I have been hearing different opinions on the pros and cons of vacuum packaging seeds. Some say it is ok if they are dried first. Others say, no way, they need to breathe a little.

I have heard that some have found their seeds won't grow after being vacuumed sealed. That would be a big kick in the pants.

Does anyone know the truth?

b

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), June 14, 1999

Answers

According to Gerri Guidetti (Ark Institute):

A. Cool is good, cold is better. Without oxygen is very bad.

B. Frozen seeds will last a long time. But, they had better be dry or the expansion of water as it freezes will help kill the seed. Freeze the seeds, rather than vacuum pack.

C. To dry seeds, use a desiccant. A good one can be had in WalMart, dried flowers section. It's sort of a blue small crystaline substance. Pack the seeds and dessicant into a mason jar. The dessicant can be in an envelope. Let it sit for a week or so to pull the excess moisture out of the seeds.

D. Put seeds, in their envelopes, into jars, and freeze them. Good for several years.

E. The dessicant (silica gel) can be recycled. It turns white and then pinkish as it absorbs moisture. Simply heat it to over boiling in an oven and drive the moisture out, at which time the dessicant will be blue again. Put it in a jar for use the next time.

De

-- de (delewis@inetone.net), June 14, 1999.

According to Back to Eden Survival Seeds:

"...vacuum packing the seeds will not kill them. The main reason for vacuum packing is that it will kill any insects/larvae that might be in with the seeds although we have yet to detect any in with the seeds. The length of viability of the seeds is somewhat extended by vacuum packing but the most important factor is that you store your seeds in a dark, dry, cool location."

This is the website: http://tlchub.com/seeds/index.shtml

I got my seeds from them; hope that the vacuum packaging is OK.

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), June 14, 1999.

Seeds are affected by moisture and temperature. You want to keep your seeds dry and cool. I store my seeds in the refrig in a canning jar. They are viable for several years this way. In the event of a prolonged power outage, put your canning jar of seeds in a gallon ziploc bag, enclosed in a 5 gallon "sealed" bucket and bury. This will at least maintain a cool, dry environment when you don't have power.

Seeds are living -- I don't think it is a good idea to vacuum seal them.

-- J. Lynn (puputedu@bigfoot.com), June 14, 1999.