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maine USA

I am picking my seed lineup like everyone else. One thing that I have noticed is that I have some wonderful seeds from patches from diseased patches. Does anyone know what the likely hood of disease transmittal via seeds? If so would a 10% bleach solution prevent this? Again, if so, how long would it be safe to soak them? thanks Kathy

2/27/2007 1:53:44 PM

central Missouri

Disease can certainly be spread via seeds. Unless you trust the grower without reservation I would urge you to consider not only a bleach soak but also an h2o2 soak. Your chances of avoiding introducing disease to your patch may be enhanced by soaking before and after using the advanced seed starting method.
http://bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=66
This is not for the faint of heart. If you damage the radicle you have ruined the seed. But I think it's better to risk ruining a seed than to risk ruining your patch. The h2o2 may, possibly, result in deformed cots. But they'll be gone in a few weeks anyway.
If I had it to do over again, which I don't, I would soak before and after removing the seed coat. I would not touch the seeds before soaking and I would dispose of the envelope the seeds came in immediately to avoid spreading disease to other seeds.
This will seem like extreme advice to most, it's your patch and your decision. Have fun and good luck!
Mark

3/7/2007 2:21:55 PM

Montoursville, PA

Right on Mark...........Four years ago I got run out of town for saying what you just said.

3/7/2007 7:42:05 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Sanitation is critical. This might sounf anal but like the others, I use an alcohol based hand sanitizer when seed starting before & during the seed handling phase just to be safe.

Disease transmission by properly handled seeds is highly unlikely. Growers should all be using a 5% bleach solution to clean their seeds when harvesting. Then if we do a 50% hydrogen peroxide soak before planting the liklihood is reduced to just about zero.

IF a seedling fungal pathogen still rides in on the seed, the young seedling will croak long before you get it into the patch.

There are very rare cases of viral transmission among seeds but these are obscure viruses (not CMV, SqMV, WmMV2, etc) that most growers never see & will never see a second time.

3/7/2007 11:27:04 PM

maine USA

Thank you all for the responses. I definitely believe that disease can be transmitted via seeds. I will be soaking my seeds for sure. thanks KathyT

3/8/2007 12:16:45 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I know that some folks have had trouble using straight peroxide soaks for the pre-plant. It might be too much for a seed with a porous coat. I dilute with water to 50/50 & keep it at 85 degrees F for 6-8 hours before planting in the soiless mix.

We've only ever used the 5-10% bleach to clean the seeds as they're removed from the fruit. That usually doesn't take more than a few minutes unless there is some interuption.

3/8/2007 7:36:14 AM