How do seeds react to cold? For the vast majority, very good! The cold promotes their dormancy. Moreover, the seeds are stored at -20°C at the world seed reserve from Svalbard in Norway.
To preserve the viability of seeds, we must especially avoid hot temperatures and constant temperature variations, because they give the signal that the growing season is coming soon.
The embryo activates and consumes the reserves stored in the seed. If the time has indeed come to unfurl its leaves in the sun, everything is perfect; a little humidity and that's it! In the case of a false alarm, the fact of having unnecessarily used up its reserves compromises the germination capacity of the seed.
Also, we don't worry about the ordered packages that sleep in the post office box for a few days, but rather those that hang out on the corner of the office warmed by the sun in the afternoon. When you receive the seeds, store them immediately in a dark, dry and cool place, preferably in an airtight container. This way, if a packet of seeds lasts you a few years, they will have a better chance of germinating until the end!
