Hypogeal seed

Hi,
I probably read this already but at my advanced age :*) I don't recall...
What do you folks do to keep hypogeal seed from getting moldy/rotting? I read that Ed McRae dipped his in captan(sp).

Thanks

If you mean before I plant them: nothing.
If you mean after I plant them: nothing.

But that's just me, and I tend to take the lazy route. I probably only get half the growth that you do, Andrew. Don't usually grow things under lights, not much fertilizing or have conditions that may call for fungicides. Even when I planted them in the spring outside, I never did anything special to prevent rotting. Most came up the second season just fine.

I put some in vermiculite, but some have become big fuzzy balls.

Fuzz balls not good.

I believe starting with healthy seed is the most important thing. I've started hundreds (and maybe a thousand) cuttings of woody plants in unsterilized sand or peat/perlite, in sealed clear bags with 100% humidity. Perfect conditions for a fungal fest. True those mediums are relatively sterile to begin with, but I take no other measures for cleanliness. Pots still have residue from last time's use, utensils too. Don't bother with bleach or alcohol. Same thing when I propagate alpines. I do get moss growth sometimes, but the mold/mildew/fungus grows only on dead material after they die.

I have used a fungal spray (I think it was for roses) on my pods a few weeks before harvest. Don't know it it made any difference but haven't had much trouble with seedlings.

Wooohooo my first hypogeal seed has germinated! L. Bulbiferum. I am having a problem with mold in my vermiculite though :*( Guess I will try bleaching or fungicide next time.

I'm with intercessor. An inch of prevention prevent a mile long of trouble. :-)

What exactly is molding?

The seed.

The seed that is growing, or a seed that is not?

If it is a seed that is not growing, did it plump up like it is going to germinate, or is it still just a flat papery thing? Plump >>> alive. Not plump >>> ???

If the seeds that are growing or plump are molding, than I would suspect there is too much water in your bag, or could the tiny seedling have been damaged to allow for mold intrusion?

Okay, that's everything I know on the subject. The only seeds that have ever molded for me are the dead looking "paper" seeds that never absorbed water. That I know of at least. Perhaps someone with more experience will have a better answer.