deep freeze or cool and dark for long term storage?

taproot

Well-Known Member
I'm wondering after drying and curing if deep freezing or just a cool dark place would be best for preserving bud for years. I plan on using vacuum bags after curing and then storing away but not sure if freezing is going to be ok. I know that the majority use mason jars but I'm leaning on the side of use the food saver bags for storage..but should I freeze / deep freeze or store cool?
 

mean.green

Well-Known Member
I'm wondering after drying and curing if deep freezing or just a cool dark place would be best for preserving bud for years. I plan on using vacuum bags after curing and then storing away but not sure if freezing is going to be ok. I know that the majority use mason jars but I'm leaning on the side of use the food saver bags for storage..but should I freeze / deep freeze or store cool?
I use the vacuum bags and place them in a glass jar. Double protected. And then place them in a dark place. I've had bud stay fresh for up to a year. But I have not gone any longer.
 

mean.green

Well-Known Member
There's some good info here from Ed Rosenthal and Kevin Jodrey regarding temperature and packaging as it relates to long term storage. The stuff you're looking for starts at about 18:35 with underground storage but it progresses into something more pragmatic.


thanks for the info. i'm going to start putting it in the fridge also.
 

Michael Huntherz

Well-Known Member
There's some good info here from Ed Rosenthal and Kevin Jodrey regarding temperature and packaging as it relates to long term storage. The stuff you're looking for starts at about 18:35 with underground storage but it progresses into something more pragmatic.


This tracks with everything I understand about chemistry, biology, storage, preservation of food and stuff like that. Tryin' to say: Seems legit. :bigjoint:
 

taproot

Well-Known Member
No problem bud. I've never tried it but I've also never grown in large enough quantities to warrant long term storage. I bet it does the trick nicely though.
Neither am I ...I guess. I'll probably harvest a few ounces per grow. I don't need much about 2oz every six months or so. But the strains I really like I 'd want to store a few z's along the way. Also, how are you guys storing seeds long term that you run across and like? Do you store them in a rice fill jar in the fridge or freeze them?
 

Artificer

New Member
Neither am I ...I guess. I'll probably harvest a few ounces per grow. I don't need much about 2oz every six months or so. But the strains I really like I 'd want to store a few z's along the way. Also, how are you guys storing seeds long term that you run across and like? Do you store them in a rice fill jar in the fridge or freeze them?
I get what you're saying there. I keep my seeds in a little air tight mason jar in the fridge. Sort of like my bud though, they don't really hang around too long, maybe six months to a year.
 

mean.green

Well-Known Member
I found two bag seeds in the back of my safe, they were about a year or two old; both germinated and are growing great.
 

taproot

Well-Known Member
I get what you're saying there. I keep my seeds in a little air tight mason jar in the fridge. Sort of like my bud though, they don't really hang around too long, maybe six months to a year.
I've heard of people storing seeds for 10 yrs or more and having great success but I know keeping them dry is the key. So, wondering if freezing would help more or what. I'd like to save sees that I run across for years to come.
 

Artificer

New Member

Chunky Stool

Well-Known Member
I like cvault containers w/humidity control pack. I'm currently vaping herb that was picked in early October & I think it's actually gotten better since being put in storage. Seriously. It is very nice...
 

The Nine

Active Member
Neither am I ...I guess. I'll probably harvest a few ounces per grow. I don't need much about 2oz every six months or so. But the strains I really like I 'd want to store a few z's along the way. Also, how are you guys storing seeds long term that you run across and like? Do you store them in a rice fill jar in the fridge or freeze them?
I kept about 25-30 seeds in a cardboard matchbox in my kitchen drawer for about 8 or 9 years and then gave them to my sisters bf and every one of them grew in to great plants.
I think cool, dark and dry for seeds is the basic storage requirement.
 

fanofthegreen

New Member
I have tried them all, most have been good attempts, but after time or use they don't work as well or simply break or plastic cracks over time.

I saw a new product at the past Champs trade show in Vegas. I figured I have spent at least $150 over the past few years on containers, and decided to give the Ferrari of storage a try. Whoever designed this thing hit all the pain points and came up with something that actually works EVERY DAY and is so easy to use.

  • No odor. ZERO ZIPPO. My dog could care less when he is near it, and he's got a good sniffer!
  • Built-in vacuum pump keeps everything fresh by removing air, which can cause mold
  • Built like a brick house - really nice design and materials such as stainless steel
  • Humidity control capable - Includes dividers and holders for humidity control packs
  • Best of all it has a freaking resettable keyless combination lock to keep my everyone out of my stuff and it's great for transport (portable, no smell, combination lock)
It's called Sneakguard, I am not sure what stores have them as Champs was their launch, but they are available online on their website with free shipping.
 

StashToker

Well-Known Member
Seeds - Pack them in dry rice or flower in a paper bag then vac seal (old style was jars). Freeze them like this and they should be viable for 25+ years. Dry storage of seeds has been done for thousands of years by the agricultural community. It's not new. bongsmilie
 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
It's not hard to actually find accurate info regarding this

I wouldnt advocate vac sealing a volatile substance...think about the vapor pressure of terpenes present and what that vacuum is doing

Light is all you really need to worry about with bud.


Try reading studies, papers that start with abstract ;)


The long term stabilityof cannabis resin and extracts

Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences (Impact Factor: 0.7).09/2010; 42:181-190. DOI:10.1080/00450610903258144


No degredation of neutral thc (not thca) over the 4 year study period with a 35 day half life of thca in dark at room temp




Light is the enemy here. Even at 170° theres only a 5% loss converting the more sensitive thca into thc.
Thc beimg significantly more unstable than cbd or cbn

Cbn will still slowly form in the reezer due to enzymatic processes, unrelated to thc degradation
Though limiting o2 will also help.


In other words, mold of any type typically cant thrive under 60% rh. Keep that under control, in a sealed container. The vp will equalize and wont loose more terps. Temp should be ~40-50
For very long storage... as in your grand kids could smoke it... the bud itself wilp break down some during this time. The cannabinoids induce cellular apoptosis in cannabis tissue....




As far as seed storage...again a little research can go along way, or just general education

i have seeds +20 years old.
have had some loose in trucks tool box through seasonal changes. some in the freezer, some just sitting in a dresser.

the viability of all is the same. same germ rates, which are quite good. even crushed seeds have given me 50%

if your storing for a long period as in measured in decades.. go for your freezer. otherwise it really doesnt matter.
i like 60% and 60°. for normal storage
I wouldnt go below 20% humidity..
like with decreasing humidity till you hit the lower critical moisture content. longevity is also improved once you reach the UPPER critical moisture content. at this level respiration is allowed to occur and the seed actually repairs damage it would receive or say to dna over time.. in extremely dry conditions the seed could also die from the rapid water absorption. they first should beexposed to humid air...
 
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