When gardening, it’s an unavoidable fact that you will have successes as well as failures. Failures can be caused by an outside force you have no control over (cat digging up your seedlings, a tray of tiny green shoots getting knocked off the table by accident, etc.), but it can also be caused by things you do have control over. Overwatering, under watering, not enough light, and more. These mistakes are very common, and not something to feel bad about!
This is a sign of damping-off disease (fungus organisms that attack seeds and young seedlings, ultimately killing them). Some causes of damping-off are:
We know that there is no proof to back this up but have you thought about playing some of Pinetree's certified Spotify playlists to help the seedlings grow?
Here’s a short message of encouragement from our master gardener, Jaci:
“As a gardener, I know how it can be discouraging it can be when some seedlings fail or don’t look perfect. Try not to dwell on it too long; just take the opportunity to gain some knowledge on the possible underlying causes so you can be successful in the seasons ahead. I have been gardening for nearly 20 years, and each year still brings new learning experiences for me.”
My seeds did great and are already producing, won’t be long before we have to freeze and can, thanks for the article….
This was helpful in that I believe I need to fertilize, going by the suggestions. I see the person writing this has been gardening for 20 years. That’s commendable! I have been gardening for 45 years—-still learning! I used to be able to start my seeds in my growing medium and not worry, not any more. The new mediums out there just don’t have the nutrients my old one did. At least that’s how it seems to me. Thanks for the article. It was helpful.
At first sign of damping off, water from top with chamomile even if they don’t need water, drain well and do not rewater til soil is on the dry side. Has worked for me to save most of the damping off seedlings!
I start all my seeds in pure compost from my piles, screened through 1/4” hardware cloth, with a sprinkle of bone meal mixed in. If snow melt here in Vermont is late and even raised beds are too wet to work, they get weekly fish emulsion to keep them vigorously growing, or even potting up for those that like warm soil. So I take care not to start seed too early since younger vigorous transplants do better than older root-bound ones.
No need to buy that expensive sterile nutrient-less starting mix that dries out so fast if you have compost that stays so nicely moist and is forgiving if neglected for a day or three. I bring in several 5 gallon buckets full each fall and store in cool cellar with an old dinner plate on top so it has a bit of air around the edges and stays damp but not moldy. The worms (and no doubt the beneficial bacteria and fungi) are still living when I start my seeds in spring. I put the worms in kitchen compost and dump them into the outdoor pile.
Only had damping off 2 years out of almost 30 here, and the chamomile tea did the trick for most of the seedlings.
Potting soil also causes little flying bugs similar to fruit flys
Excited about gardening this year!
The only time you water from the top is when you water the seeds in initially. From then on, whether seeds have sprouted or not, water from the bottom to draw the roots down and create strong root systems It’s time to water when you lift a pot or six-pack and the tray beneath it is no longer damp. Add only enough water to fill the tray about 1/4 inch.
Thanks, great information. Love the music!
Thanks for the info. Just in time. Also love you choice of music! But really thank you for the information.
To deter mice and birds I sprinkle chili powder or cayenne pepper on the flats. Doesn’t seem to affect the plants. But does help if your seedlings are getting g eaten.
What a great article to read on this February morning in Minnesota! Will be starting seeds when we get back from a week in Florida. No new information for me but lots of good reminders. I LOVED the Spotify playlist, you guys rock!
My favorite watering tool for starting seeds is a kitchen baster. It lets you put the water exactly where you want it (on the soil, not the seedlings) and you can control the pressure to apply the water very gently so seedlings aren’t knocked over and soil and seeds aren’t washed out of place.
I start tomato seedlings by planting the seeds in small pots,moistening the soil well,covering with plastic wrap, and putting on top of the refrigerator. The heat from the refrigerator makes the seeds germinate quickly, and I then move them to a sunny window.
Very helpful tips! Thanks for this article.
This is an excellent article. In my 40 plus years of gardening, I have experienced just about every problem you mention. I have found that the use of heat mats is critical for the proper germination of some heat loving plants. Always consult the optimal germination temperature range for the vegetable or flower to be germinated. Using a 20 row seeder with a humidity dome as you have pictured can optimize the space on a heat mat, but be careful that you don’t mix seeds that require different germination temperatures or germination times, because the humidity dome needs to come off once you see the seeds start to germinate.
Cinnamon sprinkled on the soil around seedlings can prevent damping off (plant rotting at soil level).
As always, you wonderful folks hatch such good stuff. This straightforward list, the hints, and very helpful pics in all compress a lot of instruction into a nearly Spartan space. This is a good presentation for even veteran gardeners, well beyond novices, being at the least alerts as to how problems may occur and how to remedy those that may present themselves. Thanks as always to you!
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Jewel
July 17, 2020
I had those little gnats this year. It’s bad news if you have them! They lay eggs and the larva are in the soil and eat the roots. I had 6 inch plants that should have had a large root system hardly had anything. I tried treating the soil and plants (above the soil) with non toxic dish soap suds, and even watering the plants with the soapy water, then flushing out the soap after 15 minutes or so. It seemed to really take care of the problem.