Sterilizing seeds

[BrightsideB]

Last year I tried propagating some Korean pine seeds and they all became moldy in the bag when I was stratifying them. I was successful with some other small seed conifers and strawberry tree. But others became moldy. Primarily large nut/seeds seem to get moldy. I was curious if anyone could share some methods to mitigate mold growth on seeds?

 

[Flowerhouse]

When I was stratifying Robinia seeds I checked them every week and changed the paper towel they were in every other week. Worked for me.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Ventilation is pretty much my go to solution.

A little diluted peroxide does help too, a tablespoon of 3% peroxide in a cup of water should keep them clean.
I add some perlite to the bags to keep stuff from sticking to the walls of the bags, this also prevents pooling of water.

Some nuts like walnuts, acorns and chestnuts get moldy because it helps them germinate. I stratify those outdoors in the ground.

 

[penumbra]

I spay them with a peroxide solution that is about 25% peroxide (3%) and the rest is water. I use it for seeds and hardwood cuttings.

 

[BrightsideB]

Ventilation is pretty much my go to solution.

A little diluted peroxide does help too, a tablespoon of 3% peroxide in a cup of water should keep them clean.
I add some perlite to the bags to keep stuff from sticking to the walls of the bags, this also prevents pooling of water.

Some nuts like walnuts, acorns and chestnuts get moldy because it helps them germinate. I stratify those outdoors in the ground.

That’s interesting that the mold on nuts help them germinate. I guess it could help with the shell becoming softer and such. I think I am going to just go with doing it outdoors with nature’s time with the large nuts.

 

[BrightsideB]

I spay them with a peroxide solution that is about 25% peroxide (3%) and the rest is water. I use it for seeds and hardwood

Thanks, I am going to try it out!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

That’s interesting that the mold on nuts help them germinate. I guess it could help with the shell becoming softer and such. I think I am going to just go with doing it outdoors with nature’s time with the large nuts.

As a kid I used to collect acorns, chestnuts and whatnot in fall. Made those matchstick animals and all with them.
But my squirrel instinct caused me to stash a bunch of plastic bags with those nuts in the cabinets and corners of the house for later use. They got moldy pretty fast! And after a couple weeks it looked like a bag of sprouted potatoes.
Most of these husks/hulls/shells require some fungal breakdown to soften, so the seedling can break through. Scarification can be done in a cleaner environment but that's a tonne of work and it's kind of hard to explain to other people that you've spent a couple hours.. sanding your nuts.

 

[leatherback]

I have tried a few times in a fridge with a baggie. Always mold. I now take to stratification natures way. Plant seeds in fall. Cover against predators. Put outside in a shaded part of the garden and wait for spring to do its magic.

 

[Shibui]

have tried a few times in a fridge with a baggie. Always mold. I now take to stratification natures way. Plant seeds in fall. Cover against predators. Put outside in a shaded part of the garden and wait for spring to do its magic.

Me too.
Even here where winter is not really cold natural stratification is much easier and more reliable.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Hydrogen peroxide and/or sphagnum moss. No mold.

 

[Canada Bonsai]

they all became moldy in the bag when I was stratifying them

This is what i do in terms of sterilization and stratification:

Seed Stratification

CLICK HERE for Seed Stratification document

www.canadabonsai.com

When it comes time to sow the seeds, other sterilization protocols apply