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Seed dryer

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Ernie Willson

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Jul 4, 2009, 1:24:10 PM7/4/09
to
I'm looking for plans for a homebuilt seed dryer to dry the seeds from
my garden. It could be either solar or electric powered. If anyone can
direct me to an appropriate site etc. I'd be appreciative.

Also if someone could send me the URL for vendors/manufacturers of home
garden type seed dryers I'd appreciate that.

TIA,
EJ in NJ

Message has been deleted

Bill who putters

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Jul 4, 2009, 3:33:51 PM7/4/09
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In article <6lav455sdupp67nr4...@4ax.com>, Charlie wrote:

> Silica Gel
>
> Charlie

As usual Right On.

<http://forums.seedsavers.org/showthread.php?t=508>

Bill

--
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA

http://www.youtube.com/usnationalarchives

FarmI

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Jul 5, 2009, 2:42:42 AM7/5/09
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"Ernie Willson" <ewil...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:4a4f8ff0$0$3540$9a6e...@news.newshosting.com...

What sort of seeds are you wanting to dry?

I just leave seeds on my kitchen bench on a piece of paper towle or even
just in a small glass bowl to dry before I store them.


Ernie Willson

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Jul 5, 2009, 7:34:18 AM7/5/09
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FarmI wrote:
> "Ernie Willson" <ewil...@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:4a4f8ff0$0$3540$9a6e...@news.newshosting.com...
>> I'm looking for plans for a homebuilt seed dryer to dry the seeds from my
>> garden.
>

> What sort of seeds are you wanting to dry?
>
> I just leave seeds on my kitchen bench on a piece of paper towle or even
> just in a small glass bowl to dry before I store them.

Mostly I am drying flower seedheads and vegetable seeds. Flowers include
Coreopsis, Asters, Shasta Daisy, Heliopsis, Marigold, Zinnia and
Gallardia. Vegetables include Tomato, Summer Squash, Peas, Radish,
Eggplant and Peppers.

FarmI

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Jul 5, 2009, 8:51:26 PM7/5/09
to

Unless you live in an extremely humid area, why do you need a seed drier?

As I mentioned, my kitchen bench works fine for drying the seeds I keep or
indeed, the plant itself where I leave a lot of seed heads to mature because
I figure nature knows best how to do it and why should I interfere given
that I can just harvest the seeds when dried.

I mention humidity because that can certainly spoil some seeds but in most
circumstances, anywhere that you can survive, your seeds will too until you
are ready to store them.

I save my tomato seeds by fermenting them for a few days in an old jar with
some water, then run them under running water and then dump them out onto a
piece of kitchen paper towel adn then leave them on the bench till the paper
towel and the seeds are dry. I then just roll up the paper towel and store
the whoel thing till time to plant when I just either peel the seeds off the
paer towle or tear the towel into tiny bits and plant the seed on the towel.

Since I've never had any problems with seeds drying on the kitchen bench and
especially the tomatoes which are sodden when I lay them out to dry, I'm
wondering why you'd go to the expense of buying a seed drier?


Message has been deleted

Ed

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Jul 6, 2009, 4:19:33 AM7/6/09
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On 04/07/09 20:17, Charlie wrote:
> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:24:10 -0400, Ernie Willson
> <ewil...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Silica Gel
>
> Charlie


Or on a few layers of paper kitchen towel over a layer of washing powder.

Ed

Ernie Willson

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Jul 6, 2009, 11:03:48 AM7/6/09
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FarmI wrote:
> "Ernie Willson" <ewil...@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> FarmI wrote:
>>> "Ernie Willson" <ewil...@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>> news:4a4f8ff0$0$3540$9a6e...@news.newshosting.com...
>>>> I'm looking for plans for a homebuilt seed dryer to dry the seeds from
>>>> my garden.
>>> What sort of seeds are you wanting to dry?
>>>
>>> I just leave seeds on my kitchen bench on a piece of paper towle or even

>>> just in a small glass bowl to dry before I store them.etc...


