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 Why Bank Seeds

 Process Overview

 Seed Collecting

 Germination Trials

 Other Seed Banks

Conservation ~ The Seed Bank

	Staff, interns and volunteers work on the seed bank

The Step by Step Process
for saving seeds for the future

1. Determine which species' seeds need to be saved
2. Collect seeds
3. Transport the seeds to BBG (keeping them cool and dry)
4. Assign accession (identification) numbers, document the collection (computer, paper)
5. Place seeds in the drying vault
6. Count seeds and remove all non-seed material
7. Weigh seeds
8. Place seeds in labeled foil envelopes and seal envelopes
9. Place seeds in the bank (freezer) for long-term storage
10. Attempt to germinate a small number of seeds
11. If needed, place the seeds or the plants propagated from seeds back into the wild