Prolonging moldy seeds?

maxjohnson · November 10, 2018

I saved some of these squash seeds but apparently didn't dry them long enough, there are bits of mold on the outside. Is it too late to save them or is there anything like a solution I can spray on them to maybe increase the germination chance? It's not a big lost, but would be nice to not have to order the seeds again.

Nan_PA_6b · November 10, 2018

My method of saving tomato seeds involves soaking them in a solution of Oxy Clean laundry detergent (1 tablespoon to a cup of water) for 45 minutes, then gently scrubbing & rinsing. My guess would be that such a treatment wouldn't be harmful for your seeds. Spread them to dry for 2 weeks or more, after.

Cole_Robbie · November 11, 2018

I was thinking peroxide, but oxy is very similar. If it were me, and the seeds are already fully dry at the moment, I would make the mold killing treatment your pre soak right before you plant the seeds next season.

rxkeith · November 13, 2018

i would take them out of the plastic, and store them in a paper envelope after leaving them in a dry room maybe awhile longer. they don't look too bad in the picture.
any moisture whatsoever can cause mold to form on seeds when stored in plastic.
i usually don't pack my seeds up until the dead of winter when the wood stove is cranking, driving down the humidity in the house.

keith

Greatgardens · November 18, 2018

Are you sure it is actually mold? Do you store your seeds with a desiccant packet to drive down moisture? Have you considered UV light if available and appropriate to your situation? Bleach or Oxy is probably adequate. And based on your picture, I really think this is a fairly low-level issue.

Nan_PA_6b · November 18, 2018

Take them out of the bag to dry more so the mold is stopped.Test the worst-looking seed in the bag. If it germinates, don't worry about it. Put them in a new bag - maybe a paper envelope?

November 18, 2018	#5
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	Are you sure it is actually mold? Do you store your seeds with a desiccant packet to drive down moisture? Have you considered UV light if available and appropriate to your situation? Bleach or Oxy is probably adequate. And based on your picture, I really think this is a fairly low-level issue. Last edited by Greatgardens; November 18, 2018 at 07:06 AM.

November 10, 2018	#2
Nan_PA_6b Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3,194	My method of saving tomato seeds involves soaking them in a solution of Oxy Clean laundry detergent (1 tablespoon to a cup of water) for 45 minutes, then gently scrubbing & rinsing. My guess would be that such a treatment wouldn't be harmful for your seeds. Spread them to dry for 2 weeks or more, after.

November 11, 2018	#3
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I was thinking peroxide, but oxy is very similar. If it were me, and the seeds are already fully dry at the moment, I would make the mold killing treatment your pre soak right before you plant the seeds next season.

November 13, 2018	#4
rxkeith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Back in da U.P. Posts: 1,848	i would take them out of the plastic, and store them in a paper envelope after leaving them in a dry room maybe awhile longer. they don't look too bad in the picture. any moisture whatsoever can cause mold to form on seeds when stored in plastic. i usually don't pack my seeds up until the dead of winter when the wood stove is cranking, driving down the humidity in the house. keith