long term seed storage

[pawpaw]

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep98/seed0998.htm"]hxxp://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep98/seed0998.htm

 

[ozzydiodude]

Hey Pawpaw just copy and paste it to here so you don't have the live link.

 

[pawpaw]

Crud! I thought I had this figured out. -- thanks finally got it, I hope. I will go back and check all my links – again!

Edit: Looks like they are all good now. Please kick me in the butt if you see another such transgression. And thanks again for the help.

 

[Hick]

haaa.. dang hi-tech gadgets...
interesting article, but I wish it were more 'conclusive'..
I knew 'I' needed glasses, but never realized seeds had 'em..

 

[pawpaw]

I gather from the article that though ideal methods will vary from species to species and there are other uncrtainties the general recommendation is:

Preconditioning the seeds by holding them at 5 degrees C and 25% RH for a few weeks achieves optimal water content for long term storage at -18 degrees C

5C ~= 41 degrees F
–18C ~= 0 degrees F

Your home frig/freezer can be set to these temps. I will start today on developing a method for achieving the RH requirements in a Mason jar.