How long can you store Cannabis seeds for?
Storing practices are vital to make your Cannabis seeds viable after some time. When properly stored safe from mold or pathogens that may spoil them, they could last for almost half a decade. Ensure that they are kept away from temperature change and humidity level fluctuation. For long-term storage, the best option is to refrigerate your Cannabis seeds.
How long can you store Cannabis seeds for?
What factors that you need to consider in storing Cannabis seeds?
Light
As much as possible, store your Cannabis seeds in a cool, dark, and dry location. When exposed to light, your Cannabis seeds will use their stored nutrients. Thus, you have to keep them away from the light because they will no longer have the nutrients to germinate when that happens. It would be best to keep your seeds in their original packaging.
Temperature
You have to regulate the storage temperature between 43°-47° Fahrenheit (6°-8° Celsius). When your seeds are stored in a place with a lower temperature, the likelihood of getting germinated is low. Seasoned growers store them in a special refrigerator that is a no-frost model. They also place Cannabis seeds in the fruit and vegetable section of the fridge.
You may also try freezing your Cannabis seeds. However, it would be best if you vacuumed pack them first. Then, place them inside a dark container before freezing. Once you take them out of the freezer, you must germinate them. Please do not wait for them to thaw or melt before you germinate.
Humidity
Another thing that you have to consider in storing your Cannabis seeds is humidity. Cannabis seeds need a regulated level of moisture for germination. If the humidity is too high, the seeds will rot in your storage. 8-10% humidity level is ideal for long-term storage of your Cannabis seeds. When humidity drops below 8%, insects present in the Cannabis seeds will become active and may start reproducing.
Air
As much as possible, keep your Cannabis seeds exposed to oxygen and carbon dioxide. These gases make growing plants breathe. However, these gases help pests to thrive and may attack your Cannabis seeds. Thus, when you store your Cannabis seeds, you have to make your container as airtight as possible. It would be better if you had some vacuum-sealed plastics.
How to properly store your Cannabis seeds?
There are various options for storing Cannabis seeds, depending on how long you want them to keep. Upon storing them, you must consider their environment concerning lighting, temperature, and humidity level.
Short Term
You have to keep your Cannabis seeds away from natural temperature changes in your environment. The sudden temperature change can destroy the quality of your Cannabis seeds. If you want to store them only in the short term, a dark cupboard or drawer with a stable temperature will do. Also, you may place them in a container with desiccant to keep the space dry. It would be best to separate the desiccant and seeds by putting boundaries using wool or cotton. Then, seat it and put it in a cool and dark place.
Medium Term
If you decide to store them for a medium-term period or a few months, you have to use an airtight container to store your Cannabis seeds. You may use a mason jar or ziplock bag to keep your seeds. Then, keep these sealed containers in the fridge. Also, it would be best to use a refrigerator that you seldom use to avoid opening it from time to time. It prevents significant temperature fluctuation since temperature change can adversely affect your seeds.
Long Term
If you want to keep your Cannabis for at least six months, it is advised to keep them in a vacuum-sealed container. You have to remove all the air inside the ziplock bag before placing it inside a dark container to protect your seeds from your fridge light. Afterward, store it inside the fridge.
The moment you take your Cannabis seeds inside the fridge, you have to germinate them immediately.
What are the best storage options for your Cannabis seeds?
Choosing storage for your Cannabis seeds is crucial to keep their longevity. To be guided, you may consider the following storage for your Cannabis seeds.
Envelopes
A standard mailing or tan coin envelope can serve as your Cannabis seeds storage for a short-term period. All you need to do is store them in a cool, dry, dark, and stable temperature location. Using a thick paper envelope is advisable since it protects your Cannabis seeds from harmful ambient light. You may also consider putting a desiccant pack inside the envelope to regulate the humidity.
However, this storage option is only applicable in a stable home climate. If you are located in a humid area prone to storms or weather changes, using an envelope is no longer feasible.
