Storing Cannabis Seeds
Is storing Cannabis Seeds the right way important? There is one simple fact that many growers tend to forget. Cannabis Seeds are alive! Just like any other living organism. So, storing them the right way may get them to be good indefinitely. There are growers that keep them for 5-10 years under proper storage, and they are as good as a few months old seeds.
What are the ideal conditions for storing Cannabis Seeds?
There are different factors to keep in mind while wondering about Cannabis Seed storage, these are the following:
- Light
- Humidity
- Temperature
- Storage
- Insects & Pests
Let’s go through them one by one.
Light
In order to keep your seeds viable for as long as possible, you need to store them in a cool, dark and dry location. So, when we speak about light, we are actually speaking about darkness.
Why darkness?
Seeds must be stored in the dark, because light triggers germination. If seeds are exposed to light, even if they do not have any of the other conditions required for germination, the chemical processes for germination are triggered.
This means they begin using up their stored nutrients, which reduces their germination power. When you then try to germinate them later, they may not have sufficient nutrients left and the chances of success are much lower.
Humidity
When storing cannabis seeds, humidity levels are an important factor. In order to germinate cannabis seeds, moist humid conditions are used. So it makes sense to use low humidity conditions for cannabis seed storage. You certainly don’t want to store your seeds anywhere where moisture droplets, which will soften the shell. Water/moisture is a very effective way to soften the hard, rigid shell of the cannabis seed. This allows the tap root to emerge.
For the best results, keep moisture levels between 5% and 9%. An airtight, sealed container is a great way to do this. You could also add something to help absorb any moisture, such as silica packets or even uncooked rice.
If you decide to use one of these methods, make sure you use something food-grade. Remember, this material will be sitting in storage next to your seeds. It’s also a good idea to use some sort of barrier, such as some cotton wool, between your moisture-absorbing packs and the marijuana seeds. This will leave the seeds undisturbed while the moisture problems are addressed.
Temperature
Storing cannabis seeds at low humidity levels in a dark place is a great way to maintain good germination rates. But one of the best ways for preserving cannabis seeds is to use low temperatures. At low temperatures cannabis seed life is greatly extended. This is because the delicate living plant tissue inside the seed can survive for much longer periods at cool temperatures which slow down the cellular biochemistry. It’s the same reason that food lasts longer in the fridge than it would at room temperature.
What is the ideal temperature for storing Cannabis Seeds?
The ideal temperature is between 42° and 46° F, which is approximately 6° and 8° C. You can certainly store them in warmer temperatures, but it will reduce the shelf life. If you plan on keeping them for a long time without germinating them, you’ll want to keep them cool.
Can I store my Cannabis Seeds in my freezer?
Storing Cannabis Seeds in the freezer is possible and it allows even better seed storage. However, this does come with some risks. When stored at freezer temperatures you can expect cannabis seeds to remain viable for decades. The very low temperatures effectively allow the seed embryo to survive for long periods. However, if shaken or nor handled properly and with care, the seed embryo may shatter.
Storage
People store their seeds in all kinds of different containers. Since they are small, you can put them in just about anything. But many common containers used to store weed seeds are not great. We’ll begin with the best options and end with some that are not recommended.
Vacuum Sealing
Whichever type of container you choose, it is best if you can vacuum seal it, or vacuum seal the seeds inside a smaller container within the other one. As mentioned above, keeping oxygen levels low is ideal and the best way to do that, and also ensure minimal environmental fluctuations, is to keep the seeds in a vacuum.
Glass Jar
Glass jars are great for storing seeds. However, most of them are not opaque, so you will need to keep them in a dark location so that light does not reach the seeds.
Plastic Container
Plastic is not the best material for storing weed seeds, because it has microscopic pores that let in some of the outside environment. They work fine for shorter term storage, but if you are planning on keeping your seeds in storage for a longer period of time, you should avoid plastic.
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are not ideal. Most of them are not airtight, which means the seeds will not be isolated from the environment.
Paper Envelope
Paper envelopes are great for holding seeds because they generally keep out light. But they are not good on their own. If you put your seeds in a paper container, you need to place that within a better container, like a jar.
What are the best places to store your Cannabis Seeds?
Refrigerator
As you may have guessed, fridges meet all the requirements for a suitable place to store seeds. Cool, dark and dry.
Just try and use one that you do not use frequently as if it gets open regularly, there would be temperature fluctuation and light might come in.
A basement
Any place far from daylight or any light at all is good. Try to keep the temperature regular and a basement could be the solution you are looking for.
Regular Room
Any room could work. However, a room you use regularly will have higher temperatures than ideal and they would not be good for long term storage.
Insects & Pests
Before you seal your container up tightly, make sure to check it carefully for pests. You do not want a single insect in the jar with your seeds, because it could potentially do serious damage to them. Once you’ve confirmed the container is pest free, seal it up tightly to ensure it stays that way.
How to Store Cannabis Seeds for the long term
If your goal is to store your seeds for the long term, use our tips and you will be fine. Keep in mind the type of container, you will be better off with an opaque vacuum sealed container. Keep them in a dark room or fridge, remove the excess moisture and let them be.
What happens when cannabis seeds are stored improperly?
If seeds are exposed to light or rapid temperature change, this can trigger a number of events that will damage their longevity.
First, it can trigger them to use up their nutrient stores before they should be used. This means when it’s time to germinate, they won’t have enough nutrients. Exposure to high humidity can trigger fungi growth.
If the storage space has an 8-9% level of humidity, it may eventually attract pests and insects. Once it hits 12-14% humidity, it’s possible for fungi to grow inside and outside of your seeds.
When humidity levels reach higher levels, around 18-20% humidity, the seeds will begin to sweat. Once you’ve reached 20-30% humidity, it’s a good idea to store your seeds. Around 40-60% humidity will lead to germination. You do not want this if you’re not using your seeds yet. And finally, 80-100% humidity will cause seeds to drown and wilt in less than a day.
Final Thoughts:
Depending on your goal, be it to purchase seeds and germinate them right away or keeping them stored for the long term, keep these articles and tips in mind and you will have no problem.
For the short term, the most important thing is to avoid temperature and humidity fluctuations.
For the medium term, keep the seeds in a dark container and keep temperature and humidity controlled.
And for the long term, mind the container, the place to store them, the temperature and humidity fluctuations and let the seeds be.
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