Got a little mold starting on the Black Krim peat pellets, but I read somewhere on this site that a Chamomile tea or weak amonia solution will eliminate that. I had these on top of my refrigerator, but it doesn't put out much heat

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The mold you're seeing on the peat pellets is quite common and is not something that will infect or bother the tomato seedlings. Just scrape it off.

Chamomile tea is used by some to treat the artificial mix before sowing seeds to help prevent the three pathogenic fungi that can cause damping off of seedlings. However I've never seen any data at all that it works, that is, using controls and all.

And I've never known anyone who would use dilute ammonia to treat for anything and I know I'd never use it.

So again, I'd just scrape off the mold on the peat pellets.

And it's one of the reasons I never use peat pellets or peat pots. I much prefer using plastic inserts with individual cells b'c they don't allow for that kind of mold growth unless one keeps them too saturated with water.

At the top of this first page is an excellent FAQ about starting from seed and it has some great information. Just click on the FAQ link and look for that FAQ.

And I'm so glad you're having good luck with raising plants from seed b'c it gives you the freedom to choose whatever varieties you want rather than being limited to what's usually being offered at local big box stores and local nurseries. Of course there are a few places that sell seedlings online, with many choices, but it's so much cheaper and personally satisfying, I think, to raise your own plants if you have the room to do so and have adequate lights,and the motivation etc..

Carolyn

Thank you Carolyn. Today 9 of the 16 Black Krims are up and some about an inch or so. I noticed the Speckled Romans are getting some mold as well, so I'll take your advice and just scrape it off.

After having had to use bleach to remove some mold in our crawl space when building our house (not an ongoing problem) and having used it so much in food preparation for sanitizing, I'd been tempted to put a little on a q-tip and wipe away the mold on the peat pellets. However, the fear of it leaching in to the seedling kept me from trying it.

I have a very, very good nursery where I got plants before at very reasonable prices (almost free) and was never disappointed, but as you said, there's just a great feeling of satisfaction when you can start your own and you can have so many varieties that aren't available locally.

Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge.