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Location

Message

Date Posted

Ray, North Dakota

How many days should I leave my seeds in the food dehydrator? Thanks.

8/16/2007 1:20:38 PM

Colorado

Herbie,
Only leave them in the dehydrator long enough that the thin
clear skin layer comes off easily. It only takes a 3 or 4
hours in the dehydrator that I have. After you have removed
the "skin" continue to air dry for a few days before storing....LB

8/16/2007 1:46:12 PM

North Smithfield, RI USA

Lisa,,,,, How long does your family have to wait to use the bathtub ? Only joking !!! I use the cellar here since it is damp anyway !

8/16/2007 6:18:14 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Too funny Northman...was going to say the same.

We also use a screen atop of something and turn the fan on for a few weeks and turn every one in awhile...till the skin blows off..then they are dry...then put in the freezer, a jar, in your sock drawer or whatever tickles your fancy.

8/16/2007 11:05:31 PM

Syracuse, NY

to get the seeds dried and done as quickly as possible and
get on with whatever there is in life after the season is overwith, which isn't much, lol, a food dehydrator is the best thing that has ever been invented in my opinion.

everybody waiting for WEEEEEEEEEEKS to dry their seeds and rodents taking-off with them and mold setting-in and so forth...

i know i'm carrying-on like a holy man pushing redemption,
but 72-96 hours in a food dehydrator at 90-95 degrees
is the best way ever to dry seeds, and a decent, adequate
one from a Wal-Mart or maybe a Target AND a digital
thermometer to go into it just for fun will run you about
40-50 bucks tops, and just think of all the things we spend even more than that on just for entertainment, getting drunk, food, and even better, the price of gas is coming down, lol.

anyway, if Joel Holland does it, so should we.
seeds are not dry internally as soon as the skin
flakes off (sorry, North, LB). if you store them as soon as that happens, you are only storing the moisture as well--eg

8/17/2007 7:32:54 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Hey Eric, hope we get to do some of that entertainment, getting drunk, food and.....WHAT?? Price of gas in Canada is out of this world....and lucky me with the 1963 Ford hotrod with the 289 CI motor that loves to suck up the most expensive gas there is....I digress.....good idea with the food dehydrator...just have never used one.

8/17/2007 7:57:17 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

By the way Eric, after the seed skin comes off, I leave them out for another week without the fan on...so there!!

8/17/2007 7:58:33 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I love doing my seeds in the food dehydrator. it sure does save a lot of time and you know there dry....

8/18/2007 2:22:11 AM

Ray, North Dakota

First batch is almost done.

I want to keep the temp under 95 degrees. The reason I say this is certified wheat or barley seed that needs to be dried is done at a slow low temp rate. Germination dies at 95-100 degrees.

8/18/2007 10:01:18 AM

Ray, North Dakota

I checked the first batch, and they are no good. The outside of the seed hull is wrinkled, and they are very brittle.

I cracked a bunch of them open, and they are empty. I had hopes of something to exchange again this year, but I just can't get it together. The seed was huge and appeared to be well formed, but just wasn't filled.

So, I'll be sending a bunch of bubble packs around again this fall lol.

Next year, next year.....

I'll have to see if Bruce Whittier has any more 1217's to give out. Real nice plant to grow. Same with the 1355.5 Marion, it was a great plant.

8/18/2007 10:20:58 AM

Fairport,NY

Sorry to hear about the seeds:( If i get any of mine this year and you want some let me know?
Bumkin

8/20/2007 1:38:41 PM

Frankfort, KY

You can often find food dehydrators second hand, too - yard sales, good will, salvation army, thrift stores.

Sorry about your seeds :( sounds very frustrating.

8/22/2007 3:16:47 PM