long-term storage of TPS

[jonathanb]

Hi Tom,

My order arrived today (Thanks!) I am not going to have room in my garden this year to plant all 1800-3000 TPS included in it. I am wondering if you have any suggestions for long-term storage of TPS beyond the usual "dry" and "cool". How dry are the seeds when you pack/ship them? Would you recommend further drying before freezing? I have, in general, adopted the seed preservation techniques recommended on this webpage

www.seedcontainers.net/a_guide_to_long-term_seed_preservation.html

I use jars with wire bail closures and store the seeds with silica, in the fridge. Just wondering if you have any reservations about this method for TPS.

As always, many thanks for your wisdom!

Jonathan B

[Tom Wagner]

Yes, I remember how many different kinds of TPS you have now.

I store simply. I dry on paper and when fully dry I put them in ziplocks and keep at ambient temperatures. I have never been too sophisticated with seed storage but maybe I will as I grow out my latest groups of seedlings.

The best thing to do on saving seed is to grow out a few of each variety..say 10 plants of each and try to get some to set seed. That new seed will keep quite a while. Even if you only grow out 1/4 of the accessions each year...you should have no problem keeping the diversity alive.

Thanks for ordering so many seeds but try to be more than a seed vault.

Tom

[jonathanb]

Thanks for your reply, Tom. Contrary to my wife's suspicions, I have no intentions of turning my beer fridge into a seed vault. I just wanted to make sure I won't run into problems growing them out on a five year rotation or so. Seed saving is definitely part of the plan. I will report back...

JonathanB