White mold

[Brengirl]

The surface of the compost for the early growing experiment (new seedlings) is being covered with white mold. I goggled it and it says it is very hard to get rid of and to change the soil asp. The seedlings appear OK. The compost I used was a new bag of Levingtons so maybe this was contaminated. What shall I do?

[Bigmallly]

I often get it but put it down to overwatering.

[Brengirl]

I have tried to be sparing with the water but I think you may well be right. I have been watering from underneath and have probably put too much in. I will lift the pots out and put over a radiator for a while. Those in the closed heated prop are fine - same compost. Thanks for the boost to confidence.

[Bigmallly]

I slipped up with my heated prop. I had them on the kitchen sill & they were doing great as I could keep my eye on them. Mrs BM wanted her sill back so I put the prop in the greenhouse plugged in but left them for a couple of day which dried the soil out killing the seedlings............... so watch you don't dry them too much. Have now got my sill back.......

[Brengirl]

Silly you

[Bigmallly]

What do you expect.........I'm a man.......

[Brengirl]

Blessed is she who expecteth nothing because she will not be disappointed.

[sauzee]

I have had exactly the same problem with multi-purpose compost from B&Q.I only watered all my seedlings once covered them with cling film and there is mould in most of them.There is very little germination of the seeds in four weeks.Do you think the seeds have became diseased and died

[chriscross1966]

I'm having the same problem with both Wickes and B+Qcompost this year. |I seem to be getting OK germination, though an early batch of onions wasn't good and I'm pretty certain it's not overwatering. I put a layer of sand in my propagators and only water that, and only when it is dry.... Plants seem ok and rather more importantly the mould doesn't appear affected by Cheshunt compound, which most seedling problems are, I haven't noticed a damping off problem,

chrisc

[tigress60]

vermiculite is the answer and keep em covered its an airbourne mould so spreads from one to the other
hope this helps

[Paulottie]

Use tap water for germination and early growth. (never water butt)
Water from the bottom before I sow and sieve over with dry compost.
Cheap high wood content multi purpose compost doesn't help....a soil based John Innes type is preferable but at the least a quality LOW NUTRIENT seed mix.
Keep your equipment clean.

Pot on the seedlings into fresh they should be fine.

[zazen999]

Don't overwater and make sure they are getting plenty of air.

I popped all my toms and peppers into the greenhouse during the day now to let them have a change of atmosphere and get some fresh air. They come in after sundown....

Water into the saucer/tray etc and any left after 20 mins, tip away. They shouldn't need watering more than once a week at the moment...if that.