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Weekly Garden Thread - January 30-February 5, 2021
January 30, 2021 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

Posted on 01/30/2021 7:09:45 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.

If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.

This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.

It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go - and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to our New & Improved Ping List.

NOTE: This is a once a week Ping List. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: food; garden; gardening; hobbies
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig

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. ;)


81 posted on 02/03/2021 7:45:35 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

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.


82 posted on 02/03/2021 9:11:38 AM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

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.


83 posted on 02/03/2021 11:23:28 AM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig; All

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. :)


84 posted on 02/03/2021 11:41:19 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig

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! ;)


85 posted on 02/03/2021 11:42:11 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: All

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:

https://www.marthastewart.com/274813/seed-starting-101?slide=3028ad1a-c4c9-40d0-bd2f-778b02b79240#3028ad1a-c4c9-40d0-bd2f-778b02b79240


86 posted on 02/03/2021 11:46:10 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Love these vintage seed packets.


87 posted on 02/03/2021 12:51:25 PM PST by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

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.


88 posted on 02/03/2021 1:13:22 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

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.


89 posted on 02/03/2021 1:18:01 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig

“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. :)


90 posted on 02/03/2021 2:12:15 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Yeesh! Good info...thanks


91 posted on 02/03/2021 3:08:59 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig

I know! You try to do something NICE for your plants and mold is the thanks you get, LOL!


92 posted on 02/03/2021 3:10:21 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

There is a joke in there about spouses somewhere


93 posted on 02/03/2021 3:34:30 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: All
Well, Kids, I'll probably be HERE for the foreseeable future, as I sure won't be going anywhere else!

*SHIVER*

94 posted on 02/04/2021 6:13:53 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Liz

I have a bunch of vintage seed packets. I’m waiting for inspiration to strike to use them in some manner. :)


95 posted on 02/04/2021 6:20:32 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

96 posted on 02/04/2021 11:17:32 AM PST by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

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.


97 posted on 02/04/2021 2:56:34 PM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig (To you all, my loyal spell checkers....nothing but prospect and admiral nation.)
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To: Liz

Brilliant! Dollar Tree here I come, LOL!


98 posted on 02/04/2021 3:12:02 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig

You are definitely giving it all you’ve got, Cap’n! :)


99 posted on 02/04/2021 3:13:06 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: greeneyes

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. ;)


100 posted on 02/04/2021 3:16:39 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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