How to store cannabis seeds
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Storing cannabis seeds
Since they are living organisms, cannabis seeds must be stored under certain temperature and humidity conditions, otherwise they gradually lose their germination potential, what may cause the germination process to take up to 6-7 days. In worst cases, seeds don't even germinate, when they should have done it within the first 48-72 hours since we started the germination process.
Since marijuana seeds are relatively expensive, we should know how to properly store them so we don't waste money and time for not having our seeds correctly stored before the germination process begins.
Optimal conditions for storing cannabis seeds
Most grow shops and seed suppliers store their seeds in refrigeration chambers, thus creating the perfect environment to maximize the longevity of the seeds.
Temperatures between 4º and 8ºC and humidity levels between 10% and 20% are perfect to keep cannabis seeds in perfect conditions. Seeds should also be kept away from any light source, since it is another factor that can harm our seeds and decrease their germination potential.
Thus, the best way to store our seeds can be an opaque, airtight container containing few silica gel sachets to keep humidity levels low (remember that the ideal humidity should be 10-20%). Put the container in the fridge; normally, people have their refrigerators at 4ºC, so putting the container inside the vegetble shelf is the best option, since temperatures are slightly higher there (as we mentioned, seeds should be kept at 4-8ºC).
Cannabis seeds can be perfectly viable after more than 7-8 years if kept in good conditions, what can be reduced to few years (2-3) in case of not meeting these parameters. We have recently (2015) tested 25 seeds harvested in 2007 with a 24/25 germination ratio. Those seeds were kept as this post explains.
You can read our article about how to germinate cannabis seeds for further information on the germination process.
