Lost Seedlings!!

[splatcat]

Lost a load of seedlings over the weekend...

Bell peppers, which were in the greenhouse (blowaway)

100/1000 tomatoes, and cayanne peppers in the kitchen...

All of them just wilted over and died, im at a loss, ive lost one or two here and there, but not all at once like this.

No signs of mould, not overwatered...

And ive no seeds left of these!!

[King Carrot]

Did you water them using the same water or container - could anything toxic (household cleaner for example) contaminated the water?

[Two_Sheds]

did you use tap or butt water?

[Alison]

The bell peppers in the blowaway will have been far too cold, mine won't be outside for ages yet and we're still getting frost round here and I seem to remember hearing that you had snow at the weekend.

[Incy]

I may be able to help with some replacement seeds if you list the varieties you don't have more of I'm happy to have a look and see if I have any spare.

[rana]

If freshly germinated pepper and tomato seedlings are exposed to cold (below about 40F) for more than a day the stems will bend over as if wilted. If you provide some warmth in time they can recover.

[Jeanied]

It sounds like damping off to me.

[splatcat]

yeah i think it was damping off ttoo, as their stems went really thin at the base.. any idea what may have caused it?

we didnt get snow, we must have been the only area here that didnt though, but yes cold may have done it for the peppers

They were watered from tap water. Not overwatered, i dont think.

its the bell peppers and cayanne peppers i have no seeds left, ive mamnaged to get some tumbling toms, which can replace the 100/1000 toms.

Thanks Guys

[Incy]

If you pm me your address I should be able to send a few seeds to you.

[Jeanied]

Damping off is a tricky one - best to use new compost, sow thinly, never water with anything other than tap water, and you can water with a weak copper fungicide solution - is it Cheshunt or Bordeaux? - and don't keep the seedlings too warm once they have sprouted.

[Alison]

.....and you can water with a weak copper fungicide solution - is it Cheshunt or Bordeaux?

Personally I'd not want to spray my baby seedlings (or to be honest my larger plants) with copper fungicide so it's far better to practice good care so that you don't get the problem in the first place. We all get it wrong sometimes but with time you get it right far more than you get it wrong and I've found that you're much better off underwatering than overwatering

[rana]

It is also a good idea to water with tepid water. I don't think seedlings take kindly to very cold showers.

[jackie j]

In my greenhouse I keep water in plastic bottles that I or my daughter have used and I refill from home, that way the water is warm and clean and has been stood there for a few days. I never water with straight from the tap water.

[VirginVegGrower]

If you pm me your address I should be able to send a few seeds to you.

PM me too - I should have sweet peppers California mixed and chocolate.

[splatcat]

Thanks Guys, it really is appreciated!!