How to Soak Seeds in Clorox
Before you plant your seeds, consider processing them in a Clorox solution that helps prevent many bacterial diseases that can damage or kill your crops. Clorox works by cleaning the outside of the seed wall and is commonly used as an alternative to a hot water treatment because there is less of a chance of damaging certain types of seeds. Using this bleaching agent with a few supplies, soak your own seeds in Clorox so that you have the best chance at a successful harvest.
Place your seeds in a container. Add 1 tsp. of surfactant and pour in one part Clorox to four parts water (for example, 1 cup Clorox to 4 cups water).
Stir the Clorox mixture continuously for 1 minute to allow the treatment to reach every seed. If you have pepper or tomato seeds, you may continue soaking your seeds for up to 40 minutes to further purify them.
- Before you plant your seeds, consider processing them in a Clorox solution that helps prevent many bacterial diseases that can damage or kill your crops.
Pour your seeds in a strainer. Hold the strainer under cold running water to rinse the seeds for 5 minutes.
Place your seeds on a screen. Spread the seeds out so that they do not touch each other and allow them to dry.
Tip
Surfactant, which is available from garden centers, allows the Clorox solution to spread to all of your seeds.
You can use a paper towel in place of a screen in step 4, but turn your seeds every day to ensure that they dry evenly on both sides.
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Tips
- Surfactant, which is available from garden centers, allows the Clorox solution to spread to all of your seeds.
- You can use a paper towel in place of a screen in step 4, but turn your seeds every day to ensure that they dry evenly on both sides.
Writer Bio
Brandy Alexander has been writing professionally since 2001. She is a glass artist with a Web design and technical writing background. Alexander runs her own art-glass business and has been a contributor to "Glass Line Magazine" as well as various online publications.
