How to pack seeds

[rainmax]

I would like to show you very easy and efficient way to store your seeds. It is simple method of making your own envelopes using Origami technic.
You can send them to your friends and is also very simple way how to handle your seeds when sieving.
I read that some sort of seeds wont germinate if you store them in plastic envelopes or zip lock bags which is common practice here in tobacco forum. I believe that you can store seeds in plastic zip log bags but it is better if you wrap them in paper first; specially acid free paper which is good for long term storing.

I use classic block paper which has few hundreds of square papers. Each paper is one envelope. On internet I copy this picture for better idea:



I also make simple movie to show you how easy is to make one envelope. How to pack the seeds. How to open envelope. How to sow directly from envelope. You can even count them this way.
I found that plastic zip locks are difficult to handle. Also static electricity complicate situation many time(jumping seeds).


[video=vimeo;83437313]http://vimeo.com/83437313[/video]


Movie is a bit too long. Sorry for that and also there is no music behind cause I don't want to violate copyright laws.
If envelopes works for you I'm glad. I like it that way. If this papers are to small for you, make it bigger. All the best...

 

[Knucklehead]

Very cool! I tried to give you some rep. but I have to spread it around first.

 

[Markw]

Very good Maks thanks for posting it.Very cleaver and simple method, So if you get seed from me please remember how to open your little seed envelope.

 

[istanbulin]

Very practical and cheaper. Thanks Maks !

 

[leverhead]

Very good, I like it!

 

[springheal]

Great idea and great demo. Thank you.

 

[DGBAMA]

Very nice Macs. I have been making those paper cups for years. Never thought of it for seed.

I do worry about it for shipping though. The "cup" would be the thickest part of the envelope in shipping and have the most pressure put on it by the autosorting machines of the mailing process. Could result in alot of crushed seed in the mailing process.

 

[chillardbee]

I'm glad I watched the video all the way through because I thought to myself 'Seed could escape from the corners" then I had the idea that if you made the envelope bigger, you could put seeds that are in a little baggy in there, But then at the end the envelope was put into the baggy and I said 'genius'. Good vid, thanks for sharing.

 

[rainmax]

I do worry about it for shipping though. The "cup" would be the thickest part of the envelope in shipping and have the most pressure put on it by the autosorting machines of the mailing process. Could result in alot of crushed seed in the mailing process.

Don't worry. But if you are, put also additional bubbles in ziplock. I always close ziplock with a little air in it. And sometimes I glue it with scotch tape on opposite side away from stamp.

I thought to myself 'Seed could escape from the corners" then I had the idea that if you made the envelope bigger, you could put seeds that are in a little baggy in there, But then at the end the envelope was put into the baggy and I said 'genius'. Good vid, thanks for sharing.

If you are accurate in the manufacture of envelopes there's no way to lose a single seed. Trust me on that.
Less chance to loose the seed this way than in plastic bag. Make one envelope, close it with seeds and try to shake it so long that one seed falls out. No way. Made in Japan.

 

[madhouse]

Very nice Maks, i must admit when i got my seeds i was thinking i have never seen anyone package them like this before but it is a very nice way of doing it.

Bill

 

[Jack in NB]

Great Idea. And timely - I just tried to source some of the 1 1/2 by 3 brown paper ones, and couldn't find anything smaller than 500 packs - for $50....

Thanks, Max!

I modified the design a bit to make rectangular envelopes rather than trapezoids - making the second and third folds about 1/3 of the width and the bottom of the fold matching the original fold line. The folds have to be sealed together with tape.

 

[Charly]

I read that some sort of seeds wont germinate if you store them in plastic envelopes or zip lock bags which is common practice here in tobacco forum. I believe that you can store seeds in plastic zip log bags but it is better if you wrap them in paper first; specially acid free paper which is good for long term storing.

Thank you Maks for sharing your technique ! The video is really clear, easy to understand !

You say that seeds stored in plastic zip lock bags won't germinate, is this the case for tobacco seeds ? Should I put my seeds in another container ?
I will need to find acid free paper...

 

[rainmax]

No.

That is not specific for tobacco seeds. I have a lot of seeds still in plastic and many here in forum store their seeds in plastic bags. They still germinate...
Few years ago i received seeds from Russia. Pinus Sibirica. I was told specifically not to store this seeds in plastic cause they loose viability to germinate. So, I believe that acid free paper is best solution for long term storing any seeds.