Saving your own pepper seeds is worth it for two simple reasons.
Firstly, it allows you to save some good money during the growing season because you don’t have to get new seeds every time. And, secondly, you get to save unique varieties of peppers that have specific characteristics you desire.
This article will guide you through 4 different methods of preserving pepper seeds, all of which are pretty simple and straightforward.
Let’s dive straight into it, shall we?
How To Save Seeds From Peppers? 4 Easy Ways
1 – Storing Seeds In Envelopes
First and foremost, get your hands on a few ripe and vibrant peppers that display all the signs of a…well…healthy pepper…
Cut them open from the middle using a knife and scrape out all the seeds. If there’s excess residue or pulp stuck to the seeds, run them under some cold water and that should give you clean seeds to work with.
Allow the seeds to air dry for a while (roughly 1-2 weeks) and, once thoroughly dry, seal them up in an envelope of your choice and store them in a cool dry place for however long you want.
2 – The Freezing Method
The seed extraction process remains the same for this method. You still need to cut the peppers down the middle, scrape out their seeds and air dry them for 1-2 whole weeks.
However, this time around, instead of putting the seeds in envelopes and storing them in a cool, dry place, you put them inside an airtight container or ziplock bag and store them in your freezer.
When the growing season comes around, simply take the seeds out of the freezer and thaw them before planting.
3 – Drying In Seed Trays
If you’re planning to work with a large number of seeds, using seed trays can be a viable option.
Follow the same extraction, cleaning, and drying procedure for the seeds mentioned in the methods above. Initially, you don’t have to air dry the seeds for weeks, just some patting with paper towels should be enough to get them decently dry.
Next, spread your seeds on a seed tray (or multiple seed trays if using higher quantities) in a thin layer and leave them out in the open air for 1-2 weeks to dry. Once the seeds begin to feel crisp, transfer them to airtight bags or containers and store them in a relatively cool, dry place.
4 – Storing In A Seed Bank
A seed bank is perfect for long-term storage of desirable seeds.
Simply extract your pepper seeds using the same exact procedures mentioned above, clean them with water to separate seeds from the pulp, and dry them for 1-2 weeks in open air.
Then, fill up some airtight containers and ziplock bags with the dried seeds and make sure any chances of air reaching them are mitigated. For further protection, add a packet of silica gel or two to the containers so any moisture that does come in is absorbed rather quickly.
Storing your seeds in a seed bank is advantageous because these seed banks offer low humidity and optimal storage conditions for the seeds.
Final Words
Whether you’re genuinely trying to save seeds for planting purposes or just want to try out a fun little project with your children, preserving seeds always pays dividends in the long run!
You want to save seeds from the peppers you desire to grow and store them in a way that keeps them healthy, moisture-free, and plant-able.
