Parsley Disaster

[TracyP]

Can anyone give me help re growing herbs, particulary parsley? I have grown from seed and they are initially successful but then they seem to have a green layer on the soil (in pots) and then flounder. Even my basil, which grows ok indoors, fails in the greenhouse after a while

I have successfully grown veg, but seem to be a disaster with herbs - please help!

[momol]

Did you notice green(ish) layer on top of the herb soil ? I think it is a moss or algae thing (don't know the right term for it), it grow because your soil get continuously damp. The green thing won't harm your herb but the soil seems to be lack of air and thats that harm your herb. Try not to over water it.
When your herb seedlings are still young, try to keep them indoor as the temperature in your green house may be fluctuating too much and get too cold at night, they can't take it.

[TracyP]

Many thanks! They are ok indoors, it is the greenhouse that they flounder although this happened in the summer too. Think I might be guilty of overwatering yes - oops

Thanks again

[rustylady]

Overwatering!! Also parsley is completely hardy so doesn't need to be in a greenhouse.

[Two_Sheds]

Moss/algae = over watering.
Water your plants from the bottom, not the top.

[TracyP]

thanks so much - will pot up tomorrow
Cheers

[Herbie]

Many thanks! They are ok indoors, it is the greenhouse that they flounder although this happened in the summer too. Think I might be guilty of overwatering yes - oops

Thanks again

Hi Tracey

I'm also guilty as charged. I have found the same thing happens to me when I water the plants in the greenhouse. I usually take water from the waterbutt, if I water from tap, I don't get the same result, they seem to be ok. Wonder if its something in the water from the butt.

[srodders]

They say that parsley can only be grown by good men and wicked women - I've got lots of the stuff

[Rocketron]

They say that parsley can only be grown by good men and wicked women - I've got lots of the stuff

Soooo? Which are you ?

[srodders]

Depends whose asking

[Rocketron]

Depends whose asking

Well, I'm a good man who has a wicked woman.

[Glasshousevirgin]

Some simple hygiene measures would seem in order for waterbutts if you ask me. being a nurse one perhaps sees it more clearly but I tend to think that collecting rain water in a butt means you get some contamination unless you are very careful hence algae spores are easily spread to your plants from it.
Therefore the butt needs to be covered and perhaps adding a small amount of bleach when it is full may help reduce the problem. Similarly a watered down solution in all your watering equipment would help. I have recently bought a pump siphon as I realised a similar problem was occurring in my GH because I dont have a tap (using a 100 plastic bin actually) . The aim being to avoid contamination by submerging a watering can in the butt. However if one is collecting off of a roof the spores are everywhere...

[areia]

They say that parsley can only be grown by good men and wicked women - I've got lots of the stuff

i thought it was only the person who wears the trousers in the home can grow parsley but im liking your version

[heebiejeebie]

Some simple hygiene measures would seem in order for waterbutts if you ask me. being a nurse one perhaps sees it more clearly but I tend to think that collecting rain water in a butt means you get some contamination unless you are very careful hence algae spores are easily spread to your plants from it.
Therefore the butt needs to be covered and perhaps adding a small amount of bleach when it is full may help reduce the problem. Similarly a watered down solution in all your watering equipment would help. I have recently bought a pump siphon as I realised a similar problem was occurring in my GH because I dont have a tap (using a 100 plastic bin actually) . The aim being to avoid contamination by submerging a watering can in the butt. However if one is collecting off of a roof the spores are everywhere...

My can of ***** says to add a capful to a full water butt. Would this be enought to kill anything harmful and also dilute enough that the seedlings won't suffer? (No tap on my allotment either!)

[Two_Sheds]

Would you really water your plants with bleach or *****?

I wouldn't. Has anyone actually been harmed by using water from a water butt (obviously you wouldn't drink it). I doubt it. Wash your hands after gardening and there should be no problem with hygiene. (Your chopping board has more bacteria than your toilet seat ... and probably more than your water butt)