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Ohio

I hate to even have to post about this and Im sick to my stomack at this very second thinking about what i just did 15 Minutes ago.

I keep all the seeds Im growing for this year in the original little seed packets. All the seeds Im growing for this season I put together in a small type wax paper type bubble envelope. So today I dumped all the seeds out of the little bubble envolope and started poking holes into it because I didnt want to take a chance my seeds might sweat.

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, After I got done poking the holes I go to put my #1 seeds back into the bubble and Notice my 1097 Beachy was still in there!!!!! I look at the seed and see that I poked a small hole right dead center of the seed! IM SICK!!!

So now the question is this, whats the chances for it? will it still germinate? The hole went dead center through both the cot parts of the seed. The root part of the seed is fine.

I dont know what eles to say,, Im just sick to my stomack,I cant believe I just did that,my 5 months of excited planning for that seed are washed away.

2/1/2005 9:06:00 AM

Knopp, Germany

not so fast Brooks, all may not be lost. as important as the area is where the cots are formed, they are not the most important part. you said that the area where the rot comes from was not damaged, that is a good sign. what did you puncture it with, ie how big is the hole?

2/1/2005 9:10:15 AM

Nova Scotia

don't worry she'll grow. with the hole it may even sprout sooner though there'll be deformity most likely to your starter leaves.

2/1/2005 9:10:40 AM

Western NY

shouldn't hurt too bad. your leaves will just have pierced ears.

2/1/2005 9:15:19 AM

maybe a seed rat chewed the holes in it.

2/1/2005 9:43:54 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I hear they are common in Ohio Brigitte. Good thing it is to cold in Wisconsin for them.

2/1/2005 9:46:19 AM

[email protected]

It must be winter.

2/1/2005 10:25:55 AM

Puyallup, WA

...and here I thought that I had made every mistake possible!

2/1/2005 10:43:47 AM

Ohio

I did it with a tac, I was poking holes in the bubble, Its dead center of the seed, its not a big hole. It will be interesting how this germinates if it does, Ill post a picture of it.

2/1/2005 10:49:40 AM

Ohio

Wait, no i wont ether, that wouldnt be a good idea .

2/1/2005 10:53:38 AM

Somers, CT

Next thing you know it will want to put a stud through it and hang out at the mall.

2/1/2005 11:01:07 AM

Waquoit Mass

anyone know a good seed surgeon ?

2/1/2005 11:37:07 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

I'm wondering if the inside of the seed will dry out too much between now, and planting time. The hole is also a place where microorganisns can enter, and do damage.

Doug

2/1/2005 12:01:21 PM

Woodburn, Indiana

seeds sweat?

2/1/2005 12:01:58 PM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

when I read the subject line of this post, I thought you got married. jeeeeezz, this is bad!

2/1/2005 12:06:59 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

May be you just invented a new advanced seed starting method?

Who knows, maybe some day all growers will start poking holes through their seeds.

I probably would not soak the seed with the hole in it for very long. lol

2/1/2005 12:23:59 PM

Claysburg , PA

Brooks, send it to me and I`ll try it out for you.

2/1/2005 12:43:30 PM

Garden

Might want to heat that tack up and cauterize the hole...nah.

I would think that its chances of germination will diminish as time goes on, so I would want to plant it asap.
Then again, what do I know. Thats just what I would think.

I'll give you 5 bucks for it :)

2/1/2005 12:47:52 PM

berkshire M.A.

Just rub a little wax over the hole to seal it up .Don't use hot wax.Like Andy's post " Your leaves will just have pierced ears."
Bill

2/1/2005 1:12:23 PM

Ohio

Dayum,, you guys are killing me!,nothing like pushing a tack in someone when they have one in them already,,,,,,,,,,,,........Baa Haaaa!!

2/1/2005 1:20:59 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Maybe you should test germinate it?

(Then poking a hole in it would not be the most dumbest thing you've ever done..) Ha Ha

Yeah, I'd go for the seal it with wax or a piece of tape over the holes then wait until spring and pray. Good luck.

2/1/2005 1:32:17 PM

Itzetown City

A new method to labeling the seed? LOL

2/1/2005 1:45:23 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

that wax idea sounds great

2/1/2005 2:17:42 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Test germinate it...LMAO @ Jab

OK Brooks, no more beer when your playing with your seeds :)

2/1/2005 3:25:16 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Yeah, no more beer you might get hungry while your wasted. You could accidentally roast and eat your seeds. You should ether send me your seeds or your beer so that don't happen. Tee he he

Never eaten AG seeds but the snack jacks are yummy!

2/1/2005 3:45:35 PM

Utah

test germinate .... a several different non important seeds with the same or more or bigger holes punched in them ... ?

2/1/2005 3:48:15 PM

Utah

cover some of the holes with wax ... leave other open...

