damp fungal seed soil

[jdlondon]

I've searched for this but I'm not finding anything, so I thought I'd just ask -

There's this light fluffy white stuff on a couple of my seed pots, and I'm guessing this is a fungal thing from a too-damp soil. My instinct was to dry it out, but then it says don't dry your seeds out or it'll stop germination.

So I put a thin layer of coir compost on top, I don't really know why, maybe to act like like some sucking-up-damp facilitator?

Advice on how to solve my too-damp and possibly fungal soil would be so welcome, thank you

[Two_Sheds]

seed pots?

[Thelma Sanders]

Water the pots of seeds from the bottom, hopefully the top will dry out a bit.

I had the white stuff on some of my compost last year - I can't remember loosing any seedlings because of it, so I wouldn't worry too much.

[jdlondon]

seed pots?

I just meant any container I'm using as a seed tray.

Water the pots of seeds from the bottom, hopefully the top will dry out a bit...

I'll try that, but at the moment, so damp that it'll take a while before it needs water again. I think I made a mistake - I thought instead of watering after sowing, I'd use wet compost, and I think the cold weather just made it worse.

Good to know the seeds can survive The Fluff though, thanks

[veggiechicken]

Have your seeds germinated? If not, perhaps you could scrape off the top bit with the seeds in and replace it onto new drier compost. Just a thought!!!

[Jeanied]

Hmm - where are you keeping this seed tray? Just wondering if it isn't frost. One of our allotment holders put up one of those tent cloches on his plot in a shady part - and wondered what this white mould was - it was small frost crystals.

[veggiechicken]

I have white fluffy stuff!! on the cardboard punnets that I have some seeds in. The cardboard is too wet and has a whilte mould around the base. I'm just going to leave it and hope for the best.
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[jdlondon]

Have your seeds germinated? If not, perhaps you could scrape off the top bit with the seeds in and replace it onto new drier compost. Just a thought!!!

I'm having one of those 'why didn't I think of that?' moments! = thanks, will do just so.

it was small frost crystals.

It's all been inside, trying to keep them around 15C at least, although it's been cooler of late because of the snow - still, not cold enough inside for ice. I don't think. Still, to be safe, I'll take them all with me into the bedroom overnight until the really cold blast has passed.

[Two_Sheds]

I just meant any container I'm using as a seed tray.

Ah, I wasn't sure if you meant seed potatoes. This might help: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ost_52265.html

...so damp that it'll take a while before it needs water again.

Yes, too wet. Much too wet. Have you seen this? >>> how to water seedlings - YouTube

[jdlondon]

....
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Two Sheds: ...This might help: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ost_52265.html

Thanks. Good to know it's quite natural and not some new biological weapon I'd inadvertantly loosed into the world

Much too wet. Have you seen this? >>> how to water seedlings - YouTube

That's wonderful. At first I worried the nutrients would be lost when it drained off, but then if you reuse the big tray that can handle all those seed pots like she does, it all gets reused.

I've been using cans, plastic takeout trays, egg trays etc, but it looks like drainage and all is better if I get myself some proper seed trays. Not like it's going to break the bank *g* - but I did like the thought of using what was usually binned.

[zazen999]

That's wonderful. At first I worried the nutrients would be lost when it drained off, but then if you reuse the big tray that can handle all those seed pots like she does, it all gets reused.

I've been using cans, plastic takeout trays, egg trays etc, but it looks like drainage and all is better if I get myself some proper seed trays. Not like it's going to break the bank *g* - but I did like the thought of using what was usually binned.

She = Two_sheds herself.

Although people do use stuff that would normally be recycled; I find it's a false economy as the drainage is never right and you lose your money on the seeds that die.

[jdlondon]

She = Two_sheds herself.

Although people do use stuff that would normally be recycled; I find it's a false economy as the drainage is never right and you lose your money on the seeds that die.

Nice hands, Two_Sheds

False economy - I'm thinking you're right. And I'm finding it amazingly hurtful and feel so guilty when seeds/seedlings don't make it.

[snohare]

It's a bit late, but apparently one of the ways organic farmers in the States avoid damping off in germinating seedlings is to water them with camomile tea - leave a teabag in a bucket until the water is amber, and it will contain a natural fungicide.

[jdlondon]

It's so interesting how gardeners come up with all these things! Will definitely hunt down some chamomile and try that, thanks