Seed Storage: Plastic baggies or kraft coin envelopes?

shatbox · February 21, 2017

When storing seeds at room temp is paper or plastic better?

Edit: I should add, what's best for the seeds?

dmforcier · February 21, 2017

I don't think it makes a difference to the seed. Both are fairly porous.

Personally, I like to be able to see what's inside, and I can slip in a paper label without having to print up a sticky one.

AlittleSalt · February 21, 2017

My seed collection is stored in 80% plastic bags and 20% paper. I haven't seen any difference.

KarenO · February 21, 2017

My preference is plastic zip locks. Also for sending seed in the mail they are much lighter.
KarenO

shatbox · February 21, 2017

Is it true seeds need to breathe or is it a moisture thing?

KarenO · February 21, 2017

Dollar store zip locks are not airtight by any means. I think many people find them convenient, inexpensive widely available and protect their seeds from any outside moisture. I like to be able to see how many seeds are inside without opening the packet.

KarenO

brownrexx · February 21, 2017

I use regular paper envelopes. Easy to write on and more porous than plastic.

Most commercial seed envelopes are made of paper although I have seen a few plastic ones.

heirloomtomaguy · February 21, 2017

I use plastic baggies inside coin envelopes

Gardeneer · February 21, 2017

I use small plastic zip bags from craft stores.
Once the seeds are reasonably dry, they will stay unchanged in plastic zip bag, as no air/humidity can get in.

Worth1 · February 21, 2017

Coin envelopes.
Worth

Father'sDaughter · February 21, 2017

I go with little plastic ziplock "parts bags" with a white block you can write on.

I, too, like to see how many seeds I have without having to open an envelope. Any seeds I buy or receive in a trade immediately get transferred to one of these bags, with the source of the seeds included in the variety info I write on it.

Worth1 · February 21, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

I go with little plastic ziplock "parts bags" with a white block you can write on.

I, too, like to see how many seeds I have without having to open an envelope. Any seeds I buy or receive in a trade immediately get transferred to one of these bags, with the source of the seeds included in the variety info I write on it.

I can tell how many seeds are there just by holding the envelope up to my forehead.

Hntrss · February 22, 2017

Pill bottles seem good

BigVanVader · February 22, 2017

lol Worth
I use baggies

Tormato · February 23, 2017

With 12,000+ seed packs passing through in a year, I like clear plastic. I know how many seeds there are, and generally how clean they are.

Tormato

P.S. Then there's the 1 in 12,000 that looks like the description may be for a tomato, but it's pepper seed. I never would have caught it if it was in paper.

February 21, 2017	#1
shatbox Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles County, CA Posts: 258	Seed Storage: Plastic baggies or kraft coin envelopes? When storing seeds at room temp is paper or plastic better? Edit: I should add, what's best for the seeds? Last edited by shatbox; February 21, 2017 at 06:23 PM.

February 21, 2017	#2
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	I don't think it makes a difference to the seed. Both are fairly porous. Personally, I like to be able to see what's inside, and I can slip in a paper label without having to print up a sticky one. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

February 21, 2017	#8
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	I use plastic baggies inside coin envelopes __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

February 21, 2017	#9
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,919	I use small plastic zip bags from craft stores. Once the seeds are reasonably dry, they will stay unchanged in plastic zip bag, as no air/humidity can get in. __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

February 21, 2017	#3
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	My seed collection is stored in 80% plastic bags and 20% paper. I haven't seen any difference.

February 21, 2017	#4
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	My preference is plastic zip locks. Also for sending seed in the mail they are much lighter. KarenO

February 21, 2017	#7
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	I use regular paper envelopes. Easy to write on and more porous than plastic. Most commercial seed envelopes are made of paper although I have seen a few plastic ones.

February 21, 2017	#10
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Coin envelopes. Worth

February 21, 2017	#11
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I go with little plastic ziplock "parts bags" with a white block you can write on. I, too, like to see how many seeds I have without having to open an envelope. Any seeds I buy or receive in a trade immediately get transferred to one of these bags, with the source of the seeds included in the variety info I write on it.

February 22, 2017	#13
Hntrss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: New York Posts: 92	Pill bottles seem good

February 22, 2017	#14
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	lol Worth I use baggies

February 23, 2017	#15
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	With 12,000+ seed packs passing through in a year, I like clear plastic. I know how many seeds there are, and generally how clean they are. Tormato P.S. Then there's the 1 in 12,000 that looks like the description may be for a tomato, but it's pepper seed. I never would have caught it if it was in paper.