Echinacea angustifolia Bleach Treatment for Seeds
Answered by: Conrad Richter
Question from: Daniel de A. Magano
Posted on: March 01, 2005

I really don’t know who to send my question to, so I try all of you. Since it is a very simple one, I am confident it won’t be a hustle... I’m really sorry if it is!

Question is: with the seeds package of E. angustifolia, we bought from you, came a little leaflet with a seeds treatment instruction. There a "Bleach Treatment" and "Bleach" is mentioned. Since I am a pharmacist, and not a agriculturist, I am confused, if this "bleach" is the common chlorine solution used for textiles (and for disinfection), or another product is meant by this name. And just another one: can "vermiculite" be substituted by any other appropriate material?

Common household bleach solution used for textiles is fine for the seeds treatment. Household bleach contains about 5% sodium hypochlorite.

Commercial bleach contains 12-13% sodium hypochlorite and may be used but at 40% of the rate recommended for the seeds treatment.

Vermiculite is an inert mineral product that is used as a soil amendment to help keep soil from packing too hard. Any product with similar properties such as sifted perlite or sifted peat moss may be used in place of vermiculite.

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