This article is going to help us to know how soaking seeds in hydrogen peroxide can improve germination but first let us see what we are going to learn and achieve after reading.
Wha are we going to learn:
- What is Hydrogen Peroxide
- How does hydrogen peroxide affect seed germination
- How to use hydrogen peroxide
- Reason why seeds fails to germinate
- How to break down those barrier
Now that we have seen what we are going to learn and achieved then it’s time for us to start work.
let now start….
WHAT IS HYDROGEN PEROXIDE?
Hydrogen peroxide (H2 and 2) is very popular in horticulture. It contains more oxygen atoms (H2O) than water. When its molecule breaks down, this extra oxygen separates from the water and acts as a plant supplement. This helps the seeds to germinate successfully by absorbing more oxygen.
HOW DOES HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AFFECT SEED GERMINATION
Soak your seeds in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes. Rinse the seeds a few times in water before planting and plant as usual. This breaks down the hard outer shell of the seed and kills any germs present in them. This allows the seeds to absorb more oxygen, which helps them germinate more efficiently.

Starting a plant from seed, though economical, can feel like cutting a roulette wheel. Some seeds germinate, others do not. For this reason, home gardeners are always looking for ways to increase the germination rate.
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Home methods include stratification (seed cooling), mechanical scarification (pulling the seed coat with a pin or sharp knife), and chemical scraping, which involves soaking, washing, or spraying in water. The solution of water or water and hydrogen peroxide.
HOW TO USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
- Take a paper towel and moisten it with a hydrogen peroxide solution. Make sure you don’t wet the towel.
- Put your seeds in a towel and wrap them thoroughly for 18-24 hours.
- Plant your seeds in pots the next day.
Using hydrogen peroxide will reduce the germination time of seeds of corn, peas, cucumbers, melons, sunflowers, squash etc. Seeds Also, if you are growing peppers, eggplants, spring flowers and celery; It takes a lot of time!
REASON WHY SEEDS FAIL TO GERMINATE
If you want to germinate seeds successfully, you need to consider factors other than water and soil. Seeds contain nutrients and they need a significant amount of oxygen to successfully convert them into energy. As seeds, when you plant it, absorb oxygen with their outer covering, it is necessary that they can do it well.

As the seeds mature, their outer shell hardens over time, causing them to absorb and reduce oxygen levels. To assist them in the process, you can use hydrogen peroxide to soften the outer layer.
THE SEEDS NEED TO BREATHE
A seed needs light, water and oxygen to germinate. Most gardeners remember the light and water part of the germination equation but ignore the need for oxygen seeds.
Especially hard-coated old seeds and seeds are particularly sensitive to the lack of ability to absorb oxygen. This has a negative effect on their germination rate and the success of your garden.
HOW TO BREAK DOWN THOSE BARRIERS
Recent scientific studies confirm the effectiveness of chemical deficiency of seeds soaked in hydrogen peroxide and water solution. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down the seed coat and increases the germination rate so that the seeds can absorb more oxygen.
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In a study published in the journal HeartScience, mature corn seeds (Zia Mycenae L) were treated with a 15 per cent hydrogen peroxide solution that germinated at significantly higher percentages (about 95 per cent) than seeds treated with aerated water. rate 67 per cent).
Also, the rate of oxygen uptake of seeds soaked for 24 hours in hydrogen peroxide solution was twice that of seeds soaked in aerated water at the same time.
BETTER CHANCE OF GERMINATION
A similar study compared the stratification efficacy using seeds of Oriental gammagrass (Trypsacumdactivoids) and soaking with hydrogen peroxide.
As published in “Acta Harticulturai”, horticultural science related to international horticulture was more effective in breaking the dormancy of seeds soaked in 15 per cent hydrogen peroxide solution and inducing germination.
Gumgrass grows between 8 and 11 in the plant hardiness zone of the Department of Agriculture in the United States
HOW TO HELP YOUR SEED BREATHE
It is easy to improve your germination rates at home by using hydrogen peroxide in your pre-planting routine. Just add 1 ounce of 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide to 1 pint of water; Choose one of the following three methods.
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- First, soak your seeds for 18-24 hours, wash and plant.
- Second, place your seeds on a long paper towel, use a fogger filled with hydrogen peroxide-water to soak the towel and the seeds well (but do not soak), then roll the towels loosely or fold them. These are simply to keep in touch with damp paper towels around the seeds.
- Cover them lightly every day (or dry them with a towel) and apply them when the shoots come out. Third, simply wash your seeds with the solution, then plant.
Source: balconygardenweb