[CH] Silica Gel
Dave Anderson (Chilehead@tough-love.com)
Tue, 28 Sep 1999 12:14:46 -0700
One of my suppliers (Ball Seed) began sending a packet of silica
gel with orders last year. Their recommendation was to store
opened seed packets in a sealed jar or zip-lock plastic bag. This
sounded like a really good idea so I did some research.
I spoke with two manufacturers who both told me that the ideal
size for a silica gel packet is 2 grams for a quart or liter jar.
REMEMBER, this is to keep seeds dry, not to dry seeds!
I have begun to send a two gram packet with each seed order of
$20.00 or more and will be offering the packets for sale as soon as
I get a chance to work on my web site. Two grams of silica gel will
maintain a relative humidity of 40% at 70F which is pretty close to
ideal.
When I toured the N-K Seed facility in Chattanooga Tennessee
earlier this year, they took me into their seed vault where the store
a couple of million dollars worth of seeds. Temperature was 65F
and relative humidity was 60%. When they are in their busy
season which will be slowing down about now, they package
800,000 packets per day.
Dave Anderson
Tough Love Chile Co.
http://www.Tough-Love.com
Chilehead@Tough-Love.com