Detergent washing spinach seed before planting?!?

naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan

18 years ago

Here's info from a seed packet I bought yesterday. I have never done this with spinach seed. In fact, I never heard of it before. How about you?

"SPINACH, Bloomsdale Long Standing

PLANT: Before sowing, wash seeds in a mild detergent solution; rinse and soak in water for 24 hours. Direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked........."

I sometimes soak various veggie seeds to speed germination, but washing with detergent??!! Anyone know what's up with this?

It's a packet from Sow 'N Gro Seed, a product of Ferry-Morse Seed Co.

Featured Answer

Belgianpup

18 years ago

Actually, I think there IS a legitimate reason! Soap or detergent breaks the surface tension of water, which helps the seeds to absorb the water better and faster. IOW, it "makes the water wetter".

A little detergent in your water bucket when you're collecting plant-damaging bugs works the same water, and helps to drown them faster, and is safer for the environment than using oil, gasoline or kerosene, etc.

Sue

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Comments (7)

justaguy2
18 years ago
Maybe the folks who prepare the seed for packaging have a habit of not washing their hands after using the bathroom?
oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
18 years ago
Spinach seed is commonly infected with seed borne diseases. The detergent treatment is an attempt to remove any surface spores. Commercially, chlorine or hot water treatment of the seed is used.
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naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
Original Author
18 years ago
Justaguy, I hope that isn't the reason LOL

Wouldn't the seed be treated with chlorine or hat water BEFORE packaging?

Maybe that is why the seeds were low priced...Do it yourself disinfection :)
Lacey Rammler
6 years ago
So literally detergent? Like... a clothing detergent?
cindy-6b/7a VA
6 years ago
Probably like Dawn, dish detergent. Make sure it is not anti-microbial.
naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
Original Author
6 years ago
Wow, a blast from the past...over 12 years past. I had forgotten about this seed pack info. Just for the record, I have NOT been washing my spinach seeds or soaking them for the past 12 years and they grow fine.