Inhibiting mold, fungii...

[Externet]

Hello.

Germinating moist seeds in capped containers sometimes spoils the seed with mold / fungus growth.

Is there any chemical placed on a absorbent tissue attached under the container cap that will not harm the soil or the seed ?  Would vinegar work  ?  A piece of moth ball ?  I usually microwave the soil in 30ml. containers for germination but not always effective.

[chenbeier]

I would try sulfur.

[MigL]

chemicals, like acidic vinegar or Sulfur might adversely affect the germination.
Are you putting the seeds on a moist towel inside a clear plastic bag, and letting bright sunlight take care of the mold/fungus issue ?

[TheVat]

Crush some garlic in there.  

[Externet]

13 minutes ago, MigL said:

Are you putting the seeds on a moist towel inside a clear plastic bag, and letting bright sunlight take care of the mold/fungus issue ?

Tried that way and it is worse.  Currently using soil in capped clear these by a window :

[StringJunky]

@ExternetWhat size range are your seeds or what seed types are they?

Edited July 4 by StringJunky

[Externet]

Hi  StringJunky. 

All sizes from a grain of sand to ~20mm; goji, lychee, pistachio, caper, culantro, peach, plum, These pomegranates germinated well, like 70 of 100 :

First time trying now to germinate in the refrigerator ~5C  : wintergreen.

[MigL]

Some seeds, like avocado, don't like any covering or contact at all.
They germinate by suspending above moisture, and once germinated, can be transferred to soil.

[StringJunky]

39 minutes ago, Externet said:

Hi  StringJunky. 

All sizes from a grain of sand to ~20mm; goji, lychee, pistachio, caper, culantro, peach, plum, These pomegranates germinated well, like 70 of 100 :

Using organic media, I would keep them in the dark at 20-24c to inhibit the mould while covered.

They don't initially need light. Mould likes light. Just air, moisture and about that temperature range above until the cotyledons break the surface. The media wants to be pre-moistened, not wet. Squeeze it to make sure then fluff it back up. Put them somewhere dark or low light and the direct sun doesn't touch them. They want a steady temperature. Large seeds put them an inch down. Small seeds, place them on a levellish media surface and sprinkle some media over them. Pop a few holes in the lid for some air exchange and the base for drainage.

 

For a more sterile media, use heat-treated sand with a particle size range 0.045 mm to 0.85mm.

Use it with the same procedure as soil. Seedlings don't need feeding for a week or two because it is in the cotyledons. When the cotyledons turn yellow, the nutrient supply is exhausted and feeding is needed.

Research first, if not known, whether the seeds need pre-chilling or wintered at 5c. Pot up as above, then chill. Find out how long you need to chill them for from the internet if necessary.

Increase the air space a bit more.

Edited July 4 by StringJunky

[Externet]

Tried including garlic in the container, did not impair the formation of mould.  Same with pieces of onion.  And with both. 😟