Seeds sustain life processes in a dormant state, but at a very low level. The moisture they absorb from the air combines with the nutrient reserves in the seed, creating soluble food that then reacts with oxygen from the air, releasing water and heat. Excessive humidity will cause the seed to deplete its reserves too quickly, generating excess heat, which further reduces germination ability. The goal is to minimize these processes during storage to extend the seed's lifespan.
6–9% humidity is ideal for the long-term storage of hemp seeds. Moisture level tests show that hard-shelled seeds, such as hemp seeds, crack at around 8% humidity instead of crushing when struck with a hammer on concrete.
Silica gel, often used for drying seeds, can also help maintain a stable humidity level in a sealed storage container. An equal weight of silica gel and seeds is used. Generally, hemp seeds weigh between 0.01 and 0.02 grams, and our silica gel packets contain 0.5 g. We recommend storing seeds in aluminum ziplock bags and placing them in jars with the appropriate amount of silica gel to maintain low humidity. It is important to note that too low humidity can seriously damage the seeds, so do not use too much desiccant.