Glass Jar
A glass jar is one of the best options for long-term storage of your Cannabis seeds since they are airtight. Since plastic will moisten over time, it is best to use glass with rubber stoppers. Putting a desiccant pack inside the glass jar is advisable to keep the humidity level stable.
Mylar Bags
These bags are designed to make your Cannabis seeds viable for an extended period. Vacuum sealing your Cannabis seeds inside Mylar bags can make them viable for up to half a decade. As long you keep them in a place with stable temperature and humidity. It is also the best storage option if you will refrigerate your Cannabis seeds.
Where are the best places to store your Cannabis seeds?
When you have your storage for Cannabis seeds, the next thing you have to attend to is where you will place them. Selecting an ideal location can also help your Cannabis seeds to stay fresh and viable. If you want to keep your Cannabis seeds viable as long as possible, you may consider the following places to store them.
Refrigerator
The best place to store your Cannabis seed is inside a cool, dry, and dark location. A fridge qualifies for these conditions. However, you have to avoid opening it from time to time as it causes temperature change every time you open it. Temperature fluctuation can adversely affect the quality of your Cannabis since the humidity level changes also. Thus, a fridge exclusive to Cannabis seed is advised so that you will rarely open it.
However, if you do not have any spare fridges, you may still place them in a regular fridge together with your groceries and supplies. Just make sure that it is placed at the back of the refrigerator, where they are least affected by changes in temperature every time you open the door. It would be best to have a desiccant in the container of your seeds so that a change in humidity will not affect the viability of your seeds either.
Cool Basement
A cool basement will also work if you do not have a fridge. However, you have to be careful with your Cannabis seeds to avoid exposing them to temperature and humidity changes. When you decide to place them in a basement, consider using insulation to maintain temperature and desiccants for a steady humidity level.
Underground
Though this may sound odd, you can place your weed underground. All you need to do is dig deep enough where changes in air temperature can no longer affect the ground temperature. To keep the humidity level steady, put desiccants inside the storage of your Cannabis seeds before burying them.
How to germinate old Cannabis seeds?
If you find old seeds somewhere in your container or at the bottom of your drawer or cupboard, you can still germinate them. Here are some tips on how to germinate your old Cannabis seeds:
- Soak Seed with Carbonated Water. Before germinating, you have to pre-soak your old seeds in carbonated water enriched with fulvic acid, germination booster, hydrogen peroxide, or gibberellic acid. You have to do it for 12 hours in a dark room.
- Scar the Old Seeds. Before soaking, gently scar your old seeds to help them sprout. Since old seeds have an extra tough shell, it would be best to scratch them with sandpaper smoothly to assist in the moisture and warmth entrance of the old seeds during germination.
- Remove the Seed’s Ridge. Ridge is the slightly elevated side of your Cannabis seeds. When your seeds get old, this part will become extra tough. Thus, removing them gently with a sharp blade can help your seed sprout.
- Slice Open the Seed. Small cutting in the seed’s shell may help your pursuit to germinate old seeds. However, it would be best if you were careful about this to avoid damaging the inside of your Cannabis seeds.
As a farmer, you have to remember that not all old seeds are capable of germination.
How to determine when your Cannabis seeds are no longer viable?
A healthy seed appears pretty dark, a lovely dark shade of green. Also, they are relatively round and smooth. On the other hand, it is no longer viable when your seeds turn pale in color, withered, or even white.
However, if you are unsure about the appearance of your seeds, the easiest way to determine if your Cannabis seeds are still viable is to germinate them. If you germinate them properly, it will not take longer than three days for them to sprout. Nevertheless, if they do not germinate in seven days at the most, they are no longer viable. It would be better to dispose of these seeds.
Also, you can know the viability of your seeds by sinking them into water. If they sink, then your Cannabis seeds are fine. However, if the Cannabis seeds float, it is more likely that they are no longer viable.