Homemade Antifungals to treat seeds

[Zebby]

I want to save some of my seeds from Kakai pumkins that have hull-less seeds to replant next year. These hull-less seeds are difficult to germinate for me unless I buy seeds treated with Thiram, an antifungal. Although I feel Thiram is relatively low in toxicity if carefully used for seed treatment, I am looking for something I can use to increase the success of germination for my saved Kakai seeds. Does anyone know of a non-toxic homemade antifungal I can try for seed germination?

[O'natural]

I do, add some worm castings to the soil. I have personally found that castings really do control fungus problems. http://www.organicrosecare.org/artic...us_control.php

[puttgirl]

I've heard a diluted bleach solution soak works, but I suppose it would depend on the seeds. I've never tried it.

[peapicker]

I use a mixture of ground cinnamon,sage and garlic powder
I had read about this remedy in Organic Gardening
Cinnamon is a fungacide whereas garlic is a antibiotic
I forgot what the sage does
Anyone know.

[ovenbird]

Great question Zebby. Thanks for asking. And thanks for the ideas, idiggers.

[TennOC]

Some people use hydrogen peroxide to soak the seeds in before planting, it kills off a lot of stuff.

[GennyL]

Originally Posted by TennOC

Some people use hydrogen peroxide to soak the seeds in before planting, it kills off a lot of stuff.

I believe my Grans did, they also put 2-3 TB in a gallon of rain water and sprayed/watered. Don't know if that was for the plant or to dis the water.

[SherylGallant]

Calendula is an antifungal. You could make a tea with it and spray them.

[chilzany]

somebody here earlier this year mentioned chamomile tea as antifungal for seedlings. I used up old chamomile teabags I'd been gifted. had no seedling die-offs from fungus this year, just over/underwatering.

[Silverbeard]

Originally Posted by GennyL

I believe my Grans did, they also put 2-3 TB in a gallon of rain water and sprayed/watered. Don't know if that was for the plant or to dis the water.

Its reported to work on for a whole range of things actually. People use it to treat seeds, and report faster germination along with the anti fungal properties in relation to the seed.

It is also used for plants in the ground and is said to lower instance of various fungal and bacterial diseases.

Apparently some studies from austrailia show it even increases yields of some types of crops.

also according to some will lower instances of some types of pests... the oxidating action killing their eggs in the soil, not for adult insects...

Its totally safe, its water with an extra oxygen molecule....

heres a pretty good link on it. http://www.gardenzine.co.uk/peroxide.html