Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 09:08:50 -0000 From: Nigel Hurneyman <nhurneyman@onemeaning.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg4512$foo@default> Subject: Seed Longevity
I went to a lecture explaining how various UK organisations were helping 3rd
world countries set up their own seed banks. The major factors affecting seed
longevity are moisture, air, heat and light. The method they recommended for
storing seed in a domestic refrigerator was to put them in a plastic bag, add a
sachet of silica gel to absorb moisture, squeeze as much air out as possible
then seal the plastic bag. Put the seed-containing plastic bags in a light and
air proof container with more silica gel and store in a refrigerator between 0 and
4 degrees Celsius.
Two things to note:
Apparently the Kew/Millennium/Princess Di etc Seed Bank are freezing their
seeds, which seems at odds with the information disseminated by the lecture.
Also, e-mails to this list server have reported that some CP seeds prefer to be
kept slightly moist.
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