Seed Storage in a Refrigerator

OddBall · September 19, 2010

I hope this is the correct place to post this, and I'm sorry in advance if someone asked the same questions before.

While I'm living in warm place, seed storing is a bit of an issue, so I'm thinking of keeping the seeds in a Refrigerator, and few things crossed my mind

Temperature: I have a thermostat in the refrigerator, and currently it's pointing at 8C ( about 46F ).
- Is it good or should I get it lower / higher ?

Containers: I have tomato seeds in their original packing, most of them are still sealed, and the others are opened.
- Can I put the sealed packets directly or place them in a different container ?
- for the opened ones, does placing them in a ziplock will be good enough ?

any suggestions are welcomed too

Bama mater · September 19, 2010

I've kept mine in the beer fridge for years, in their original packege, envelopes or in ziplocs, but I do keep all the seed packs in somthing like a tupperware container, and all the larger seeds Melons,Squash,etc I just keep in a large envelope. They should last 10-15 years.

OddBall · September 19, 2010

Thanks Bama mater,
I guess I better find a tupperware container, and place them in it.

franzb69 · September 19, 2010

afaik, the seeds have to be completely dry (if they're fresh seeds) and they have to be kept at the warmest and dryest part of the fridge. and you're good.

Timbotide · September 19, 2010

You can place small packs of silica gel in the container
the seeds are in to absorb moisture.
My local pharmacy saves the ones the get out of the
Medicine bottles for me and I have a Good supply of
Them.

Wi-sunflower · September 19, 2010

Temperature: I have a thermostat in the refrigerator, and currently it's pointing at 8C ( about 46F ).
- Is it good or should I get it lower / higher ?

I can't say about the seeds, but if you are keeping FOOD in that fridge, you are asking for food poisoning sooner or later as that's marginally too warm for safe food.

Around here the health depts insist on foods with something like mayo or cream dressings should be at no higher than 41* so most restaurants set their thermostats at 38.

Carol

OddBall · September 20, 2010

Thanks for the tips franzb69, and Timbotide.

Currently, the refrigerator is dry and cool, but I will look for silica gel and medical bottles.

Don't worry carol, there isn't any food in the refrigerator.
In the beginning I got it for germination process, but I wasn't successful in increasing the temperature to at least 20C ( about 70F ), so I have decided to have it as seed storage.

September 19, 2010	#1
OddBall Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bahrain (Zone 11) Posts: 102	Seed Storage in a Refrigerator I hope this is the correct place to post this, and I'm sorry in advance if someone asked the same questions before. While I'm living in warm place, seed storing is a bit of an issue, so I'm thinking of keeping the seeds in a Refrigerator, and few things crossed my mind Temperature: I have a thermostat in the refrigerator, and currently it's pointing at 8C ( about 46F ). - Is it good or should I get it lower / higher ? Containers: I have tomato seeds in their original packing, most of them are still sealed, and the others are opened. - Can I put the sealed packets directly or place them in a different container ? - for the opened ones, does placing them in a ziplock will be good enough ? any suggestions are welcomed too

September 19, 2010	#2
Bama mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 269	I've kept mine in the beer fridge for years, in their original packege, envelopes or in ziplocs, but I do keep all the seed packs in somthing like a tupperware container, and all the larger seeds Melons,Squash,etc I just keep in a large envelope. They should last 10-15 years.

September 19, 2010	#4
franzb69 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 210	afaik, the seeds have to be completely dry (if they're fresh seeds) and they have to be kept at the warmest and dryest part of the fridge. and you're good.

September 19, 2010	#5
Timbotide Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northport Alabama Posts: 304	You can place small packs of silica gel in the container the seeds are in to absorb moisture. My local pharmacy saves the ones the get out of the Medicine bottles for me and I have a Good supply of Them.

September 19, 2010	#6
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	Temperature: I have a thermostat in the refrigerator, and currently it's pointing at 8C ( about 46F ). - Is it good or should I get it lower / higher ? I can't say about the seeds, but if you are keeping FOOD in that fridge, you are asking for food poisoning sooner or later as that's marginally too warm for safe food. Around here the health depts insist on foods with something like mayo or cream dressings should be at no higher than 41* so most restaurants set their thermostats at 38. Carol

September 20, 2010	#7
OddBall Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bahrain (Zone 11) Posts: 102	Thanks for the tips franzb69, and Timbotide. Currently, the refrigerator is dry and cool, but I will look for silica gel and medical bottles. Don't worry carol, there isn't any food in the refrigerator. In the beginning I got it for germination process, but I wasn't successful in increasing the temperature to at least 20C ( about 70F ), so I have decided to have it as seed storage.