Argh! It was all going so well!

[rabbit]

I've got lemon drop chillies, yellow hot wenks and some sweet pepper seeds in the electric propagator.

They seemed to be doing really well for the most part. I sowed extra seeds per module for the lemon drop as the packet warned there might be dormant seeds. Those have done really well with 3-4 seeds per module in some cases (zilch in others! Typical).

Anyway, now there is white fungus growing in the soil! I hope it doesn't attack the plants!!! I took the lid off to sort of dry things out a bit but then the soil is drying out and one of the seedlings has keeled over.

I've watered them again and left the lid off but is it just a matter of time before the fungus fells all the seedlings? I'm totally gutted, it's been such a fun project watching them grow with my toddler!

[Jamesy_uk]

I might be wrong myself here but with a propagator I always take the lid off once the seedlings have poked their heads through to prevent just this as its the perfect environment for moulds etc.

P.S

Try lightly scraping off the mould.

[jacob]

Take the lid off as soon as things have germinated! If you leave it on, if you white mould doesn't get 'em something else will.

[kathycam]

Is the soil too moist? maybe less watering. I know I overwatered my seedlings last year and ended up with loads of flies and mould. ugh.

[WendyC]

Sounds like damping off. Good advice on rhs website which I would link to if I could work out how to copy and paste on my phone!

[Thelma Sanders]

I've found a lot of compost gets this white fungus on it, try pricking them out into a different compost.

Use a squirty water bottle to just give them a little at a time.

[Bigmallly]

Rub over the soil with your finger, it soon disappears & try easing off on the water. Hope they survive.

[rustylady]

I agree with the very handsome gorilla above. The worst thing you can do is keep them wet, the compost should be just moist.

[GreenTricky]

I had this last year with my chilli's as they got far to damp when a friend watered them while on holiday, I applied 3% hydrogen peroxide which you can get from the chemist, you want to apply it at 500ppm. It kills mould and also encourages route growth, worked a charm

[Two_Sheds]

Once seeds have germinated, they need the lid to come OFF them. As you've found, it gets too damp and mouldy otherwise.

As to watering: how to water seedlings - YouTube

[rabbit]

Okay so there is hope then!
1. Don't cover
2. Don't over water
3. Maybe hydrogen peroxide if the mould persists
4. If all else fails Try and move them to different compost.


Do they still need to stay in the electric propagator?

[binley100]

Only need that sort of heat to germinate them........then move to slighly cooler conditions ...ine get moved into the kitchen but get covered at night , then into the conservatory . They just need to get acclimatised slowly to cooler conditions.....

[rabbit]

Once seeds have germinated, they need the lid to come OFF them. As you've found, it gets too damp and mouldy otherwise.

As to watering: how to water seedlings - YouTube

That's a great idea in the link. Thanks

Only need that sort of heat to germinate them........then move to slighly cooler conditions ...ine get moved into the kitchen but get covered at night , then into the conservatory . They just need to get acclimatised slowly to cooler conditions.....

Right! Thanks, good to know!