I don't...for either method, but since I don't have a light setup I generally don't start indoor seeds until just before they can start getting outdoors a bit (with protection).

I never have sterilized my soil and I rarely have damping off. Occasionally I do have it and I sprinkle cinnamon on the soild.

I never sterilize my seed starting mix either, and have never had damping off. I try to keep some air moving in my growing area (keep a fan running most of the time).

I think I'm going to forgo it this time and hope for the best. I still haven't done anything, kind of stuck in neutral.

Karen

If you are using a commercial soilless "seed starting mix" - it come sterile. I would only bother sterilizing if I was reusing a mix.

I don't sterilize anymore.
The commercial seed starter mixes are supposed to be sterile.
Now I am using vermiculite for seed germination.
It does not require sterilization,
and I use clean containers which are not contaminated by soil organisms.
I do keep a spray bottle of dilute hydrogen peroxide, so if any does show up:---
it is spritzed with the peroxide.

mandolls said:If you are using a commercial soilless "seed starting mix" - it come sterile. I would only bother sterilizing if I was reusing a mix.

Once any package is open, it is no longer sterile. Germs and fungus spores can be airborne. Bugs can crawl in... That sterile technique, after 40 years of working in the O.R., is hard to shake.

Karen

I can see how working in an OR is going to make you much more aware of airborne bad guys. But if you sterilize your mix, yourself, don't you then have the same problem as it sits there waiting to be used?

Here is my pile!

No. I only cook what I'm going to use. Next time I'm going to sow I cook a new batch.

Karen

Anne, you're gonna be busy. Let me know how the lisianthus do please. I love them. I got some this year but no yellow.

My second order arrived today...love getting seeds in the mail

Cosmos atrosanguineus
Verbena hastata pink
Impatiens glandulifera
Tanacetum niveum
Schizanthus porrigens

I have to look those up though, they sound interesting.

I finally sowed a few begonias today, without sterilizing the soil. Fingers crossed. I also sowed some of my own harvested echinacea Salsa Red. I did those in plain vermiculite. I've had good results doing echs that way for the past couple of years. At least it's a start.

Karen

Will Salsa Red come true? I just got two plants last fall. If so I will definitely be saving seeds this year! I think your begonias will do just fine! See, once you get started, it gets easier. Sometimes just hard to get started.

I grew Sombrero Salsa Red last year, supposedly it does not make seed and is sterile, but you could divide it.

They're a hybrid, so could turn out to be any color. I collected seeds from mine. Didn't test them, so I don't know if they'll sprout, but they looked good. (i.e. I've searched for seeds on some doubles, and they looked like flat paper instead of seeds. These looked like any other echinacea seeds- "monster teeth")

Karen

Oh, I can deal with any color. I like surprises!

I used to sterilize soil for seeds, and now I only sterilize for teeny tiny seeds like gesneriads. So Karen, I guess my vote is for a Hail Mary. If I'm planting seeds that are hard to germinate, maybe throw in an Our Father. ;)

We had a house fire and I'm not optimistic about some of my house plants, my plant stands and dormant plants were drenched when the water went through the floors into the basement. Others were just chilled when I had no gas for three days, so when I can go back in the house, I'll sort all of that out and get plant stands ready to start seeds. I may try to winter sow a couple of flats here at the rental house and just leave them outside in the plant stand where I keep my WS seeds. I don't anticipate being in the rental long enough for them to sprout and need babysitting.

My seed orders:
JL Hudson: WS most of this, except the basil and maybe the asparagus, not sure about how to start that, yet.
Achillea nana
Asparagus verticillatus
Calamintha grandiflora
Nolana humifusa
Basil "Green Pepper"
Papaver dubium
Papaver Black Peony
Papaver Danebrog
Papaver Florist Pod
Papaver Lauren's Grape
Polygonum orientale variegatum (I am pretty sure this will reseed again but only 2 popped up last year and I want to make sure I have a few)
Symphyandra pendula
Symphyandra zanzegur

Sample Seeds:
Marigold Tangerine Gem
Anise
Welsh red bunching onion (these are so fantastic, try them!)
Petunia Sparklers
Petunia exserta
Anthriscus "Ravenswing"
Sedum forsterianum 'Oracle'
Sedum glaucophyllum
Viola odorata Queen Charlotte
Pepper "Fish"
Pepper "Jigsaw"
Pepper "Thai Hot"
Tomato Stump of the World-new to me, Remy liked it
Tomato Yellow Currant
Painted Lady runner bean
Ipomopsis rubra-hope this is the hummingbird magnet it's billed to be

Plant World:
Alcea ficifolia alba
Alcea ficifolia Maroon Frills
Aquilegia Fragrant Fantasy
Aquilegia Perfumed Garden
Cerinthe Yellow Gem
Commelina coelestis "Hopley's Variegated"
Geranium Gold Leaf
Geranium Claridge Druce--love this geranium!
Impatiens glandulifera Red Wine
Impatiens glandulifera White Faces
Lathyrus niger
Lathyrus vernus
Lavatera arborea variegata
Lychnis coronaria "Hutchinson's Cream"
Tinantia erecta
Adlumia fungosa (hope this germinates, I hear it's hard)

Diane's
Papaver atlanticum Flore Pleno
Papaver Drama Queen
Papaver Pink Fizz
Nicotiana alata Fragrant Cloud
Orlaya grandiflora-just in case mine doesn't reseed

I need to order a couple of things from Center of the Web, she has Coccinia indica, which is super hard to find.

Anyone germinated Asparagus verticillatus before?

Wow Celene! Sorry to hear about the fire. I hope all is on the road to recovery.

That's a lot of seeds too! Exciting. Sorry I can't help you out on the Asparagus verticillatus.

Happy sowing!