>> I'm
> wondering why you'd go to the expense of buying a seed drier?
>
>

I'm sure that what you are proposing will work, but I'd like to dry the
seeds faster than I believe it can be done on my Kitchen counter etc.

Thanks

EJ in NJ

Ernie Willson

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Jul 6, 2009, 11:06:38 AM7/6/09
to

I understand the reference to silica gel, and it looks attractive.I do
not know what washing powder is. Is it baking soda?

Thanks,
EJ in NJ

Ernie Willson

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Jul 6, 2009, 11:08:10 AM7/6/09
to

Charlie wrote:
> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:24:10 -0400, Ernie Willson
> <ewil...@comcast.net> wrote:
>

> I should have further explained...
>
> Weigh an amount of silica gel equal to the weight of your seeds or
> whatever you are drying etc...

> Storing seeds prepared this way, and then stored in the freezer will
> maintain them for a long long time. I have seeds that have been in
> the freezer for ten years that I planted this year and germ was as
> good as new.
>
> Charlie

Charlie,

Thanks for the great explanation.

EJ in NJ

FarmI

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Jul 6, 2009, 11:23:35 PM7/6/09
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<Charlie> wrote in message

> Suzanne Ashworth is the definitive voice with regards to seed saving
> and methods of seed propagation. "Seed to Seed" is the Holy Writ.

"Each to their own", said the old woman as she kissed the cow.

I find that book irritating and always reach for "The Seedsavers Handbook"
by Jude Fanton (sp?) in preference. "Seed to Seed" is for me, like Eliot
Coleman.


Nomadic Mom

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Jul 7, 2009, 1:08:23 PM7/7/09
to
On Jul 5, 11:01 pm, Charlie wrote:
> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:24:10 -0400, Ernie Willson
>
> I should have further explained...
>
> Weigh an amount of silica gel equal to the weight of your seeds or
> whatever you are drying and place one or the other in something to
> keep them separate and place all in an airtight container....ziploc or
> whatever...for *seven* days.
>
> Remove and store in airtight container.
>
> Silica gel can be rejuvenated and used forever.

>
> Suzanne Ashworth is the definitive voice with regards to seed saving
> and methods of seed propagation.  "Seed to Seed" is the Holy Writ.
>
> You can also follow the advice of others and get good results, but if
> you want seeds prepared for long term storage and that will maintain
> their viabilty and high rates of germination, this method is primo.

>
> Storing seeds prepared this way, and then stored in the freezer will
> maintain them for a long long time.  I have seeds that have been in
> the freezer for ten years that I planted this year and germ was as
> good as new.
>
> Charlie

I use Silica Gel to dry flowers and herbs from the garden. I get mine
from www.silicagelpackets.com, they have Silica Gel that is packaged
in Tyvek which meets the FDA's requirements for being packaged with
food. Works like a charm every time and much faster than air drying.

Ernie Willson

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Jul 7, 2009, 3:34:49 PM7/7/09
to

I use "Saving Seeds" by Marc Rogers. It seems OK to me.
EJ in NJ

Ernie Willson

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Jul 7, 2009, 3:40:08 PM7/7/09
to Nomadic Mom

Nomadic Mom wrote:
> On Jul 5, 11:01 pm, Charlie wrote:
>> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:24:10 -0400, Ernie Willson
>>
>> <ewill...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>> I'm looking for plans for a homebuilt seed dryer to dry the seeds from

>>> my garden. etc


>> Charlie
>
> I use Silica Gel to dry flowers and herbs from the garden. I get mine
> from www.silicagelpackets.com, they have Silica Gel that is packaged
> in Tyvek which meets the FDA's requirements for being packaged with
> food. Works like a charm every time and much faster than air drying.

