For general use, seeds are soaked in 2.7% sodium hypochlorite (half-strength standard household bleach) for 30 min. (60 min. for S. cheesmaniae, S. galapagense, S. ochranthum, and S. juglandifolium). After bleaching, seed should be rinsed thoroughly, then sown directly (i.e. without allowing to dry) in germination boxes or in soil.
http://tgrc.ucdavis.edu/seed_germ.aspx
you can speed up the sprouting process and protect your seedlings from mildews and molds with simple hydrogen peroxide.
For wet sprouting (when using a flat surface and wet paper towel or other cloth) simply spray the outer surface of the damp material enclosing the seeds with a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution once a day after remoistening the sprouting seeds.
If you're using seed starter peat pots or other soil-based sprouting media, add 1/4 volume of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to the water before watering the sprouts.
Using hydrogen peroxide in the watering and sprouting material will eliminate fuzzy molds and bacteria which often attack sprouting seeds. It will also speed up the sprouting process sometimes by as much as half.
There are many disinfectants that can be used Sodium hypochlorite (1-5%) or 10% Calcium hypochlorite. mercuric chloride 1% is also
useful.
http://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_one_sterilize_seed_without_killing_them
http://forum.grasscity.com/advanced-growing-techniques/707074-using-hydrogen-peroxide-treat-prevent-root-rot.html
Mixing charts for gardening with hydrogen peroxide
If you want to start gardening with hydrogen peroxide, you need to know how much peroxide to use. Here are charts to tell you how much!
To water or mist plants, to soak seeds, to add to water used to wash sprouts:
| TO THIS AMOUNT OF WATER | ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE | --OR-- ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 35% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE |
| 1 cup | 1 and 1/2 teaspoons | 7 to 10 drops |
| 1 quart | 2 tablespoons | 1/2 teaspoon |
| 1 gallon | 1/2 cup | 2 teaspoons |
| 5 gallons | 2 and 1/2 cups | 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon |
| 10 gallons | 5 cups | 6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons |
| 20 gallons | 10 cups | 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon |
| bathtub (aprox 25 to 35 gallons) * | 12 to 17 cups | 1 to 1.5 cups |
* bathtub sizes vary. It is okay to use more water and/or less peroxide.
To spray on sick or fungusy plants:
| TO THIS AMOUNT OF WATER | ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE | --OR-- ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 35% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE |
| 1 cup | 1 tablespoon | 1/4 teaspoon |
| 1 pint | 2 tablespoons | 1/2 teaspoon |
| 1 quart | 1/4 cup | 1 teaspoon |
| 1 gallon | 1 cup | 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon |
| 5 gallons | 5 cups | 6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons |
| 10 gallons | 10 cups | 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoons |
| 20 gallons | 20 cups | 1 and 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons |
Please be mindful to choose the correct column in the chart depending on whether you are using 3% hydrogen peroxide or 35% hydrogen peroxide!!
