Drying the seeds has been one of the oldest methods to properly store and germinate plants. Doing this type of gardening skill allows it to have a longer storage life before you’re going to actually plant it.
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There are also other various benefits to drying a seed before planting. In this article, we’re going to explain all of it to you.
Steps on Drying a Seed
There are different methods of drying seed and it will usually depend on what type of seed it is.
The main point of doing this process is to remove as much moisture that’s inside of the seed by using the air and the sun. Though it’s important to note that the seeds must be mature enough to go through these drying methods.
Below, we’re going to show a few methods on how to dry up a seed.
1. Sun Drying
There are seeds that can be naturally dried through a pod and there are some seeds that are hard to remove when the pod is still wet. A good way to indicate if the seed has already been properly dried is when the pod has a hard and woody texture.
They need to be exposed by the sun as it has more moisture inside it compared to other seeds.
Here we’ll show you a step-by-step process of properly drying a seed through the use of the sun.
Step 1
Avoid placing the pods of the seeds directly into the soil as it may be damaged by microorganisms that are in the soil. These microorganisms can lower the quality of the seed.
Step 2
Find a drying container and place small holes in them so air can pass through the pods to dry the seeds.
Step 3
Dry the seeds during times where the sunlight and heat is mild so that it’s able to survive. Overexposing the seed from too much heat can cause the seed to become dehydrated.
Step 4
Turn the seeds to their other side for at least 5 times a day to equally expose it to the sunlight to help it fully dry.
Step 5
Place your seeds inside your house during the night in order to protect them from harmful elements such as insects and harsh weather.
Step 6
Repeat steps 3 to 5 until the seeds are able to become fully dry then make sure that you’re going to store them properly until you’re going to plant them.
2. Covered and Shaded Drying
One of the methods to dry-up a seed is by slowly removing all of the moisture underneath the shade. Some seeds aren’t fit enough to be fully exposed to the sun to dry as it can cause degradation.
Here we’ll show you how to properly dry these types of seeds without the need of being exposed of sunlight.
Step 1
Separate the seeds that you want to plant, this is in order to prevent cross-pollination which can cause the plants to germinate into a different variety.
Step 2
Before drying the seeds, thoroughly clean them especially the ones that came from very juicy fruits and vegetables. This is in order to prevent the seeds from sticking to each other and also from attracting pests such as birds or insects.
Step 3
Transfer the seeds into a container that’s able to let a good amount of air and heat to enter. If you’re using a closed container then poke a few holes in it in order to give it a bit of ventilation.
Step 4
Spread the seeds around the container in order to properly distribute the amount of air to each and every seed. Don’t try to stack each and every seed to each other they may start to mold and sprout before they get really dry.
Step 5
Turn the seeds to their other side for at least 5 times a day to equally expose it to the sunlight to help it fully dry.
Step 6
Avoid drying the seed with a plastic container as there’s a high chance that it can produce moisture inside. This is dangerous to the drying process as it might cause the seed to produce molds.
Step 7
Make sure to cover the container and place it indoors every night to avoid attracting moisture and pests like rodents and insects.
How to Determine if a Plant is Mature to Save its Seed
- When you hear hollow sound from the fruit, it means the seed inside it will be mature.
- Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are some of the seeds that can easily came out of the fruit. For these kinds of vegetables, all you have to do is to dry them out before saving the seeds.
- Some seeds are not yet mature until their flowers starts to die and the seeds pods dry out.
- When you see that the fruit are easily disconnected from the plant, it mean the seed are already mature. Don’t wait for the fruit to fall as it can be already eaten by insects before they are picked.
Which Seeds Should be Dry before Planting?
Basically almost every type of seed is okay to be dried up before planting. The purpose of drying up a seed is actually to avoid it from damage due to external factors when the seed is exposed outside while it’s growing.
Seeds who have weak outer layers need to be dried in order for its seed protector to harden up, making it difficult to remove. This allows it to become much sturdier compared to normal moist seeds.
It’s also great to avoid the seed from becoming an attraction to several pests such as mouses, insects, and other kinds of pests. Dry seeds also make it difficult for molds to stay and grow into it, which can actually cause damage to the inner seed.
Can I Plant Seeds that are Dehydrated?
This will usually depend if the seeds have been processed such as being exposed to high heat. This can cause the seed to become so dehydrated that the water inside it starts to evaporate, eventually killing its insides.
Should I Plant Seeds that are Frozen?
Placing seeds in proper storage such as a freezer is actually effective due to how it’s able to lengthen its lifespan. Just be sure to properly store the seed when placing it in the freezer.
You can use an airtight container in order to fully seal it while ensuring that the seed is fully dry. This is so you won’t have to face the hassle of your seed germinating slowly or not germinating at all.
Conclusion
It’s important to properly water your plans when you’re planning on germinating them.
Drying seeds are effective when planting though, though it’s already expected that plants need to be properly taken care of in order for it to actually grow.