Thanks for the lead. Looks like good stuff.
EJ in NJ

Part_No

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Jul 9, 2009, 10:41:00 AM7/9/09
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Ernie Willson <ewil...@comcast.net> wrote in news:4a4f8ff0$0$3540
$9a6e...@news.newshosting.com:

93,000,000,000 miles away is the thing you are looking for :-}

Billy

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Jul 9, 2009, 12:47:09 PM7/9/09
to
In article <Xns9C439F5F8...@69.16.176.253>,
"Part_No" <a...@all.com> wrote:

http://www.i4at.org/surv/soldehyd.htm
--

- Billy

There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who
learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and
find out for themselves.
Will Rogers

http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm
http://www.tomdispatch.com/p/zinn

Ernie Willson

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Jul 9, 2009, 4:23:41 PM7/9/09
to

Billy wrote:
> In article <Xns9C439F5F8...@69.16.176.253>,
> "Part_No" <a...@all.com> wrote:
>
>> Ernie Willson <ewil...@comcast.net> wrote in news:4a4f8ff0$0$3540
>> $9a6e...@news.newshosting.com:
>>
>>> I'm looking for plans for a homebuilt seed dryer to dry the seeds from
>>> my garden. It could be either solar or electric powered. If anyone can
>>> direct me to an appropriate site etc. I'd be appreciative.
>>>
>>> Also if someone could send me the URL for vendors/manufacturers of home
>>> garden type seed dryers I'd appreciate that.
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>> EJ in NJ
>> 93,000,000,000 miles away is the thing you are looking for :-}
>
> http://www.i4at.org/surv/soldehyd.htm

It looks like a really inexpensive and neat design..Thanks

EJ in NJ

Darrell Ulm

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Jul 26, 2009, 10:41:19 PM7/26/09
to
On Jul 4, 1:24 pm, Ernie Willson <ewill...@comcast.net> wrote:
> I'm looking for plans for a homebuilt seed dryer to dry the seeds from
> my garden. It could be either solar or electric powered. If anyone can
> direct me to an appropriate site etc. I'd be appreciative.

I use the paper towel, newspaper method, and while it can work,
frequently the seeds will not germinate, so faster drying may be the
key. Tomato seeds work well, but pepper seeds less so. This could also
be due to hybrid seeds, right?

-Darrell Ulm

CanopyCo

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Jul 27, 2009, 10:20:36 AM7/27/09
to
Basically, in nature, the fruit falls to the ground or is eaten and
the seeds get pooped out.
Then they lay in the ground until spring, when they start growing.

Couldn’t a person just plant the wet seeds in little pots that are
kept outside?
Then in the spring, they would grow just like in the wild.

I’m guessing that it wouldn’t work, simply because it is not standard
practice, but thought I would ask anyway.

FarmI

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Jul 28, 2009, 12:31:58 AM7/28/09
to
"CanopyCo" <Junk...@aol.com> wrote in message

Whether it works depends. It depends on your climate, the plant and the
viability of the seed.

I live in a climate that gets hard frosts but snow is as rare as rocking
horse poop.

In Autumn I frequently strip the seed heads of things and just strew the
seeds around the garden to lie there and come up or not as they want to do.
I generally don't bother with putting the seeds in anything but I have done
it sometimes using old broccoli boxes. My problem is forgetting seeds in
pots so I'd rather the seed did its own thing.

Things that grow easily from using this strewing technique are parsley,
coriander, basil, calendulas, aquilegia, mustard, silver beet (chard) and
probably others that I would recall if I took a walk around my garden.

Other things that grow voluntarily from my cold composting techniques are
pumpkins and apple trees and various other squashes.


CanopyCo

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Jul 28, 2009, 12:00:20 PM7/28/09
to
On Jul 27, 11:31 pm, "FarmI" <ask@itshall be given> wrote:
> "CanopyCo" <Junk74...@aol.com> wrote in message

Thanks.
I think I will give this a try next year.

