Once you have selected your favorite seeds, the next step is storing them to keep them safe and preserve their quality.
If your seeds are not stored properly, there are various environmental factors that can cause them to deteriorate before you ever get a chance to see them grow. Fortunately, you can keep them safe and sound. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of storing and preserving the seeds step by step.
There are few things that you need to know to preserve the integrity and viability of your seeds. Cannabis seeds are the orthodox type, or desiccation-tolerant, meaning they can be stored for a long time. In fact, they can be stored up to 10 years if the right process is followed. Most seeds have a shelf-life of around 4 to 5 years, and some seeds can even sustain for ten years.
Here are a few ways to preserve your seeds:
It doesn’t matter if you are a cannabis enthusiast or just growing cannabis for fun—you need to follow these steps:
- Do not keep the seeds in direct sunlight.
- Store them in a dry place.
- Keep them cool as much as possible (it helps to monitor the temperature).
Also, for the best results, keep the seeds in an opaque (or at least dark colored) & airtight container. You can also go for Ziplock or vacuum sealed bag. To keep the environment dry, you can use a desiccant. Further, if a consistent temperature is maintained, then the seeds will remain viable for at least a few years.
Refrigeration:
People usually store their decade-old germinated seeds in the refrigerator. But, the problem with refrigeration is that the seeds come in contact with moisture and molding occurs. The best thing is to store your seeds in an airtight, opaque container along with the desiccator and keep the seeds in the dark.
Freezing:
This is another popular seed-preserving method. Take care, however—freezing your seeds might rupture some of the cells; hence the seeds may not germinate. Some people say that freezing the seeds in a vacuum-sealed package with a food-grade desiccant is best, but make sure that the temperature remains constant if you try this method.
Pro tip:
You’ll need to move the frozen seeds to the fridge first and then to room temperature so that they get themselves acclimatize with the environment. Regardless, the longer you wait to plant your seeds, the lesser viable they become. Germination starts to slow down as time passes. Refrigeration and freezing expose the seeds to excess moisture. So, it is always advisable to keep some seeds aside and stored properly at room temperature.
If you’re looking for seeds for your next big grow, you need to have a doctor’s medical recommendation for growing cannabis, and if you want to grow even more cannabis plants, then you can get your growers license. Medical Cannabis Card – San Diego offers both of these services, and we make the process quick and easy. After you get your online medical recommendation, you will be able to buy seeds from any dispensary without worrying about any potential legal issues.
Try these methods to preserve your seeds and tell us the one that worked for you.