Posted on 01/30/2021 7:09:45 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
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I would take off that top layer of mold if you can, without disturbing the seeds, then put a light layer of finely ground sphagnum moss on top or a sprinkling of the lightest Seed Starting Mix you can find.
What did you use for a seed starting medium in the first place? My guess is that you used a mix that is too heavy and holds too much water, resulting in the mold forming. Also - were your starting pots/flats perfectly CLEAN? As in, did you rinse them all in a water and light bleach solution before you used them, or did ya just grab them out of the stack and plant away? With your uber-moist growing conditions, cleanliness IS next to godliness! ;)
If you need to start over, clean pots and Seed Starting Mix is what’s needed - it’s light and already has the sphagnum as an ingredient which helps fight the moldies. ;)
I used my clean potting mix from inside my greenhouse (fairly dry) with some. 3-4-4 garden tone.
I washed all my pots in the dishwasher on high temp dry or in sink with bleach water.
I will do as you suggest.
It will not be possible to take the top layers off. I am going to use a mini propane torch to burn the growth then getnmy electrical arranged so I can run the heater, dehumidifier, and a small fan all at the same time.
Good that you cleaned your pots...BUT - potting mix is NOT ‘Seed Starting Mix.’ It’s too heavy. :(
Ern and anyone else that cares: FWIW, no sense adding fertilizer to anything you’re initially sprouting. Seedlings don’t take up any nutrition from the soil until the have their first set of adult leaves. The first leaves that come out are Cotyledons, or can be called ‘Seed Leaves.’
That’s the magic of a seed. It has everything in it that the plant needs until it starts to hit the adult phase with adult leaves. :)
P.S. Let us know if you can solve the mold problem with a blowtorch. I’d be interested to see if we could patent your results! ;)
Love her or hate her, Martha Stewart taught me the ‘proper’ way to start vegetable and flower seedlings.
Everything You Need to Know About Seed Starting
Slideshow:
We will see if the Red Green method works. Because my seeds are still weeks away from popping I felt this may work.
I just used the 1 liter propane torch and singed it all off. Worked great except for the the stray cedar slivers in some of my soil that tried to become airborne embers.
I had to run a 2nd extension cord to the greenhouse so I could run the dehumidifier and the heater at the same time.
I am hoping the combination if those two plus another fan running in there will help keep the moisture level down and help beat back any fungus.
I took a beef and after photos which I am emailing you.
Thanks for the advice on seed starting mix. I should have added that I mix in dry cedar mulch from beneath my cedar trees to lighten the mix.
I add the fertilizer because I am taking the plants from larger size pots I start them in (not tiny cell pots) straight into the hole in the garden and I am trying to make the transplanting process a little quicker (some say lazier because I can add the fertilizer while sitting on a home depot bucket if I do it this way as opposed to doing it on my knees at transplant time.
“I mix in dry cedar mulch from beneath my cedar trees to lighten the mix.”
I’ll bet that is where your fungus came from. Every customer I’ve ever had that came in with mold/fungal/mushroom problems on their landscaping mulch had used cedar mulch.
Yes, it’s pretty. Yes, it smells GOOD, but it holds more moisture than other wood mulches and is the perfect growing medium for YUCKY STUFF! ;)
Thanks for the trip down ‘Garden Center Retail Memory Lane,’ LOL! I FINALLY get the MEAT of the story out of you after I talk to you for 30 minutes! ;)
Good Luck and Godspeed. :)
Yeesh! Good info...thanks
I know! You try to do something NICE for your plants and mold is the thanks you get, LOL!
There is a joke in there about spouses somewhere
*SHIVER*
I have a bunch of vintage seed packets. I’m waiting for inspiration to strike to use them in some manner. :)
An update. A smidgen of the white cotton candy like mold is teyingbti return.
I scorched it again with the hand held torch.
I have to dehumidifier in there working overtime and figured out how to set the darn thing properly so the levels are dropping.
I moved heater to the floor so the lower level pots get more direct heat overnite.
I think if I can get the humidity level dow below 65% I can keep this problem at bay.
Brilliant! Dollar Tree here I come, LOL!
You are definitely giving it all you’ve got, Cap’n! :)
I know you’ve probably lain awake at night worrying about my Rosemary plants, but I’ve given them two spray applications of copper and the powdery mildew seems to be abating.
I’ve yet to keep Rosemary alive in the house over winter, but I’m doing better this year than any other year so far!
I think, in all fairness, me and the Rosemary plants would be MUCH happier spending the winter months on the Riviera. ;)
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