Higgs Boson

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Aug 7, 2009, 11:48:58 PM8/7/09
to
On Jul 5, 5:51 pm, "FarmI" <ask@itshall be given> wrote:
> "Ernie Willson" <ewill...@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > FarmI wrote:
> >> "Ernie Willson" <ewill...@comcast.net> wrote in message

> >>news:4a4f8ff0$0$3540$9a6e...@news.newshosting.com...
> >>> I'm looking for plans for a homebuilt seed dryer to dry the seeds from
> >>> my garden.
>
> >> What sort of seeds are you wanting to dry?
>
> >> I just leave seeds on my kitchen bench on a piece of paper towle or even
> >> just in a small glass bowl to dry before I store them.
>
> > Mostly I am drying flower seedheads and vegetable seeds. Flowers include
> > Coreopsis, Asters, Shasta Daisy, Heliopsis, Marigold, Zinnia  and
> > Gallardia. Vegetables include Tomato, Summer Squash, Peas,  Radish,
> > Eggplant and Peppers.
>
> Unless you live in an extremely humid area, why do you need a seed drier?
>
> As I mentioned, my kitchen bench works fine for drying the seeds I keep or
> indeed, the plant itself where I leave a lot of seed heads to mature because
> I figure nature knows best how to do it and why should I interfere given
> that I can just harvest the seeds when dried.
>
> I mention humidity because that can certainly spoil some seeds but in most
> circumstances, anywhere that you can survive, your seeds will too until you
> are ready to store them.
>
> I save my tomato seeds by fermenting them for a few days in an old jar with
> some water,

Why fermenting? Straight question.

Does anybody ferment any other plant seeds before drying?

TIA

Persephone

FarmI

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Aug 8, 2009, 4:03:30 AM8/8/09
to
"Higgs Boson" <hypa...@gmail.com> wrote in message

On Jul 5, 5:51 pm, "FarmI" <ask@itshall be given> wrote:

> > I save my tomato seeds by fermenting them for a few days in an old jar
> > with
> > some water,

> Why fermenting? Straight question.

Tomato seeds straight from the tomato have a slimy coating (think snot
like). Leaving them for a few days in water gets rid of the slimyness and
then all you have to do is pour them into a kitchen sieve and run a bit of
water on them and then dump them onto a bit of kitchen towel wait for the
whole bit of towel to dry, roll it up and put it away till tomato seed
planting time..


Gary Woods

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Aug 8, 2009, 10:11:21 AM8/8/09
to
Higgs Boson <hypa...@gmail.com> wrote:

>Why fermenting? Straight question.

Fermenting is reputed to kill some pathogens.
It definitely breaks down the gel sac around each seed, making them much
easier to handle once washed and dried.
The Seed Saver's Exchange farm in Iowa has a huge German-built machine to
extract tomato and other seed (think a Foley on steroids), but they still
add water and ferment the tomato seeds for a few days.


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

Gary Woods

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Aug 8, 2009, 10:12:32 AM8/8/09
to
"FarmI" <ask@itshall be given> wrote:

>Leaving them for a few days in water gets rid of the slimyness and
>then all you have to do is pour them into a kitchen sieve and run a bit of
>water on them

Having done that, I just spread the seeds out in the sieve and point a
small desk fan at it. They dry in a couple of hours.

bookmarkmaster

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Aug 26, 2009, 9:11:30 AM8/26/09
to

The Seed Counter is computerized one and specially designed for quick
counting of Seeds. This machine is useful for grains and pulses
laboratories where counting of Seeds is a routine requirement. It is
microcontroller based highly advanced unit with alphanumeric display of
the commodity name and its other details. The machine can be attached to
personal computer for maintaining the records of the samples obtained.
It can also be connected with a serial and/or a parallel printer. It
counts seeds in a given weight or volume quickly and accurately.
Electromagnetic vibratory action moves the seed upward along with the
track. Seeds are arranged into a single line before they are
discharged. As the seed speeds down the chute, it is detected by a
solid state sensor.


--
bookmarkmaster

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