Funghi

[Mel]

Hi peeps. I have some pepper and tomato seedlings in a couple of propagators. However, in the past few days I have noticed some funghi growing amongst the seedlings. Does this mean it is too damp in there? If I just remove them and get some air in there will my toms and peppers be okay do you think?

Thanks and sorry if this is a silly newbie question.

[andrewo]

It is too warm in there and you need to uncover them and carefully remove the funghi, the funghi could have already been in the compost and the sporees activated by the humid conditions inside. As long as the funghi is not on the seedlings you're okay.

[Mel]

Thanks Andrew. Should I leave the lids off once I've removed the funghi? The seedlings are all about an inch high now.

[nick the grief]

Some of the compost you buy these days isn't as steralised as it could be. Thats why you got these rougue's in with the toms & peppers. If the propagtor top has vents on it I would open them up and let some aire in but I wouldn't remove it straight away. It would be like you being made to live in the garden tonight

If your unsure about compost in the future, you can always put it in a freezer bag and Microwave it for a couple of minutes. The moisture in there will turn to steam & kill most nasties. Don't leave it in too long though

[Nicos]

what a good idea Nick!
We ofteh have bought compost left over from the previous year (just incase of emergencies!!!) and sometimes it has slug eggs in it....never thought about other nasties! Will cartainly micrwave any old compost in future! What do the soil /biologists say to this??

[Mel]

Thanks Nick. The propogator lid has vents which I've been opening during the day and closing at night. Funnily enough, when I got home last night, most of my little mushroom intruders had collapsed over and died. There wasn't as much condensation on the propagator lids so I think the temperature might be better in there now.

The compost I have used is Horizon organic - perhaps organic compost is more likely to be susceptible to funghi because it doesn't contain chemicals.

[nick the grief]

Mel
No Idea if it's more suseptible or not . If it's a peat free one I would assume it's based on a composted bark or municipal waste. & it may just be that it hasn't reached a high enough temerrature to kill any spores in there.

Nicos
As to microwaving , so long as you only give in a minute or two it should be ok. All you want to do is heat the water up enought to turn it to steam, this will steralise it. If you give it too long the organic matter will burst into flames!

You don't have to use a microwave, you can put it in a biscuit tin (empty of course) & put it in the oven for an hour at gas mk 3 ish it will do the same. don't forget to let it cool down though.

If you micrwave it DON'T STICK YOUR HAND STRAIGHT IN IT WILL BE SCALDING HOT IN THERE