How to Store Flower Seeds? 4 Tips to Easily Extend Their Lifespan

Good storage conditions and scientific processing and storage management methods can extend the lifespan of seeds, improve the sowing quality of seeds, and maintain seed vigor. Conversely, if seed storage work is not done well, at best it leads to a decline in seed viability and vigor, with germination capacity too low to be used as seed, and at worst the entire warehouse of seeds heats up, becomes moldy, and breeds insects, making them unfit for sale and unsuitable as food for humans or livestock, causing significant economic losses. Below, the editor will introduce some storage methods and tips for flower seeds.

1. What are the commonly used storage methods for flower seeds?

1. Dry storage method.

Most flower seeds can be stored using this method. First dry the seeds, remove impurities, and put them into bags sewn from gauze. For example, scarlet sage, cockscomb, and others should not be put into glass bottles or plastic bags, as these are airtight and affect seed respiration. The seed bags can be hung in a cool, ventilated place indoors, maintaining room temperature at 5°C-10°C.

2. Moist storage method.

Flower seeds such as lotus, peach blossom, plum blossom, rose, heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica), and water lily have high safe moisture content and can only maintain their vitality when stored in a high-humidity environment. Placing them in a low-temperature, moist place for moist storage can replace pre-sowing treatment, and they will sprout when sown directly.

There are 3 commonly used moist storage methods:

① Water storage method

Put the seeds in bags and place them in flowing water for storage. The seed storage area must be clean, with no silt or rotting grass. Surround the seeds with wooden stakes to prevent them from being washed away by the water. The seeds of aquatic flowers such as lotus, water lily, and water hyacinth, as well as oak species, are suitable for the water storage method. The water storage method can only be used in places where the river water does not freeze in winter; otherwise, it may cause freezing damage to the seeds.

② Wet sand burial method

Bury the seeds in wet sand for storage. The volume of wet sand should be about 3 times the volume of the seeds. The sand should not be too wet, and the temperature should preferably be controlled at 2°C-3°C. If the temperature is too high, the seeds are prone to sprouting and molding; if too low, the seeds may suffer freezing damage.

The sand storage time varies depending on the flower species. For example, the storage period for rhododendron seeds is 30-40 days, for crabapple seeds it is 50-60 days, for smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) and flowering almond (Prunus triloba) seeds it is 70-90 days, and wintersweet seeds can be stored for more than 100 days.

Seeds of peony and Chinese peony harvested can be placed in low-temperature wet sand at 0°C-5°C. Under natural conditions, these seeds have a dormant period, and after dormancy they undergo after-ripening. Take them out about one month before sowing and sow them in spring. This method is not suitable for small seeds, because they are difficult to pick out from the sand.

For bulbs and corms such as caladium, canna, and dahlia, the underground stems and bulbs should be dug out of the soil promptly before frost, dried for 2-3 days, then placed in a low-temperature, airy, humid indoor area and stored covered with wet sand. However, note that the covering sand should not be too wet to prevent molding; room temperature should be maintained at 5°C-10°C. If too high, they tend to sprout; if too low, they are prone to freezing damage.

③ Pit storage method

In a shady spot with high terrain, dry soil, and loose texture, dig a pit 1-1.5 m deep, with length and width depending on the quantity of seeds. Lay a layer of stones or coarse sand at the bottom of the pit, then pile alternating layers of coarse sand and seeds. The sand moisture should be such that it forms a ball when squeezed by hand but does not release water. When 20 cm from the ground, stop adding seeds and cover with soil instead. To prevent seeds from molding, place a bundle of rice straw or sorghum stalks upright every 1 m to facilitate ventilation and heat dissipation.

2. What tips are there for storing flower seeds?

1. Clean the warehouse and disinfect. Remove garbage, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other items from the warehouse, and lay tar paper or similar material inside as a moisture barrier to reduce ground moisture being absorbed by the seeds. Dilute 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate and spray it, keep doors and windows tightly closed for 48-72 h (hours), then ventilate for 24 h (hours). Do not fumigate the warehouse.

2. Reasonable stacking. There are many varieties of flower seeds with different grades, but generally the quantity of seeds is not large. In the warehouse, place them on racks about 50 cm from the wall and 50 cm above the ground, and make labels indicating their position, quantity, packaging, etc., to prevent mixing.

3. Timely ventilation. Seed respiration generates a large amount of heat, and timely ventilation can lower temperature and dissipate moisture. Generally, the principle is “ventilate on sunny days, close on rainy days, do not ventilate on snowy days; ventilate when it is so cold that dripping water freezes; open early and close late, open less at noon; do not open when there is fog at night”. Natural ventilation is mostly used, and mechanical ventilation can be used where conditions permit.

4. Check frequently. The warehouse should be inspected promptly, and after seeds overwinter or pass through summer, their moisture content and germination rate should be tested. Set up temperature and humidity meters at multiple points in different parts of the warehouse, assign personnel and schedules for measurement, and keep good records. Be sure to maintain a low-temperature, low-humidity environment for flower seed storage to prevent seeds from molding or the germination rate from decreasing.