Although it’s not difficult to preserve cannabis seeds correctly, novice growers should be especially conscious of a number of important factors. Light, temperature, humidity, and seed storage techniques are important maintenance elements. Don’t freak out if this appears like a minefield!
We’ll go through the major dos and don’ts of storage in this article, not just the hows but also the whys so that your priceless seeds will be ready to grow when you are.
Knowing the Essentials of Seed Storage
It’s imperative to deprive marijuana seeds of the circumstances necessary for growth before storing them. Failure to do so may result in a decrease in germination rates, and you might find yourself opening a container of seeds that are no longer viable and useless.
Take into account all the factors that affect plant growth, and if necessary, conduct additional research to have a better understanding of how these can affect seed storage. The manner you store your seeds should attempt to mimic the crucial winter conditions, which should prevent the seeds from germinating, as most plants view winter as a time of dormancy and spring as a time of fresh growth.
The Perfect Conditions to Store your Seeds
Temperature
It’s crucial to store seeds at the proper temperature. This is so that the seed may start germination as soon as other indications and warmer temperature changes signal that winter is over. Avoid keeping your seeds in environments where the temperature can fluctuate because they must remain constant during the storage time. The ideal setting is cool.
If you plan to keep your seeds in a refrigerator for a long time, be aware that every time you open the door, the temperature will slightly fluctuate. If at all possible, try to use a separate fridge just for storing seeds. Place seeds at the back of the refrigerator.
Place them in an appropriate, light-resistant container and keep them there until you’re ready to use them. Although there are different perspectives regarding the ideal temperature, aim for a range of 5-8°C, or 41-46°F, as this keeps the seeds cool enough to prevent them from bursting open. But the temperature is not low enough to harm the seeds.
Humidity
To preserve the seeds’ outer shell, keep humidity levels under control. The seed may interpret wetness as a cue to spring into life and begin growing if the relative humidity starts to climb. This does not imply that you should aim for maximum dryness in the storage environment. Drying out the seeds causes more damage. The ideal relative humidity range is between 20 and 30 per cent; any higher could actually promote germination.
Be mindful that long-term storage necessitates a lower level of humidity in the 10% range and that refrigerator storage does entail some danger of fluctuating humidity. The ideal location is somewhere dry.
Light
Outside, sunlight serves as a crucial stimulant, while indoors, growers employ artificial lighting to aid in plant growth. In other words, another stimulus to avoid when safely storing your seeds is light. It is essential to keep seeds dormant by storing them in complete darkness at low temperatures and low humidity.
We advise stashing them away and leaving them there since anything—even the light bulb in your refrigerator—could potentially become an issue. If your refrigerator is specifically designated for storing seeds, close the door fast and keep it closed until you’re ready to remove the seeds to plant them. The goal is to limit your exposure to light.
Where to Store your Seeds
There are so many options to choose from. Here are our most recommended ones.
- Envelopes: When you’re storing fewer seeds for a shorter amount of time (weeks or a couple of months). As the paper is sufficiently thick to shield the seeds from light and moisture, keeping them dormant over the short term, an envelope is a perfect storage solution in this situation.
- Glass Jars: Since they are completely impermeable, these have a distinct advantage over envelopes. Instead of using plastic lids, we advise using the kind that seals with rubber stoppers, much like a mason jar, because most plastic lids have a tendency to gradually let in small amounts of moisture.
- Desiccant Packs: These little pouches, which may be found in the packaging for a variety of products, from electronics to athletic shoes, are a crucial component in the seed storage game. These sachets, which typically include silica gel, an absorbent material, are your best ally for preventing mould growth and decreasing spoiling within sealed containers.
How Long can you Store your Seeds?
Marijuana seeds should preferably sprout as soon as possible. The response is approximately 16 months if stored at room temperature in a sealed container (although this is debated). However, if they are vacuum-sealed and stored in a dark environment without temperature variations, it can take years. You determine a seed’s lifespan.
Your seed germination should be simple if you keep them in a storage container that satisfies those requirements, and avoid temperature changes, and excessive moisture.
Like all living things, the quality of the source has a significant role. As a seed bank that takes pleasure in providing cannabis seeds that grow plants of the highest calibre, we examine each strain for vigour and resilience from seed to harvest.
Conclusion
Consistency is essential, even if research often leads to divergent conclusions regarding the ideal temperatures and humidity levels for storing seeds. Your major goal, whatever you choose, should be to maintain that in the best possible circumstances. The most obvious modification to the seed is change. While it’s essential to keep light out of the storage space and maintain temperatures and humidity levels that are low enough to prevent germination but not so low as to harm the seeds, it’s equally important to prevent any of these factors from fluctuating.