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For post-harvest handling of seed, you will require some space in a refrigerator and a room which can be kept both draft free and warm to allow your seeds to after-ripen and dry. Some collectors allow seed to dry outside in a shed or sheltered area that allows for ventilation of seed materials.
Equipment list: a draft free room, heater, trays, newspaper or paper towel for moisture absorption, thermometer and hygrometer.
Post-harvest Handling
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Place berries in the refrigerator until they can be processed, if some berries are slightly unripe this time delay will allow the berries to ripen and improve seed processing.
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Lay all other materials, such as grasses, catkins, and capsules out to dry on flat trays lined with newspaper or paper towel. Any seeds with hairs of bristles for wind dispersal should be contained in large paper bags but in thin layers and regularly turned to ensure even drying.
Drying room:
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< 30°C
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< 50% relative humidity
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use a dial hygrometer to determine the humidity of your drying room
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process after dry, keep for <2 weeks in drying room, because heat will reduce seed viability
*If you cannot process your seeds after drying, then store dry materials in a cool place (below 5°C) until processing is possible.
If you are planning to store seeds for long periods (over two years), reducing your seed’s moisture content will ensure seed viability is maintained. To learn the methods for determining seed moisture content, refer to:
Orthodox seed
Berries
Dry fruits, capsules, cones, etc
Any warm space can be used as a drying room. We found space under a warm stairwell to dry our seed and used the back seat of my car in the summer as a kiln to open the spruce cones.
Not all species can have their seed dried.
Determine the species seed storage behaviour at the seed information database (http://data.kew.org/sid/).
In northeastern Canada, oaks (Quercus spp.) and beaked hazel (Corylus cornuta) are sensitive to drying.The majority of seed in northeastern Canada is orthodox, which means the seed can be dried and stored cool (as low as -20°C if dried very well, or in the refrigerator 1 to 5°C) to maintain its longevity.
Learn about your seeds storage behaviour
Red oak acorns require specific conditions for their long term storage
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