2/1/2005 3:48:35 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I'm now wondering if the wax would get in the hole, and keep the cots together, when trying to germinate.
Maybe you could put a very piece of plastic over each hole; enough to cover them, and put wax over this, making sure all edges of the plastic are covered.
Good luck Brooks! That could be the seed that produces the first 1500 lber. No woriies;-)

2/1/2005 4:06:35 PM

wilmington,ma.

You may have the only donut shaped pumpkin in the world.

2/1/2005 5:18:24 PM

Belgium Europe

Good one , ahab !

2/1/2005 5:26:24 PM

[email protected]

Was it the ugly 1097? You hated that seed. I think you picked it on purpose.

2/1/2005 6:59:15 PM

Follansbee, Wv

ahab, your killing me! LMAO doughnut shaped pumpkin...I'll bet it goes light to the charts! Sorry Brooks, you know you're my bud.

All kidding aside, I think it will germinate. Cover the holes with tape. The cots will definately be deformed so you may want to watch the seed coat to make sure it comes off properly. After that, I doubt you will notice any difference. I don't think I would soak the seed though, and a dusting of captan probably wouldn't hurt.

2/1/2005 7:24:23 PM

Sequim, WA

If that's the dumbest thing you've ever done Brooks, I'll eat my 1097 seed. I'm betting it's just the dumbest thing you'll admit to. ;o)

2/1/2005 8:17:03 PM

Deer Park WA

Brook's, I think you should give up on now on your perferated 1097 and trade it to me so you wont feel so bad about your mistake when it fails to germinate! We have a "Hole" bunch of good holeless seeds to offer! LOL

2/1/2005 8:27:10 PM

minnesota

Try poking a hole in a few of your "less desireable" seeds ,and do an early germination test with them to see how things turn out. This would eliminate a great deal of angst between now and spring. Putting a piece of scotch tape over the hole in the punctured seed should be enough protection for it until spring.

2/1/2005 8:53:07 PM

C N Y

thank you, small patch!
now yer talkin'! just leave the seed alone
(lightning strike twice???) oh oh...oh no!
yeah, just keep the 1097.5 in its manila seed envelope.
it will accomplish nothing to mess with it even more.
and, like the small patch idea, best one yet, do exactly the same thing to another few, far-less important seeds
and see how they sprout. oh, yeah, you have not done the
"dumbest" thing ever. i have. something involving high voltage.....i almost have feeling back in it, lol!.....

Doug14>>>>>>the drier the seeds are the better, down to like 8 percent humidity...fyi.....eric

2/2/2005 12:07:59 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Brooks, I'd use a small piece of duc tape over the hole. And if it doesn't come up you have a second chance....
Wasn't that the one that you said would proably not germinate anyways?

2/2/2005 3:01:31 AM

Ohio

Im just leaving it alone, Im test germinating two other seeds with holes init.

I wasnt even drinking any beer when it happend,I didnt have a hang over nothing.

Martin, that was the seed i just recieved!,Now I have two bad seeds I have to worrie about germination,

But life is good still, I have one more 1097 on the way!

#1 1097 seed -crappy looking,(might not germinate)
#2 1097 seed - has HOLE in it.
#3 1097 seed - havnt seen it yet but will probably be the only seed that will grow.(IF I DONT TOUCH IT!)

2/2/2005 8:08:19 AM

Ohio

Ok, Let me try to explain this a little better,

I put all my best seeds Im going to grow for next year in a special envelope all together.(the outer layer of the envelope material almost looks like wax paper)And of course all the seeds are still in their original coin envelopes.

I then get this bright idea that since I have recieved seeds before in the plastic type coin envelopes with holes in it that it wouldnt be a bad idea to put holes in my wax type envelope also.

I then dump all my #1 seeds out,the 1260 Weir,all my Wallace seeds,all my Hester seeds,the Bad looking 1097,1446 Eaton,,914 Wentzell and all my back up seeds.

Well,,, the good 1097 was stuck in the corner and I didnt see it in there and ,,,,,,,BINGO,,,1097 now has hole init.

Does anyone eles put holes in a plastic type coin envelope when they recieve seeds from another growers like I do, or is it best to just take them out of the plastic and put them into a paper coin envelope so they can breath a little?LOL

Go ahead and keep hammering away. LOL

2/2/2005 8:42:00 AM

Ohio

ohh one more thing,,,,, IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE!,lol

2/2/2005 8:43:35 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I am trying to figure out why you want the envelopes or baggies to breath. When I dry my seeds I dry them in front of the dehumidifier. Then after 10 days, I place them in a large ziploc bag with a large desiccant pack. Then when exchanges are done. I pull a few seeds out and seal them in the little plastic baggies. If the little baggie stays sealed no moisture will get into this seed. When you poke holes in the baggies you are comprimising the seal and inviting moisture in.

