Damping off problem

[LOTTYPOTTY]

I have sown many seeds germinating them in a warm bathroom then transfering them to my conservatory which is also heated. The plants grow to about 2" tall and then start wilting and and end up collapsing completely. This has happened in particular to my cauliflower seedlings but is showing signs on my red cabbage now too.

I have read through my many grow your own books and understand that the seedlings are suffering from 'damping off' and that there are numerous causes. I think that my problem is that the conservatory is too warm and therefore a white fur starts growing around the seedlings. The problem is though I have nowhere to let them grow on that is any cooler and it is too cold for them to go outside - what can I do to avoid losing all the seedling I have grown?

P.S. The compost and pots that they are being raised in are all brand new so shouldn't have any disease in them.

[Kristen]

Too warm in the house (or a heated conservatory) for Brassicas like Caulis & Cabbage. They will germinate, but will have very soft growth which will struggle to support their weight etc.

Dunno if you could put them outside (in a sheltered spot) during the day, but make sure you get the propagator lid / plastic bag / whatever off as soon as they germinate, and then give them some cooler temperatures. Ideally don;t give them warmth to germinate in the first place - they will take longer to germinate, but they will be much more robust.

[LOTTYPOTTY]

Many thanks for your reply. Once they have started wilting can you stop them dying altogether and will they revive themselves if I manage to find a cooler place for them to live? Or should I cut my losses and reset some more seed?

[Two_Sheds]

should I cut my losses and reset some more seed?

Yes, sow some more seed.

Hardy seeds do NOT need to be in warm conditions ... treat em mean

[Potstubsdustbins]

I set my calabrese and Summer Purple PSB on the 7/03 in a cold GH they are all through today so heat is really not a requirement. My cauli's will take a little longer.

Like the lady said treat em mean you'll get much stronger plants.

Colin

[Davyburns]

to stop damping off, grate a garlic clove into a litre of water and simmer for a few minutes, wait till the water cools to lukewarm and thouroughly water the affected plants

[vegetable-gardener]

Also if you soil starts getting hard around each seedling you need to loosen it as this will allow air around it. You could also put them in a sheltered are and place a fleece on top. Just to get them used to it. As otherwise from the warmth to the cold will just kill them very quickly.