around 3 months max...i got my packages for last year seeds man Halloween..

Now i truly lost....i ordered again hopefuly waiting...its not nothing.,..as you no even for super newbie it will not a reason for 46 seeds ?

Appreciate answer from professional like you. I started growing last year this is my 4th time never happended before..please ..

Thank you again

DIdnt contact seeds bank yet i lost 46 seeds from different breeders i didn't want to contact them as i suspect its my end... but now i think its their issue.

MichiganMedGrower said:

My favorite breeder suggests using rice as silica can dry the seeds out too much.

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I put only 1 silica gel packae inside glass bottle. (all seeds contains separate strains separate zip bags as they originally came

I was told that going above 60f while excessively dry is hard on seeds.

NewbyGrower77 said:

I put only 1 silica gel packae inside glass bottle. (all seeds contains separate strains separate zip bags as they originally came

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Im not saying it was the silica. Although you cant know how much you had for the volume. I am just passing along a caution from an old known breeder.

There are too many variables to germination for me to know. Its usually temperature that gets me. Cold here.

MichiganMedGrower said:

Im not saying it was the silica. Although you cant know how much you had for the volume. I am just passing along a caution from an old known breeder.

There are too many variables to germination for me to know. Its usually temperature that gets me. Cold here.

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My country always 29C - 30C .... So i guess vitamin bottle silcia is a bad idea.... hopefully i am waiting for new batch...