2/2/2005 9:10:46 AM

ENGLAND

I was informed some years ago, by a seed archive specialist, not to keep Seeds stored in air/moisture tight plastic bags unless they are to be kept at a very accurately monitored and very stable temperature. Due to the nature of our Hobby/Sport there are times when we will take our Seeds Storage containers out from any possible set/controlled temperature to maybe add or remove a Seed or Seeds. Just by doing this, condensation will form and remain in any individual sealed plastic bags that the Seed/s are stored in. No dessicant pack on earth will remove any moisture or prevent each Sealed plastic seed pack from forming condensation due to temperature changes.

Standard, Paper, Coin Envelope type Seed packs can breath and no moisture will be created by temperature changes. Any moisture absorbed by the paper type of Seed Pack will be absorbed by the dessicant Pack.

Just My 12 Pence Worth
Mike

2/2/2005 9:36:33 AM

Ohio

I agree with Mike 100%. That is why I put holes in plastic seed envelopes and dont keep my seeds in the freezer.

2/2/2005 9:55:26 AM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Brooks:
Actually, I have gone out of my way to remove seeds from the bulky bubble packs I received them in and put them (still in the coin envelopes) in pint-sized Ziplock bags with the air squeezed out. Some are in the freezer, inside a sealed plastic container. Others are not in the freezer, due to space limitations. (My wife will only allow me to take up so much of the freezer with pumpkin seeds, you know!) I don't see sealed plastic bags as a problem, though I haven't been doing it for more than a couple of years to test germination after long term storage. But, I must say, I prefer the risk of humidity in my Ziplocks to perforating my top seeds! :)
The only problem I see with my approach is if the seeds were not fully dried before I Ziplock 'em, then I expect I am hastening their demise by trapping moisture and creating an environment favorable to fungus growth. But then again I've seen one coin envelope of seeds (with plenty of opportunity to 'breathe') at room temp go bad, too. I suspect they were not dried properly from the get go. If anyone KNOWS for sure that this "Ziplock" method is bad, would you please let me know?....
Frank

2/2/2005 11:48:23 AM

Cologne / Germany

Mike is right. No storage in plastic stuff at all, just for germination or in the deep freeze. Plastic bags are likely to attract humidity in the fridge, paper stuff won´t. Use a cigar box and a few dessicant packs and keep the seeds in these small paper envelopes we usually send. Also pretty useful to identify content and sender a few years later :)

2/2/2005 12:01:52 PM

NE Patriots country

Hey Brooks, why don't you have that 1097 GOLD PLATED and wear it around your neck now that it has a convenient hole to put a chain through? Doooooh!

2/2/2005 12:38:45 PM

[email protected]

Hey Brooks, How's about a game of 723 darts at Niagara? Bill might like a break from Poker.

2/2/2005 1:09:25 PM

[email protected]

Or maybe a game of "pin the 1097 on the grower"?

2/2/2005 1:10:03 PM

Indiana

LOL people loving their seeds to death! just put them in a jar and put them in the freezer trust me it works.

2/2/2005 2:07:55 PM

doesn't a ziploc bag under my bed constitute a monitored and stable temperature environment?

2/2/2005 2:30:45 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Proper Seed Storage
As a general rule, humidity levels within the storage environment should be maintained in the range of 25-35%. The average home during northern-tier winters is exceptionally dry—often dipping into the low teens. Low humidity draws moisture from delicate seed structures and exerts a negative impact on vigor and germination rate. Drying seeds to zero moisture will, of course, destroy them. The rule: once seeds have dried (cured) to the correct moisture level (by weight), unless you have the kind of precisely-controlled storage conditions employed by seed companies like Johnny's Selected Seeds in Albion, Maine, store yours in sealed, air-tight containers like glass jars or doubled Ziploc bags. In the highly variable home or small farm environment, paper envelopes, cloth bags, or cardboard boxes allow for exchange of far too much (or too little) moisture for long-term storage.

2/2/2005 3:11:58 PM

wilmington,ma.

Yes Brigitte as long as the bed don't break. He HE

2/2/2005 3:25:41 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

how should that happen? :-)

2/2/2005 3:34:51 PM

Itzetown City

Martin, do you really want to know that?

2/2/2005 4:05:47 PM

Ohio

This has got to be the longest thread I have ever seen!,LMAO!

2/2/2005 11:11:30 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Man, I feel sorry for you..... Not! 3 1097 compared to my Zero... Whaaa Whaaaa Whaaaa

Hey, I have an idea if you germinate all three maybe I can have a plant?

2/3/2005 12:56:18 AM

C N Y

oh, goody! someone else believes in sealed glass jars!
i don't feel quite so alone now! i do not put other growers' seeds into paper envelopes if they are already in plastic ones, but i'm sure i would like to.
i have never seen any of my seeds in gallon jars with
desiccant packets, big ones, exhibit any mold or rot or
anything bad. gallon jars are free from your local delicatessen. worth every penny. big desi-packets?
from a local copier machine distributor. same there------eric

2/3/2005 1:03:22 AM

Ohio

JAB, Sure thing you can have whats left over, do you want me to freeze the pruned tendrils or just put them in water when i send them?

2/3/2005 4:58:24 AM