Chia seeds — how long do they keep?
petalique
last year
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petalique
last yearRelated Discussions
How long potatoes seeds keep???
Comments (2)If they are kept cool (35F-40F), in the dark, in a relative humidity of between 50% and 90%, they will keep for months. Under ideal conditions, potatoes will keep between 8-10 months. Keeping ideal conditions in the summer, however, is quite difficult as things tend to get too warm. If you can keep them close to the ideal conditions, then they really should last until June. A few weeks before your new grow bags arrive, move the potatoes into a cool spot with indirect light, like a north facing porch. By the time you are ready to plant, they will have started their sprouting....See MoreHow long does grass seed keep?
Comments (3)They have found viable seeds that are hundreds of years old. The key is dark, dry and cool. A quick test. Wet a paper towel and ring it out so it is damp. Put 10 seeds on it, fold it in half, and put in in a ziplock baggie. Put the baggie on the counter and check it daily. I assume your "deep shade" mix is mostly fine and creeping fescue. If so, you should see some germination in a week or so. Let it go a few days after the first seed germinates. Could the number that germinated out of 10 and you will get an estimate of how viable the seed is....See MoreHow long will amaranth seed keep?
Comments (2)Hi Glacier - most likely not as that type of storage isn't noted for long term preservation. However you can do a germination test on it to know for sure. Scatter 10 seeds on a well-damp coffee filter, fold it over and place it in a sealed ziplock bag and place it near a sunny window. Check after 3 days and daily thereafter for any germination. If none germinate within 20 days you might as well pitch it. But if some do, the number that germinate will give you a good indication of the % of germination you can expect from the rest. Good luck. Dave...See MoreHow long do seeds keep?
Comments (4)Bruce, It depends on the type of seed, but almost all seeds that have been dried down to 8% or less will break and not just bend if you bend one in half with your fingers. A seed with more moisture will bend or fold in half, but not break. A properly dried corn or bean seed, for example, will shatter when you set it down on a concrete garage floor or driveway and hit it with a hammer if it is dried down to the proper moisture level for freezer storage. The reason they have to be so dry before put into freezer storage is that seeds with a higher moisture level can be damaged in the freezer. At higher moisture levels, the excess moisture in the seed expands when frozen and that expansion causes cell membranes to rupture. And, some small seeds can and do dry down to very low moisture levels--as low as about 4-5% because of their lower mass. Even seeds that have been properly dried and properly stored in airtight containers in the freezer can sometimes suffer from damage as they are brought out of the freezer. It is best to take them out of the freezer and let them sit unopened either all day or all night before you open the container. If you open up the container before the seeds have naturally warmed up to room temperature, moisture can condense on the cold seeds and rehydrate them. Also, after removing the room-temperature seeds from the container, reseal it and put it back in the freezer. Finally, it is best to let the previously frozen seeds sit at room temperature in a cool, dry location for a few days before you plant them. That way, they are slowly absorbing small amounts of moisture from the air over time which is an easier adjustment that going from cold dry-storage in the freezer to moist soil in the ground (or in starter flats ) all in a day or less. Dawn...See Morepetalique
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