So I'm starting to wonder if the way that I have my seeds stored is a good idea.
Part of the problem is that I have a LOT of seed. About 2/3's are grain seed and 1/3 is vegetable seed so I could potentially move the vegetable seed indoors but it would take up a lot of space. 10 buckets veggie.
Seeds are stored in 5 gallon buckets with gamma seal lids and inside a homemade moisture absorbor of a full 12 oz cup. They are stored underground in a basement like structure that is packed with other LTS goods. Not to worried about the other goods in buckets and cans and such as they are all properly stored as well, but seeds seem to be very sensitive. The temperature is 38-45 degrees year round. The humidity is 60-70% but I do run a dehumidifier every few days and get about 15-20 oz of water to get humidity down to 40%. It really seems like just a little bit of humidity in the air tight area makes the humidity go way up. But only taking that small amount of water out making it go way down makes me think it's not much of an issue. For more info I have ammo cans with the rectangular moisture absorbors and they do not change color ever so I am thinking that essentially the seeds should not have moisture penetrating the buckets of seeds. I would just run the dehumidifier full time but I'm off-grid so I can't do that on my system.
What are your thoughts for anyone who knows how to store seed long term?
Would I just loose some germination but still have some good seed after say 10 years? Or is this just altogether bad and I need to move inside my home? Not sure that is a great solution as inside the house is only really dry in the winter when the wood stove is going.
Part of the problem is that I have a LOT of seed. About 2/3's are grain seed and 1/3 is vegetable seed so I could potentially move the vegetable seed indoors but it would take up a lot of space. 10 buckets veggie.
Seeds are stored in 5 gallon buckets with gamma seal lids and inside a homemade moisture absorbor of a full 12 oz cup. They are stored underground in a basement like structure that is packed with other LTS goods. Not to worried about the other goods in buckets and cans and such as they are all properly stored as well, but seeds seem to be very sensitive. The temperature is 38-45 degrees year round. The humidity is 60-70% but I do run a dehumidifier every few days and get about 15-20 oz of water to get humidity down to 40%. It really seems like just a little bit of humidity in the air tight area makes the humidity go way up. But only taking that small amount of water out making it go way down makes me think it's not much of an issue. For more info I have ammo cans with the rectangular moisture absorbors and they do not change color ever so I am thinking that essentially the seeds should not have moisture penetrating the buckets of seeds. I would just run the dehumidifier full time but I'm off-grid so I can't do that on my system.
What are your thoughts for anyone who knows how to store seed long term?
Would I just loose some germination but still have some good seed after say 10 years? Or is this just altogether bad and I need to move inside my home? Not sure that is a great solution as inside the house is only really dry in the winter when the wood stove is going.
