Fuzz growing on my seedlings

gibbyx 2/29/2012, 7:28 pm

Not for sure where to post this so chose here.

I started seeds in vermiculite, transferred them to my mels mix and put them under a grow light. Most of the seeds are doing great, but my lettuce and swiss chard started wilting about a day or so later. I put a clear container over my pan for the green house effect and looked at it today after about 3 days and the dirt is covered with fuzz/mold/hairy looking stuff.

Where did I go wrong here. Thanks

curio 2/29/2012, 7:40 pm

It's usually a good idea to remove seedlings from under the hot cap once they're sprouted. Just keep their soil damp and put them within 4" of a good light for best results.
It sounds like they might have developed a fungus (possibly due to too much humidity).

littlejo 2/29/2012, 7:42 pm

Any soil (even MM ) should be sterilized, to prevent damping off. Mine was steril and still got some mold growing. Probably still to damp under the cover. I mixed some peroxide and water and put in a spray bottle, and sprayed the plants and the soil, had to do it a couple times. My seedlings are doing fine and the mold went away. Don't think this is in the book! Someone else may have a better idea. Jo

**Furbalsmom** 3/1/2012, 3:23 pm

Most of the seeds are doing great, but my lettuce and swiss chard started wilting about a day or so later. I put a clear container over my pan for the green house effect and looked at it today after about 3 days and the dirt is covered with fuzz/mold/hairy looking stuff.

I agree with curio, that once the seedlings have germinated, you need to remove the cover. Too much humidity can cause fungus and damping off.

Littlejo suggested a weak peroxide mixture to spray on mold or fungus. I have heard of, but not personally used, a peroxide mixture to control mold or fungus that has already developed.

Here is a link for information regarding use of HYDROGEN PEROXIDE in the garden. As said before, I have not used it so have no personal experience as to how safe or effective it is.

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Fuzz growing on my seedlings

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