Aussie Finch Forum

I've got the same problem as Deb, was all ready to sprout and freeze a batch this weekend,have been to 2 chemists and the only Chlohexadine they both have is the foaming hand cleanser (at $20 a bottle).

Best my chemist could do , not without trying though , he was very helpful just couldnt source a non foaming one and he himslef thought the foaming agent may make the seeds a bit slimy .

Yea I agree, but will try one more chemist...have a really big one reasonably close, but guess you probably don't have as many options in a country town Deb. The 2 over here were just labelled as Chlohexadine 4%...not multiclens.

isnt aviclens the same stuff as multiclens they both can be used to soak seed. aviclens is what i use......pete

What does it say the active ingredient is Pete and where did you buy it?

will have a look tomorrow as its out in the shed. i bought it from either city farmers or bird and fish place.....

If you can't get Vircon S then just use normal Bleach and wash the seed several times.
If you are trying to bud it then it should take only 2 days if done properly.
It should be a little dry looking not swimming in water. If it dryish then you can freeze it.
Personally I would just soak the seed for no more than 3 hours, rinse it well,drain it and then freeze it
Once frozen you shouldn't have any yeast build up or other nasties.
With Lab. tests on the various so called clensers there were yeast blooms in under 4 days without freezing,
yet Virkon S kept all at bay for 9 days
All we do is half a plastic bucket full of seed,fill the bucket to near the top with water and half a tea spoon of Virkon S
after 2 to 3 hours tip the lot into another bucket which has alot of small holes drilled in it.
After draining for 4 or 5 hours it is simply put in lidded plastic boxes and put into a freezer.
We don't even rinse it.Thats how easy it is

The Multi Clens I use I got from the local bird place and I think it was $15.50

50g packet of Virkon S, $13 from Lentra Direct. Fool proof thats why I can use it without Fatality's

Going through a book about hand rearing it mentioned hygeine when soaking seed and had a picture of a bottle of avicleans with the soaked seed but bugger me nothing written about its use , think it hinted that avicleans was the go for disimfecting seed for soaking.