Seed storage vials

[happydog]

I spent all day yesterday sowing flats using Craig's fantastic dense planting method. I kept thinking of his sleek, streamlined process while I painstakingly opened and closed my hundreds of motley paper and plastic envelopes of various sizes and shapes.

I now know these things -
1. I hate the little plastic zip top bags
2. paper envelopes are fiddly and can't be sealed and unsealed multiple times
3. it's time to upgrade

So, now I'm seriously wanting to get some vials for seed storage. They seem very efficient, easy to handle, and easy to get seeds in & out of. I have a couple of questions for Craig or anybody else who uses these.
1. Does the 7 dram size work for all your seeds or do you use various sizes for different kinds of seeds? (Obviously not corn and beans. )
2. What do you store the vials in?
3. Are you happy with them or wish you had something different?

I'd be grateful to hear any thoughts you'd care to share about using them.

Thanks!

[coloken]

Each month I re-fill at least 5 prescriptions. I have boxes of empty pill bottles that work just fine for me. If you were close i would give you all you need. Does the drug store destroy the used ones?
KennyP

[JimM_SC]

Likewise, I use my perscription vials.
Jim

[kygreg]

One thing I use is coin tubes. I get them on line for about $22 for a box of 100 with screw on caps; the box is the storage unit. I use quarter tubes but that is just my preference.

[stormymater]

Try a "wanted" on your local freecycle for prescription bottles - www.freecycle.org

Hey there Happydog!

[Suze]

I order my seed storage vials from E.D. Luce, and a hat tip to nctomatoman because he gave me some good advice on vials and where and what to order a few years ago. Thanks Craig!

The majority of the time, I find the 5 dram clear snap cap vials meet my needs. However, I do sometimes use the 13 dram amber snap cap vials if I have saved a boatload of seed for a particular variety, or for larger (not tomatoes) seed.

Both sizes fit nicely in these Flambeau plastic cases I found at Fry's electronics. I can even carry these around without having to worry about the vials getting all jumbled up, which is nice.

A couple more pics/views of the vials and cases I use here.

[shatbox]

Have you tried American Science and Surplus?

I check in ever now and again, sometimes they have some great stuff. I'm always surprised. Plus they have funny descriptions!

sBox

[jamie_savoie]

this is a great idea! My cousin's working in a pharmacy, I think I will give her a call for some prescription hehehe

[happydog]

Thanks for the great ideas. After much thought (ok, obsessing) I rejected prescription bottles because I just need too many and then most of them have bulky childproof or screw on caps.

Coin tubes are a great idea but ultimately I decided snap caps would be more convenient.

I loved that science surplus store, what a riot to read all their descriptions! They've actually got some really good stuff and I did buy a few things.

I finally decided to splurge and get 300 snap cap vials. Now to get the cases... the pics were really helpful, as well as giving the sources. Thanks a bunch!

And hey to Stormy, how are things in Paradise?

[shatbox]

Please tell us how they work out! I've ordered different containers from them but vials look cooler.

sBox

[Cam3xl]

I started using black film canisters this year. permanent sharpie marker to label the grey tops. airtight, light safe, waterproof.

http://www.youtube.com/user/cam3xl?f.../3/pfCszW59NLQ

first couple of frames show the canisters. Good luck.

[kevinrs]

Only problem with film canisters would be, they are getting real hard to find unless you saved up a bunch years ago.

[happydog]

A word of warning on labeling lids: Don't do it! Label the containers instead.

I once had two kinds of sourdough stored in mason jars with carefully labeled lids. Then I took off the lids to feed them. Boy was that an OH CRAP moment when I went to close them back up and realized I wasn't sure which lid went to which jar.

I could see that happening even faster when planting seeds.

[robbyjoe01]

My wife works at Taco Bell and gives me a endless supply of condiment containers that I use to store and start seeds in

[GoldenQueen]

Craft stores, like Michael's or Hobby Lobby, has a lot of different types of storage containers that could work well, depending on how many varities and qty of seed you have.