Rules for storing seeds to extend germination

Everyone wants the unclaimed seed in the current season to successfully lie down until next year or not deteriorate for several years.

Shelf life of seeds In order to maintain germination at the level of 75-80%, summer residents with experience recommend carefully studying the shelf life of seeds before buying. Do not collect products for the future if you do not meet the allotted time. All seeds can be stored much longer under certain conditions.

Rules for storing seeds to extend germination

Poor storage conditions can negatively affect the germination of any seed. One of the critical factors in reducing shelf life is high humidity in the room. It should not exceed 55-60%. The combination of low humidity and moderate temperatures extends the shelf life of vegetable and flower crops. If you do not create comfortable conditions for the seed, it will begin to germinate very quickly. The optimum temperature for keeping seeds at home, summer cottages is from +10 to +13 degrees Celsius.

Important! Pea and potato seeds are stored at +3 - +5 degrees Celsius and relative humidity up to 85%. This is kind of an exception to the rule. For garlic, the temperature can reach +19 degrees. calmly stored at +5 - +10 degrees. So each vegetable has its own nuances.

How to store seeds

To store seeds correctly and for a long time, choose small textile or paper bags. They serve as an ideal container for the content of seed. A great option is foil or plastic bags with a zip lock. Here are a few more rules that will come in handy for maintaining high germination of crops:

seeds can be stored on the loggia, but only at temperatures above +5 degrees. The main thing is not to miss a sharp cold snap, which will drastically reduce the shelf life of sowing products;

periodically inspect the products - rotting, debate, drying out are alarming signals;

it is better to clean the seeds in a place protected from the invasion of rodents. Small pests can quickly ruin valuable material;

you can collect seeds only in dry weather, if you yourself "extract" them, and do not buy them in a store;

silica gel can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the package with planting material to forcefully reduce humidity. It is an effective sorbent. It absorbs a lot of excess moisture from the air;

you should not keep seeds in the cellar, refrigerator, in the kitchen - they should not be subjected to sharp temperature fluctuations;

ordinary matchboxes are also suitable for small floral material;

direct sunlight is detrimental to material prepared for planting. Therefore, keep it in a dark place or in opaque containers, wrap it in matter;

if you organize the storage of seeds before planting in a residential area (for example, in an apartment), do not place them in close proximity to heating appliances. It is better to keep the seed closer to the floor - in the lower drawers of cabinets, under the bed.

Note! Seeds harvested in a dry summer can be stored longer than those harvested in a cool season.

Shelf life of vegetable seeds

Gardeners know that only the vegetable that was stored in accordance with all the rules will grow well. But the deadline must also be met.