fridge storage for saved tomato seeds

zeroma · September 30, 2012

I was searching the web to find the best way to store my dried tomato seeds. One way was to put the paper envelopes, well marked as to type, date harvested, etc and then put the envelopes into an air tight glass jar in the fridge.

Some others say to put the drying things from some prescription medicines into the jar with the enveloped seeds or directly into the envelope with no fridge storage.

What has worked the best for you?

Worth1 · September 30, 2012

No need to put tomato seeds in the fridge.
I have some pretty old seeds I have sprouted without cold storage.
Like 8 years old.

Worth

coloken · September 30, 2012

Here in dry Colorado I have used up to 16 year old tomato seeds that were just in their original paper envelope. In a desk draw or box, any old place. My opinion is that a refrigerator is the wrong way to go because of the moisture, but that is just my opinion. I think people worry too much about it.

Added; Lately I have been using pill bottles and I wonder if the seed is realty dry to be shut up in a tight place. they seem to be OK, but i have only done that for a couple of years. Might be a problem for people in a humid place.
KennyP

zeroma · September 30, 2012

Thanks Worth1, I'm not too worried about them, but just wondering how some of you way more experienced seed savers do it!

colken, that's funny you use pill bottles. I just started putting plain old common marigold seeds in them. I have so many. (of both).

I was even thinking of making my own 'seed tapes' as a craft of kids to help with and then plant them in their own garden spaces in the Spring.

Barbee · September 30, 2012

I have a fancy set up here. I store the seeds in coin envelopes in a shoe box

Worth1 · October 1, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbee

I have a fancy set up here. I store the seeds in coin envelopes in a shoe box

Me too.

Worth

halleone · October 1, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbee

I have a fancy set up here. I store the seeds in coin envelopes in a shoe box

Me three. Larger seeds like bean seed get a recycled pill bottle.

gixxerific · October 1, 2012

I just store mine in coin enveolpes in the box the coin envelopes came in.

zeroma · October 1, 2012

Thanks everyone! I love the coin envelopes and shoe box idea myself too.

JerryL · October 4, 2012

Here is how I store mine. Labeled with a year and sequence number then tracked in an Excel Spreadsheet.

September 30, 2012	#1
zeroma Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 637	fridge storage for saved tomato seeds I was searching the web to find the best way to store my dried tomato seeds. One way was to put the paper envelopes, well marked as to type, date harvested, etc and then put the envelopes into an air tight glass jar in the fridge. Some others say to put the drying things from some prescription medicines into the jar with the enveloped seeds or directly into the envelope with no fridge storage. What has worked the best for you?

September 30, 2012	#3
coloken Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NE Co Posts: 303	Here in dry Colorado I have used up to 16 year old tomato seeds that were just in their original paper envelope. In a desk draw or box, any old place. My opinion is that a refrigerator is the wrong way to go because of the moisture, but that is just my opinion. I think people worry too much about it. Added; Lately I have been using pill bottles and I wonder if the seed is realty dry to be shut up in a tight place. they seem to be OK, but i have only done that for a couple of years. Might be a problem for people in a humid place. KennyP Last edited by coloken; September 30, 2012 at 03:49 PM.

September 30, 2012	#5
Barbee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,818	I have a fancy set up here. I store the seeds in coin envelopes in a shoe box __________________ *Barbee*

September 30, 2012	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	No need to put tomato seeds in the fridge. I have some pretty old seeds I have sprouted without cold storage. Like 8 years old. Worth

October 1, 2012	#8
gixxerific Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: in the gutter, with my mouth Posts: 123	I just store mine in coin enveolpes in the box the coin envelopes came in.