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Cacti & Succulents

Best way to store cacti & succulent seeds

11 years ago

I was thinking about buying some succulent & cacti seeds but wasn't planning on sowing them for a few months. I know that different seeds have different lengths of viability but in general can I store them in the fridge with the rest of my seeds? If not what's the best way to store them or should I wait and buy them closer to the time I want to plant? I know that huernia seeds store quite well in the fridge but don't know about anything else. TIA

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Comments (7)

bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
11 years ago
Good question... had you thought about asking the vendor/supplier of the seed for specific storage requirements? Silly me, of course you have cuz you're a smart person and you grow some beautiful plants!
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
11 years ago
Oh, BTW what might be on this potential shopping list? Anything interesting....
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If you want the best results, DO NOT USE PLASTIC! Use some sort of paper. I like newspaper, folded into envelopes and the seams sealed with "scotch" tape. You may want to use a double thickness of newspaper. The newspaper absorbs and dissipates any residual moisture your seeds may retain. Plastic will hold that moisture and mildew may set up. You can use an open plastic box or pickle jar for storage but don't put on the top. Also, put paper towels in the bottom to absorb and dissipate moisture. For shipping, leave them in the newspaper envelope and then make fold them in cardboard for protection. Mail them in a padded envelope.
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The fruit of the plant will swell, and gradually turn from green to tan, brown, red in some species, golden in others. When the fruit ripens it will swell and burst open, I put tape so I won't lose the crop. Some plants are self fertile, others are not and need a partner. They are pollinated by hand, insects, birds, moths, etc. If you do it by hand you may pollinate each flower with a different partner, be sure to hang a tag on that flower with the fathers name. That way you will have plants that may be worth something for trade. Karen Zimmerman puts a tag on each hybrid with all six or more parents, however many that will fit. I was selling her plants today, and noticed this ID tags, on her plants. Any of you may edit this if you wish. I will not get my nose out of joint and will appreciate it if you do. Norma
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I use tiny plastic ziploc baggies (from the bead store) but some use paper envelopes. No need to refrigerate them. Keep them in an airtight canister in a cool, dry place. I put a thin layer of dessicant (that powder you buy in a box to dry flowers with.) Mine last for years that way. One exception is peas and beans which shouldn't be sealed. I've heard they need to breathe, but don't quote me on that one. I keep them loosely bagged and they do fine. When sending seed, I wrap the baggie in bubble wrap first.
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Where to buy cacti and succulent seeds in Canada?
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Hi brother We are from Peru, we make special shipments of 2 to 3 days, by DHL, We send your tracking number of your package. We send with HACCP certificate, technical sheet and invoice. We work with: ayahuasca ready to drink: $ 310 dollars per liter, includes special shipping. ayahuasca pieces: $ 50 dollars per kilo chacruna: $ 45 dollars per kilo mimosa: $ 40 dollars per kilo chaliponga: $ 45 dollars per kilo sage: $ 45 dollars per kilo kratom: $ 30 dollars per kilo dream herb: $ 40 dollars per kilo kanna: $ 50 dollars per kilo wild dagga: $ 45 dollars per kilo zornia: $ 40 dollars per kilo cactus: $ 40 dollars per kilo mapacho: $ 35 dollars per kilo I hope we can work in the future and have a business relationship for a long time. I wait for your pleasant answer Thank you. mail: carlos_yage.10@outlook.com
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karyn1
Original Author
11 years ago
They are all eBay listings so I hadn't asked. If I decide to buy I'll probably ask the vendors. Even though any vendor I'm looking at has an excellent feedback rating I don't necessarily trust what they say. I prefer to ask on the garden forums. When buying from a reputible nursery I usually trust what they say but eBay, eh. Howard it's just a variety of stuff. I'll send you a PM with what I'm looking at.
cactusjordi
11 years ago
Karyn,
don't expect the seeds to be fresh when buying them later. They will be the same seeds as offered earlier just be stored by the seller till you buy them.
And BTW I had good germination with 3 year old asclep seeds stored at room-temps. Other seeds in a thicker shell have an even longer shelf-live. I actually never use a fridge let alone a freezer to store seeds.

Jordi
Beachplants
11 years ago
With Jordi. I also keep my excess in a old shoebox, usually in a cupboard in the house until I have time to sow them.
karyn1
Original Author
11 years ago
Jordi you have a good point. I didn't even consider that. I've always kept seeds in the fridge. I actually have a fridge in the garage just for seeds. I don't have enough space to keep them anywhere else. I was just concerned that the cool temps might damage some. Huernia seeds are fine for quite a long time so I assume most asclepiads would do fine. Last night I noticed aloe seeds that had been stored in the fridge sprouted. I'd like to start the seeds right away but will be out of town for several weeks over the next few months. My mature plants don't suffer the neglect but my seedlings often do.
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
11 years ago
Something else.. I attended Michigan State University back in the Ice Age! Being a science major, I had occasion to take a botany class or two. There was a rather famous professor At MSU, William James Beal. He created the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden which is the oldest continuously operated botanical garden in the United States at MSU. Part of his research had to do with this very topic about seed viability. As the story goes, he buried numerous bottles, Beal's Bottles, on the grounds of the MSU campus (back then it was The Michigan Agricultural Collage). At predetermined times, a bottle would be dug up and the seeds planted to see how many would germinate. The experiment is still ongoing and will conclude in 2100. So Karyn, I guess it all depends on the seed. Here's wishing you 100%

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