Damping off & contamination.

The Cat's Other Mother 4/7/2011, 8:41 am

I had been planning to wait to plant any of my seedlings, but when one of my previously healthy tomato plants suddenly started drooping from what looked like damage to the base of the stem, I figured I'd just go ahead and plant it deep and see if it would develop new roots.

Then, to my horror, I ran across the description of 'damping off' on a different thread, and how it could contaminate soil for years. Have I made an awful mistake and ruined part or all the MM in this box?

elliephant 4/7/2011, 1:51 pm

I hope not, cause I did that with a tomatillo plant. (The tomatillo is doing great, btw)

**camprn** 4/7/2011, 2:04 pm

Damping off is usually a result of a fungus overwhelming the immature plant. There is fungus everywhere. Idealy you want to keep the environmental conditions where it will not promote fungus. The MM will eventually become a soil-less mix with all sorts of micro flora and fauna that will help your garden grow. Don't worry too much about contamination like that. BUT do take care if you ever use pesticides or other chemicals in your MM, I recommend always follow the label instructions...
Damping off info

dizzygardener 4/7/2011, 4:42 pm

I also don't think you should be too concerned. If, however, you start to see more damping off through out your box then I'd probably look into a fungicide.

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