As far as I can tell you can't really store crinum seed at all. I suppose it depends on how you define 'store'. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ We regularly store crinum seeds in the refrigerator. They are put in > ziptop plastic bags, labeled, and put in the fridge. The temperatures run somewhere around 39?F or +4?C. The seeds will normally germinate during this time. ========================== Hi Gang, I enjoyed the notes from the two Jims. I have to agree with their general consensus that Crinum seeds don't exactly "store" in the same way that many seeds will store. Crinum produce recalcitrant seeds; this means that they are not orthodox seeds. Perhaps more than 70% of plant species produce orthodox seeds. Orthodox seeds can continue to dry after maturation and can often be stored for many years if kept cool and dry. They can lose lots of water content and remain viable (e.g., corn). LINK: Orthodox and Recalcitrant Seeds (article by P. Berjak and N.W. Pammenter) http://rngr.net/Publications/ttsm/… Recalcitrant seeds generally have a limited shelf life and Crinum seed can last for months before being planted, sometimes 6-8 months (especially for big seeds, walnut-sized seeds). I have not generally tried to store Crinum seed; it just germinates when it wants to. Storage of extra small Crinum seeds is risky; some hybrid-type seed can be very small for Crinum, and such seed needs to be planted as soon as you can. Interestingly, it seems to do no good to open a Crinum seed pod prematurely; seeds taken early seem to fail more often than not. Sometimes, if seeds are produced in fall, I have planted them and they have remained quiescent until spring. When temperatures warmed a bit, and days got longer, the seeds germinated (C. asiaticum, C. pedunculatum, C. erubescens). I sent some Crinum bulbispermum Jumbo seeds to an email friend overseas and they took about 2 months to get there because I sent them book rate. The seeds had mostly germinated, but being Crinum some of them made little plantlets that could be rescued. I've been afraid to refrigerate seeds and am happy to hear that Jim S. has had good luck with that approach. Surely, coolness slows down the urge to germinate and must help prolong general shelf life (just like a head of lettuce). I've just been reticent to try refrigeration for Crinum seeds. QUESTION for Jim S. ----------------------------- Have you stored many types at 4 C; do tropical Crinum seeds accept refrigerator conditions? NOTE: ------- Just when you want Crinum seeds to germinate, some will "store themselves" and take and extra 2-4 months to germinate, even when conditions seem optimal. Go figure. Cordially, Joe The "second spring" of the year is here. Temperatures often remain pleasant and above freezing until mid-November or even early January. Rainlilies really grow during this not-too-hot time. As far as I can tell you can't really store crinum seed at all. I suppose it depends on how you define 'store'. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ We regularly store crinum seeds in the refrigerator. They are put in > ziptop plastic bags, labeled, and put in the fridge. The temperatures run somewhere around 39?F or +4?C. The seeds will normally germinate during this time. ========================== Hi Gang, I enjoyed the notes from the two Jims. I have to agree with their general consensus that Crinum seeds don't exactly "store" in the same way that many seeds will store. Crinum produce recalcitrant seeds; this means that they are not orthodox seeds. Perhaps more than 70% of plant species produce orthodox seeds. Orthodox seeds can continue to dry after maturation and can often be stored for many years if kept cool and dry. They can lose lots of water content and remain viable (e.g., corn). LINK: Orthodox and Recalcitrant Seeds (article by P. Berjak and N.W. Pammenter) http://rngr.net/Publications/ttsm/… Recalcitrant seeds generally have a limited shelf life and Crinum seed can last for months before being planted, sometimes 6-8 months (especially for big seeds, walnut-sized seeds). I have not generally tried to store Crinum seed; it just germinates when it wants to. Storage of extra small Crinum seeds is risky; some hybrid-type seed can be very small for Crinum, and such seed needs to be planted as soon as you can. Interestingly, it seems to do no good to open a Crinum seed pod prematurely; seeds taken early seem to fail more often than not. Sometimes, if seeds are produced in fall, I have planted them and they have remained quiescent until spring. When temperatures warmed a bit, and days got longer, the seeds germinated (C. asiaticum, C. pedunculatum, C. erubescens). I sent some Crinum bulbispermum Jumbo seeds to an email friend overseas and they took about 2 months to get there because I sent them book rate. The seeds had mostly germinated, but being Crinum some of them made little plantlets that could be rescued. I've been afraid to refrigerate seeds and am happy to hear that Jim S. has had good luck with that approach. Surely, coolness slows down the urge to germinate and must help prolong general shelf life (just like a head of lettuce). I've just been reticent to try refrigeration for Crinum seeds. QUESTION for Jim S. ----------------------------- Have you stored many types at 4 C; do tropical Crinum seeds accept refrigerator conditions? NOTE: ------- Just when you want Crinum seeds to germinate, some will "store themselves" and take and extra 2-4 months to germinate, even when conditions seem optimal. Go figure. Cordially, Joe The "second spring" of the year is here. Temperatures often remain pleasant and above freezing until mid-November or even early January. Rainlilies really grow during this not-too-hot time.