Storing Seeds
Storing Seeds
Cannabis seeds look pretty protected thanks to their tough outer shell. But while they can withstand a variety of conditions by nature, they don’t last forever. For example, rapid temperature changes and high humidity can ruin a whole batch of seeds in no time. Luckily, it’s not that hard to take good care of your seeds. Read on to find out how.
There’s Life in Your Seeds
Many people don’t think about it, but it’s true – your cannabis seeds are living organisms. Before they germinate, however, they are in a state of dormancy. Just like animals that hibernate. And just like anything that lives, seeds can die. When storing seeds, you need to do so under the very best conditions. Only then can you be sure that they are still viable when you want to germinate and plant them.
Ideal Conditions for Cannabis Seeds
Cannabis seeds have four main enemies:
1. Moisture
2. Temperature
3. Light
4. Oxygen
Ideally, you should store your seeds in a cool, dark, dry place. If possible, leave them in their original packaging.
Exposing your seeds to light or rapid temperature changes can cause them to use up their stored nutrients before you plant them. This leaves them without the nutrients they need to germinate. However, high humidity can cause mold to grow on your seeds.
The Effects of Humidity on Cannabis Seeds
Humidity is one of the biggest enemies of your cannabis seeds. Here are the effects seeds experience from different percentages of relative humidity.
Where and How to Store Cannabis Seeds
For short-term storage, simply choose a dark kitchen cupboard or drawer where the temperature is stable. Avoid storing your seeds in areas of your home that are affected by the temperature fluctuations of your climate.
For example, do you live in a place where it is very hot during the day and cool at night? Protect your seeds from these fluctuations and do not store them in a log cabin or garage.
For long-term storage, it is best to store your cannabis seeds in a sealed container in the refrigerator with a desiccant, such as silica gel. Be aware that there can be large temperature fluctuations when you open the refrigerator door. If you are lucky enough to have a second refrigerator that you do not use as often as the one in the kitchen, store your cannabis there.
We emphasize this again: keep your seeds in their original packaging for as long as possible. If you open a bag and do not use the entire contents, immediately put the remaining seeds in a sealed, airtight container.
Ziplock bags are great, for example. You can remove all the air, so your seeds are practically vacuum-packed. Once all the air is out, put the ziplock bag in a dark plastic bag or opaque container. This protects the seeds from the light of the refrigerator.
It is best to store your cannabis seeds in a dry refrigerator, a so-called 'No Frost refrigerator'. The problem with a normal refrigerator is the moisture, perhaps the greatest danger to seeds (even more so than temperature, light and oxygen).4
Can You Store Seeds in the Freezer?
Yes, you can safely store cannabis seeds in a freezer. The lower the temperature, the slower they will deteriorate. However, it is generally not necessary to freeze your cannabis seeds. Just do what we recommend above and you can easily store your seeds for five years. You will also notice that the germination rate remains high.
Which Seeds Should You Plant and Which Should You Store?
When you are ready to germinate your seeds, give them a thorough inspection and first select the seeds with a damaged outer shell. This hard shell serves to protect the delicate ovary inside. Seeds with a damaged outer shell are much more sensitive and should not be stored for long periods of time.
At Royal Queen Seeds, we pride ourselves on supplying only the highest quality seeds. This means that we thoroughly inspect all of our seeds during the packaging process. If you do find any damage, please contact our customer service immediately.
Tips for Germinating Old Cannabis Seeds
Everyone has come across a stray seed in the drawer of an old cupboard. Here are some tips for germinating older stray seeds:
Pre-soak them in soda water
Before germinating old seeds, soak them in soda water enriched with fulvic acid, a germination booster, hydrogen peroxide or gibberellic acid. For best results, make sure the water is at room temperature and let your seeds soak in a dark place for 12 hours.
Damage the outer skins
Older seeds often have an extra hard outer skin. Scratching the skin with sandpaper allows moisture and heat to enter better during the germination process. Try to gently damage your old cannabis seeds before soaking them, this may help them sprout better.
Remove the vein from the seed
The vein is the part of the seed that is slightly raised. Like other parts of the seed coat, this can become quite tough over time. Cutting it away with a razor-sharp knife can sometimes help your seed germinate.
Cut the seed open
As a last-ditch effort to get your seeds to germinate, you could cut the seed coat open. Don’t expect miracles, be careful not to damage the inside of the seed. If you damage the embryo, the cannabis seed will not germinate.
Remember that there are also older seeds that simply won’t germinate, no matter what you try. If possible, don’t buy more seeds at once than you are going to grow, then you will avoid problems at the germination time.