Soaking seeds in aspirin before sowing

mousey · February 21, 2017

Has anyone tried soaking tomato seeds in aspirin water before sowing? I read that this boosts the plants' own defense system and even increase yield. Is this effective against verticillium and fusarium wilt?

Thank you!
Rowena

MissS · February 21, 2017

Aspirin is not effective against verticillium and fusarium wilt. Those are caused by pathogens in the soil. You can purchase "resistant" varieties of tomatoes or graft plants onto resistant rootstock for more protection.

I have never tried soaking my seeds in aspirin. I have very good luck starting seeds in the normal fashion. The acid in the aspirin may help somewhat to soften an older seed coat though.

I have heard of people spraying some plants with an aspirin solution in hopes that it will bolster their immune systems, but this has not been proven to be effective.

It seems to me that all of this is an old wives tale that keeps on truck'n...

brownrexx · February 22, 2017

It doesn't make sense to me that putting a solution of any kind on a seed is going to protect the plant that grows from that seed. The plant will grow lots of roots that spread all through the soil that contains the pathogens. The solution that the seed was soaked in will be long gone by that time.

Some seed producers coat their seeds in antifungal solutions but that it to protect the seed from rot while it germinates. This is usually for seeds like peas or corn that are prone to rot in cold soil.

mousey · February 24, 2017

Thank you, both. Looking forward to the growing season!

Worth1 · February 24, 2017

I don't buy into any of this aspirin stuff at all.
Same goes for milk spraying.
Worth

Spartanburg123 · February 24, 2017

Great explanations guys! Happy Growing!!

peppero · February 24, 2017

You might try google because there is some information on the subject. I do soak but cannot say it helps one way or the other.

Jon

KarenO · February 24, 2017

There is some information from credible studies. I don't have any experience with it but I don't dismiss it out of hand without having any real knowledge on the subject. Looks like researching it further in the net is your best bet.
KarenO

February 21, 2017	#1
mousey Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: British Columbia Posts: 6	Soaking seeds in aspirin before sowing Has anyone tried soaking tomato seeds in aspirin water before sowing? I read that this boosts the plants' own defense system and even increase yield. Is this effective against verticillium and fusarium wilt? Thank you! Rowena

February 21, 2017	#2
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,146	Aspirin is not effective against verticillium and fusarium wilt. Those are caused by pathogens in the soil. You can purchase "resistant" varieties of tomatoes or graft plants onto resistant rootstock for more protection. I have never tried soaking my seeds in aspirin. I have very good luck starting seeds in the normal fashion. The acid in the aspirin may help somewhat to soften an older seed coat though. I have heard of people spraying some plants with an aspirin solution in hopes that it will bolster their immune systems, but this has not been proven to be effective. It seems to me that all of this is an old wives tale that keeps on truck'n... __________________ ~ Patti ~

February 22, 2017	#3
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	It doesn't make sense to me that putting a solution of any kind on a seed is going to protect the plant that grows from that seed. The plant will grow lots of roots that spread all through the soil that contains the pathogens. The solution that the seed was soaked in will be long gone by that time. Some seed producers coat their seeds in antifungal solutions but that it to protect the seed from rot while it germinates. This is usually for seeds like peas or corn that are prone to rot in cold soil.

February 24, 2017	#4
mousey Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: British Columbia Posts: 6	Thank you, both. Looking forward to the growing season!

February 24, 2017	#5
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I don't buy into any of this aspirin stuff at all. Same goes for milk spraying. Worth

February 24, 2017	#6
Spartanburg123 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,262	Great explanations guys! Happy Growing!!

February 24, 2017	#7
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	You might try google because there is some information on the subject. I do soak but cannot say it helps one way or the other. Jon

February 24, 2017	#8
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,922	There is some information from credible studies. I don't have any experience with it but I don't dismiss it out of hand without having any real knowledge on the subject. Looks like researching it further in the net is your best bet. KarenO