Sprouting seeds, what can you treat seeds with to stop fungus?

[Barry]

I have seeds bagged to sprout, seeing some fungus growing on some. What can you safely spray on the seeds to control this?

[PalmatierMeg]

Make sure all fruit is cleaned

Soak seeds in hydrogen peroxide before bagging

Let dry then dust with fungicide before bagging

Orchid moss should be damp, not soggy

If fungus forms, soak in H2O2 again, redust then rebag with fresh damp orchid moss

Be aware that if seeds are old or compromised fungus may attack them whatever you do

[aztropic]

When sprouting 'rare' seeds,it's best to take every precaution from the start! In this situation, I would start by gathering up the seeds,rub them between two hands under a stream of water to remove any remaining fruit or mold,then give them an hour soak in hydrogen peroxide. Start with fresh long fiber orchid moss,soak it in distilled water 1/2 hour,remove from water,then microwave for 5 minutes. Let cool,squeeze out any excess water,place in a new plastic bag with the seeds coming right out of the peroxide. Now,onto the heat mat at 90F. Should not have any mold problems after that. 

Are those Hemithrinax seeds? If so,a better way to deal with those tiny seeds that develop big root systems before green is to use those jiffy peat pot greenhouses with 72 pots. Considerable root growth,and zero disturbance on transplanting. 1 seed per pot. That's how I do it! 

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[aztropic]

Hemithrinax from seed is a long term proposition! Here is what 1 year old seedlings look like. 1 mm wide blades of grass,about 7 inches tall now. In the photo rear, are 3 year old Coccothrinax boschiana. Those start out exactly like Hemithrinax to give you an idea of a timeline progression just to produce a 1 gallon plant. 

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

Edited March 6, 2023 by aztropic

[Patrick]

8 hours ago, aztropic said:

When sprouting 'rare' seeds,it's best to take every precaution from the start! In this situation, I would start by gathering up the seeds,rub them between two hands under a stream of water to remove any remaining fruit or mold,then give them an hour soak in hydrogen peroxide. Start with fresh long fiber orchid moss,soak it in distilled water 1/2 hour,remove from water,then microwave for 5 minutes. Let cool,squeeze out any excess water,place in a new plastic bag with the seeds coming right out of the peroxide. Now,onto the heat mat at 90F. Should not have any mold problems after that. 

Are those Hemithrinax seeds? If so,a better way to deal with those tiny seeds that develop big root systems before green is to use those jiffy peat pot greenhouses with 72 pots. Considerable root growth,and zero disturbance on transplanting. 1 seed per pot. That's how I do it! 

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

I like the microwave idea. I have a project coming up and I'll try this. The Guihaias I'm getting are notorious for dampening off.  My mix is peat and pearlite in a tub, and I want to do all I can to not botch it. Thank you.

[Barry]

11 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Make sure all fruit is cleaned

Soak seeds in hydrogen peroxide before bagging

Let dry then dust with fungicide before bagging

Orchid moss should be damp, not soggy

If fungus forms, soak in H2O2 again, redust then rebag with fresh damp orchid moss

Be aware that if seeds are old or compromised fungus may attack them whatever you do

Thanks Meg, what fungicide would be recommended? I have Diathane 45 or Banrot.

I guess I have some work to do to get them clean again. I did soak in water with peroxide, but not full strength.

[Barry]

9 hours ago, aztropic said:

When sprouting 'rare' seeds,it's best to take every precaution from the start! In this situation, I would start by gathering up the seeds,rub them between two hands under a stream of water to remove any remaining fruit or mold,then give them an hour soak in hydrogen peroxide. Start with fresh long fiber orchid moss,soak it in distilled water 1/2 hour,remove from water,then microwave for 5 minutes. Let cool,squeeze out any excess water,place in a new plastic bag with the seeds coming right out of the peroxide. Now,onto the heat mat at 90F. Should not have any mold problems after that. 

Are those Hemithrinax seeds? If so,a better way to deal with those tiny seeds that develop big root systems before green is to use those jiffy peat pot greenhouses with 72 pots. Considerable root growth,and zero disturbance on transplanting. 1 seed per pot. That's how I do it! 

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

Scott,

I will re-clean the seeds. Unfortunately I did not get any Hemithrinax, but did get some Cop. cowelli, which is another life long project. I will try the peat pots for the cowellii.

Thanks for the pointers, hopefully I can get them to sprout and grow!

[Barry]

8 hours ago, aztropic said:

Hemithrinax from seed is a long term proposition! Here is what 1 year old seedlings look like. 1 mm wide blades of grass,about 7 inches tall now. In the photo rear, are 3 year old Coccothrinax boschiana. Those start out exactly like Hemithrinax to give you an idea of a timeline progression just to produce a 1 gallon plant. 

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

Hopefully you are young! LOL, I knew they were slow, but this drives the point home! It makes you appreciate the plants we can buy with some size to them and happy to pay the price for them. My Hemithrinax is a 1 gallon from Mike Harris, it is in the ground, about 10-12” tall.

[Frond-friend42]

Prevention beats treatment but copper fungicide or daconil can help too. Also cinnamon added to the soil can help prevent recurrence. So far I've seen these three help.