Why Store Seeds in a Vapor Proof Pouch?
February 6th, 2010When storing seeds for many years keep them dry and cool. Suzanne Ashworth's book confirms what we have been doing for many years. "The two greatest enemies of stored seeds are high temperature and high moisture."1 and "Home-saved seeds will retain maximum vigor when thoroughly dried and stored in a moisture-proof container."1 Moisture can pass through plastic, as well as paper. The pouches that I use to store our collections and grains are food bags that are metalized 2.2 poly which provides two layers of protection from moisture and light. These are used to preserve foods and grains. They are FDA and USDA compliant. The dimensions of these bags are 6 x 8 inches. I add a desiccant packet to absorb any moisture in the air in each bag for long term storage. I carefully heat seal each one. These pouches protect from moisture and light and are easy to carry. If you look at whole grains sold in plastic buckets for food storage, you will see the same type of foil bags are used to line the food grade buckets. Never store any food or seeds in plastics which are not approved for use with food such as drainage pipe with caps on the ends. Toxic chemicals used in making them are not safe for food or seeds. For long term seed storage, I have been using vapor-proof pouches or glass jars and the germination rates are superior.
1 Ashworth, Suzanne (2002). Seed to Seed. p. 29