keeping seed

[James]

I have heard that some alpine seeds don't store very well is this true? If so what ones will store for at least a year?Do they need special treatment to make them keep?

[WimB]

James,

there are quite some seeds which are ephemeral (short-lived). Most of those should be sown immediately or stored cool and humid (in a plastic ziplock bag in slightly damp sphagnum or vermiculite in the fridge). As a rule of thumb you can say that most seeds of plants from the family of the Ranunculaceae (Ranunculus, Hepatica, Pulsatilla, Anemone...) are ephemeral, also Jeffersonia, Trillium, Epimedium and some others are short lived.

For most alpines, dry storage at room temperature is adequate.

[James]

thanks! Iwill try ur suggestions!

[Chuck]

My suggestion is refrigerate. Most alpine things can last at least one year under refrigeration.

[Gene Mirro]

I store thousands of species in the freezer at 0 degrees F.  Some seeds will last 30 years or more in the freezer.  Even tiny seeds like Ramonda have germinated after 15 years.  You just have to make sure that the seed is dry before you freeze it.

If you store seeds at room temperature (20C), most will be dead in 3 or 4 years.