Is the mold on the surface of the soil, or is it actually on the plants themselves? I've had mold appear in a few containers before but it never actually hurt the seedlings and it didn't spread to other pots or flats. As soon as the weather warmed enough to put them in the greenhouse the condition cleared.

I haven't ever had to treat mold so I can't comment on how well peroxide/No-Damp might work.

I wonder if your growing medium was contaminated with mold spores before you sowed/transplanted your seedlings. I've had weed seedlings, ferns, and mosses appear on the surface of pots, despite the product stating that it is sterilized. In that case the problem will probably continue regardless of what you do since the entire medium may be full of spores. Cultivating the soil will simply bring new spores to the surface.

If your seedlings are strong enough to be transplanted (I know it's a lot of work to do it yet again), you could heat sterilize your potting mix in either the microwave or oven, let it cool, wash your seedlings off with the peroxide solution, and pot them up in the hopefully mold free mix. If you think they wouldn't withstand the stress, you might try putting a 1/2" thick layer of pea gravel on top of the soil over the mold in hopes that it would prevent the spores from splashing up on the undersurface of the plant leaves and infecting them. Also, it might be a good idea to water by setting the plants in a tray of water and letting them uptake from underneath as opposed to watering them from above.

I hope you find something that works for you.

Kate

Hi ottawapepper,

You don't mention what color this mold is. Is it a white fuzzy type mold? If so, your seedlings are most likely to wet or the area is to humid, keep a fan on 24/7 and try to get them to dry out a bit but don't parch them to death. Also, if you have enough room try to have some space around the cups so they are not all cramped together to close-so air can move around them. I doubt the fan is blowing around the mold spores.

I don't think it is a good idea to keep stirring the mold deeper into the soil. If at all possible try to scrap it off and dispose of it properly.

You could also try using a fungicide. Mix it up in a spray bottle and spray your seedlings, outside the cups and all. I realize this may dampen the soil but don't drench them in it as a little goes a long ways-just keep that air flow going. If you don't want to use chemicals try misting with a weak tea solution-any type of bag tea will work but don't add any sugar or lemon. ;-)

I really hope you can get a grip on this problem even if you did plant to many. It would be a shame to loose them all now. Best of luck and keep us posted. I've got my fingers crossed for ya!

Cindi

Hi Kate and Cindi,

Thank you both for your help!

Kate, I think you may be right about contaminated grow medium. Fresh store bought stuff but thatÂs no guarantee of a sterile product I guess. IÂm about six weeks away from moving the plants outside so IÂm in need a short term solution. IÂve already lost half a dozen seedlings to dampening off.

As my subject says, IÂm desperate, so I think IÂll take your advice and re-pot the bunch.

Cindi, youÂre right, I should have added that IÂm dealing with both white fuzz and green blotchy molds. Lucky me, I have two varieties.

As suggested, IÂll give them a drink but in moderation. The fan is on 24/7 now (so much for the $20 timer LOL). I understand and like your suggestion to spread them apart a bit but I really donÂt have room. I really did go overboard this year. I may have to cull a few of the herd in the end if I can get this under control.

So based upon the kind feedback from both of you, I think IÂll try to get some time off work this week to sterilize fresh medium, re-pot and selectively thin the herd. I did pick up some No-Damp today. I says to use it as a preventative measure so I am reluctantly going to use a chemical treatment on my re-potted plants.

Thanks again for your advice. Hopefully one day I can offer both of you some assistance.

Best regards,

Bill

With the type of mold and fugus you describe I am inclined to believe the whole problem was caused by overwatering and/or high humidity. The green algea won't hurt anything but it will compete with the seedlings for nutrients. The seedlings are young enough they don't need that kind of competition. I have never used damp-off personally but my DIL has and with good results.

I still recommend keeping the fan going until you can get the moisture under control as it will not only help to build stronger stems but dry things out a bit.

Spray everything down with the damp-off, keep the fan going 24/7 for 3 or 4 days. After that time period you should be seeing a much improved environment around your seedlings and less growth of the mold/algea.

Unless the roots are growing out of the pots I would not recommend repotting as it may be more work than what is needed at this point.

I believe getting the moisture under control will help tremendously.

Once things begin to dry out you won't need to leave the fan on for 24/7, this may only take a few days. Then you can go back to using your timer. =)

Best of Luck Bill!
Cindi

I use peat pellets (yes, I know, most people think these are crap!), and they ALWAYS get completely covered with the green mold. They look discusting and if I focus on it too much I get grossed out, but my point is that it has never hurt any of my seedlings. I have over 300 plants started and they are all doing fine.

When I transplant the pellets into styrofoam cups or other containers, I try to scrap off as much of the mold as I can without affecting the seedling and roots. Out of about 100+ I have already transplanted this year, I lost only 1. I wouldn't fret too much about the mold unless you see it's hurting your seedlings.

Good luck

Deb

You probably didn't put enough drainage in the styrofoam cups. Next time, make some holes up the sides as well as a few more in the bottom.

I am a proponent of the 10% bleach solution for things like this, although the peroxide is known for getting more air to the roots, which is good. If you spray bleach, wear old clothes. LOL!

Lime

Cindi, Deb, Lime,

Thanks for the additional follow-ups.

Yes, I probably gave them too much water without enough drainage.

The peroxide solution seems to be helping but my seedlings still are not looking great. IÂve lost a few to what I think is dampening off (elongated stem and flopping over). I think I may in fact have an additional problem. The following images do not look like any photos of dampening off that IÂve seen in my research. The first two are of a Brandywine Tomato. Notice the light coloured bumps on the stem and lighter colour area towards the bottom half of the stem (will not rub off like mold). The third image is of a California Wonder Pepper that developed the same problem about 10 days ago. ItÂs now flopped over and has a scale on the stem?

Is this a type of dampening off or do I have a new issue to contend with?

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Bill

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Hello all,

Yet another desperate mold question-asker. Yesterday, I noticed redish discoloration on the perlite of one of the trays of seed starter mix. This particular tray has had a high rate of seedling mortality (either not growing or flopping over). Is this damping off? I pulled some of the flopped-over seedlings (tomatillo and cauliflower), but there's none of the black-brownish discoloration I've been reading about for damping-off. Some did have stem constriction around the root line, but some didn't, which is why I was confused.

Panicked, I sprayed everything with 3% peroxide and sprinkled cinnamon liberally on the affected and unaffected flats. I tossed the seed starter mix in the packs that didn't grow and soaked it in 10% chlorine for 30 mins along with the bottom tray. I already had fans going for several hours/day, but I turned them on 24/7 now. Is there anything else that can save the affected flat or are all the plants goners? Anything else for prophylaxis?

Thanks!

Hi yeti00,

If you note the last photo above, there is also a brownish redish discolouration on the perlite.

I chalk it up to dead green mold. Maybe you got it in time, I really don't know. Hopefully someone can educate both of us.

Good luck... I'm still fighting the stuff. I'm winning thought!

Bill