Post by macmex on Nov 14, 2015 6:29:57 GMT -6
Just a reminder, if you are, or have, been saving legume or corn seed this year, be sure to freeze treat your seed. Weevils lay their eggs in undeveloped seed. The damage is minimal and invisible. But often, several months after harvest, the eggs hatch and destroy the seed. This is so even when the seed is sealed in glass jars.
To freeze treat seed simply:
1) Make absolutely sure that it is dry. To freeze improperly dried seed will usually destroy it. At the least it will cause its viability to be greatly compromised.
2) Seal the seed in something air tight. Double bagging in ziplock bags is okay. I prefer to use glass jars with tightened lids.
3) Leave the seed in the freezer at least two days. This insures that it has reached and maintained low enough temperatures to kill the eggs. It's alright to leave the seed in the freezer however long you would like. For practical purposes, it stops aging while frozen.
4) When accessing the seed, be SURE you give it PLENTY of time to warm to room temperature before opening. This is critical as opening the containers before the seed has fully warmed will cause condensation on the seed. I have destroyed an entire year's production of a variety by opening a jar for less than 10 seconds and resealing it, just to “sneak” a few seeds out.
To freeze treat seed simply:
1) Make absolutely sure that it is dry. To freeze improperly dried seed will usually destroy it. At the least it will cause its viability to be greatly compromised.
2) Seal the seed in something air tight. Double bagging in ziplock bags is okay. I prefer to use glass jars with tightened lids.
3) Leave the seed in the freezer at least two days. This insures that it has reached and maintained low enough temperatures to kill the eggs. It's alright to leave the seed in the freezer however long you would like. For practical purposes, it stops aging while frozen.
4) When accessing the seed, be SURE you give it PLENTY of time to warm to room temperature before opening. This is critical as opening the containers before the seed has fully warmed will cause condensation on the seed. I have destroyed an entire year's production of a variety by opening a jar for less than 10 seconds and resealing it, just to “sneak” a few seeds out.