Todd wrote:
On 05/28/2014 05:44 PM, David Hare-Scott wrote:
Todd wrote:

Hi Moe,

Not to ask too basic a question, but do seeds need to "breath"?
(Do they need a source of air?)


Until they start to germinate the amount of oxygen they need is
miniscule, for practical purposes zero, so they will be quite happy
in a sealed container for a long time. I imagine this is dependent
on temperature to some degree. Note that if you do want them to
germinate properly they do need air as their metabolism starts up
and they converts stored starches and oils into new plant tissue,
inhaling oxygen and exhaling CO2.

And, do you have to be careful not the "Freeze" them (water
in the seed crystallizing)?


Apparently freezing is OK. The seed vault at Svalbard is kept at
-18C (about 0 F) with seeds in sealed packets. I wouldn't be
repeatedly freezing and thawing them however, as might happen in an
outbuilding in a cold climate. For most purposes cool dry
conditions will suffice. The more important part is the dry.


D

Hi David,

Great explanation! Thank you!

I know my Hollyhock seeds need sunlight to germinate too,
so keep seeds dark too, I presume.

-T

I have never found any consistent rule about which seeds germinate best in
light or in dark.

D