Proper garden maintenance and sanitation practices are
paramount in the garden. Unfortunately, many diseases that occur are often the
result of factors beyond the control of home gardeners, such as in the case of
seed-borne diseases, where infection may be especially frustrating to growers.
There are, however, some steps that can be taken to help prevent the
contamination of certain diseases in crops.
Many forms of blight, leaf spot, and mildew occur through
the planting of contaminated seed. This is especially true of crops like tomatoes,
peppers,
and various brassicas. In recent years, many growers have turned to the process
of hot water seed treatment as a means of prevention for these crop diseases.
Should I Treat My Seed with Hot Water?
Many organic and conventional gardeners may be left to ask,
“Why soak seeds in hot water?” As it stands, hot water treatment of seeds
allows water to pass into the seed and kill possible seed-borne pathogens. When
the process of hot water seed soaking occurs, the seeds are able to be planted
into the garden without the risk of the pathogens building in the soil and
infecting plants.
The decision to treat seeds with hot water varies greatly.
While many types of seeds do benefit from soaking in hot water, others may
suffer from the process. For example, large seeds like corn
and pumpkins
should not be soaked, as the process will damage and drastically reduce
germination of the seed.
The process of treating seeds with hot water will also
require knowledge, as well as the proper equipment to ensure success. Different
varieties of seed will require varying temperatures and varying time periods in
which the seeds are soaked. Soaking seeds for too long or at incorrect
temperatures will damage the seeds, rather than help create a healthy growth
climate.
While buying the necessary tools to properly treat seeds
with hot water may be somewhat expensive, many large scale organic farmers find
the investment worthwhile. Hot water treatment may not be a viable option for all
home gardeners, but many seed suppliers now offer hot water treated seeds for
purchase online.
Proper garden maintenance and sanitation practices are
paramount in the garden. Unfortunately, many diseases that occur are often the
result of factors beyond the control of home gardeners, such as in the case of
seed-borne diseases, where infection may be especially frustrating to growers.
There are, however, some steps that can be taken to help prevent the
contamination of certain diseases in crops.
Many forms of blight, leaf spot, and mildew occur through
the planting of contaminated seed. This is especially true of crops like tomatoes,
peppers,
and various brassicas. In recent years, many growers have turned to the process
of hot water seed treatment as a means of prevention for these crop diseases.
Should I Treat My Seed with Hot Water?
Many organic and conventional gardeners may be left to ask,
“Why soak seeds in hot water?” As it stands, hot water treatment of seeds
allows water to pass into the seed and kill possible seed-borne pathogens. When
the process of hot water seed soaking occurs, the seeds are able to be planted
into the garden without the risk of the pathogens building in the soil and
infecting plants.
The decision to treat seeds with hot water varies greatly.
While many types of seeds do benefit from soaking in hot water, others may
suffer from the process. For example, large seeds like corn
and pumpkins
should not be soaked, as the process will damage and drastically reduce
germination of the seed.
The process of treating seeds with hot water will also
require knowledge, as well as the proper equipment to ensure success. Different
varieties of seed will require varying temperatures and varying time periods in
which the seeds are soaked. Soaking seeds for too long or at incorrect
temperatures will damage the seeds, rather than help create a healthy growth
climate.
While buying the necessary tools to properly treat seeds
with hot water may be somewhat expensive, many large scale organic farmers find
the investment worthwhile. Hot water treatment may not be a viable option for all
home gardeners, but many seed suppliers now offer hot water treated seeds for
purchase online.