Vacuum packing seeds

[Greenleaves]

Question for the Oracle

Been sorting seeds this morning and planning for the big event later in the spring and whilst sorting I came across loads I had forgotten about.

I was wondering if open packets at the end of the season would benefit from vacuum packing.....any thoughts?

[nickdub]

dry and cool is the best way for preserving the majority if seeds.

If you want to bother, its worth hanging on to the small packets of silica gel which come with some electrical items - these can be dried out if damp, in a low temperature oven for 20 minutes. Then put your seed packets and the gel sachets into a plastic box with a tight fitting lid and store somewhere cool but above freezing ( a fridge is good, if there's room)

There are a few exceptions to this for some seeds, so if you have anything expensive its worth checking the internet for specific storage info.

[veggiechicken]

Question for the Oracle

Been sorting seeds this morning and planning for the big event later in the spring

Are you having a baby, GL?

[Small pumpkin]

I've often wondered the same GL. I'd probably seal them but not vaccum seal them ( does that make any sense at all? ). My vaccum packer has the option of doing either.
As they are alive but dormant, I'd feel a bit mean sucking all the air out of the packet. But how much air do they have in their original sealed packet?
I did a swap once and I was sent vaccum package strawberry plants! I was horrified when I saw them. They did all make it, which surprised me!

[Small pumpkin]

Are you having a baby, GL?

I didn't like to ask

[Greenleaves]

Hopefully in the spring I will have lots of babies.....baby seedlings that is. If the OH was I would be suing Bupa Or looking for a bloke with a dog and a white stick!

[Zelenina]

Vacuum packing sounds like a lot of trouble to me. I used to reseal paper packets with sellotape after use, but I soon gave up bothering. What I do now is just turn over the open ends of inner foil packets once or twice after use and press them closed with my thumb and fingers, and I might squeeze any excess air out gently at the same time. Then I put them back in their paper packets and turn the open ends of them down too. Or those that come in plastic ziplock baggies (e.g. self-saved seeds) just get the air squeezed out and then rezipped. Then I put them all back into airtight plastic food boxes and store them in the coolest part of my house. They seem to keep OK like that. If there's any chance the seeds or packets got a bit damp during sowing, I might not do that immediately but give them some time to dry off first. I've discovered that it's a very good idea to write the variety name on the inner foil packet if it isn't printed there already.

[Snadger]

Question for the Oracle

Been sorting seeds this morning and planning for the big event later in the spring and whilst sorting I came across loads I had forgotten about.

I was wondering if open packets at the end of the season would benefit from vacuum packing.....any thoughts?

Congratulations!

[rary]

Hopefully in the spring I will have lots of babies.....baby seedlings that is. If the OH was I would be suing Bupa Or looking for a bloke with a dog and a white stick!

I would bet that you hope "what's said on the Vine, stays on the Vine"

[Lumpy]

Can't you just use the ones that are going out of date this year and then there is no faffing about trying to re sort your seeds out from the vacuum bag after they have been sucked up your nozzle.

[veggiechicken]

That was my thought too, Lumpy, then I realised what a time saving idea it was. If the seeds are sucked into the vacuum bag, which is always full of dust and fluff, and stored somewhere warm - the seeds would germinate inside the cleaner and could be emptied into seed trays ready for growing on.

Great idea GL - much better than have a baby.

[Lumpy]

^^^^^^^^^ Oh no I feel a daft idea coming on...........................

[nickdub]

That was my thought too, Lumpy, then I realised what a time saving idea it was. If the seeds are sucked into the vacuum bag, which is always full of dust and fluff, and stored somewhere warm - the seeds would germinate inside the cleaner and could be emptied into seed trays ready for growing on.

Great idea GL - much better than have a baby.

Obvious when you think about it - KISS principle in action. BTW I never knew you need a vacuum to make a baby before, must be why you see so many given as wedding presents. :-)

[Lumpy]

..............I was going to comment but thought better of it as I don't want to be banned for lewd behaviour.

[veggiechicken]

I've been biting my tongue too - so tempting.