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Ohio

I have had my seeds in a cool dry place with the fan on them for a couple days, they look dry but i know there not completly dry inside. I want to put this in my food Dehydrator now and the lowest setting is 90 degrees. How long would you put these seeds in the dehydrator now since the have been sitting out drying for a couple days. How will i know they are completly dry and ready?
Brooks

9/2/2004 12:32:35 PM

Indiana

I would keep them in the dehydrator for a day or so. That will get enough moisture out to let them sit for a few weeks and then be dry. I like to get the seed coats dry as fast as possible so they dont get spots.

Tom

9/2/2004 2:01:38 PM

Ohio

Tom, after I let them sit in the dehydrator for a day or so, i still leave them sit out for a couple weeks after that then?, do i keep a fan on them still? I thought the dehydrator would take care of all that sitting them out and stuff. Tom I know what u mean about spots, I have like 20 seeds that have dark brown spots where the root comes out of the seed, I opened a few seeds up that had spots and none even touched the seed inside.

THANKS Tom
Brooks

9/2/2004 3:12:56 PM

Puyallup, WA

Spots on the exterior are usually mold. If left unchecked, they can penetrate the shell and ruin the seed. Dry the seed as quickly as possible, to limit the growth of the mold. Some folk will even rinse the seed in a weak bleach solution to kill the mold prior to drying. It is important to keep the seeds dry.

9/2/2004 4:22:42 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

"I have had my seeds in a cool dry place".....

I wouldn't do that, place them in a WARM dry place if possible with a fan for several days or just put them in the dehydrator as soon as they are washed off, cleaned, etc.

I think the cool temps are to blame for the mold...

9/2/2004 5:22:17 PM

C N Y

okay, i'm on the scene about the food dehydrator.
i always recommend it every time i see a post about how
do i dry the seeds. if you have a food dehydrator, GOOD!!!

if you have to use more than one tray for the seeds you have, make sure you use a piece of window screen in the bottom of the tray to keep one cross from accidentally
mixing-in with any others. i specify window screen because
the air can flow freely through it.

put the seeds in there, let it run for 3-4 days, minimum and maximum, respectively. i feel 3 is the least and 4 is enough, just to be sure!

i have dried seeds the "spread-out-on-the-table-and-have-a-
fan-blowing-on-them" way also, and i think the same amount of electricity gets used in the process.
BUT!!! the dehydrator gets it done in just a few days,
and you can almost immediately get them sent-out to other growers. yay!
so, once the 3.5 days is up, i put them into a paper
lunch bag, yes, you know the kind, and i used to put these into gallon jars with good-fitting screw-on lids, with a desiccant packet, a huge one, in each jar.

the other container of choice is a quart Mason jar, with the screw-on lid and the circular lid that does the sealing.

label 'em and put 'em to use!

i just prefer to keep my seeds as dry as is reasonably possible, and these things enable me to do so.
even if there were a flood, i would be a little less worried than some. i hope these items help you. 'pal2

9/2/2004 5:28:44 PM

Ohio

Thanks for the info, its been helpful
Brooks

9/3/2004 1:19:46 AM