starting plants from seeds
Hello
This is my 1st post.
I am starting some plants this year and I noticed on top of the soil, looks like mildew or something. It's light brown and almost looks like cobwebs. I started the seeds on Feb. 20th. They are in 2 inch pots.
Can you help me?
Bill
Views: 20
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by kctomato on -
I realize Im a little late
most of the time this isnt a problem. it just means things are a little too moist on the surface.
in some cases it could be another problem but if you arent seeing seedlings literally keeling over it probably isnt that fungus (damping off).
Just try to get some air circulation and reduce watering. Try not to water several hours before it gets dark. Water when they first get light.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Phelps on -
Thanks. I know what your saying amd I tried to reduce my watering but the top portion of soil became too dry for the seeds to sprout. Anyways, I will try it again. Just thought of something: What about putting a cover atop the pots. Will this have an effect you think?
Trial and error I guess. I love this site being able to talk to others.
Thanks again
Bill
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Permalink Reply by Claude Rhone on -
"What about putting a cover atop the pots."
Yes
I use a flat with a humidity dome, and a heat mat under the flat.
My tomatoes come up in about 4 days, lettuce a week.
Peppers take longer. Over watering can be a problem. - Attachments:
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DSC02144.JPG, 58 KB
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Permalink Reply by tony hopkins on -
the plants in the picture are way streched out try 4' flouresants about 3" away
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Clark on
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Bill, I'm pretty new to this, too, and this is my first post also. I've found that using new or sterilized seed starting mix (really important) works best, planting seeds in the mix at the right depth, keeping them moist (sprinkling) but not soaked, covering them, then placing them in a warm place til the seeds sprout. A warm place can be just near a heater vent in your house.
I tend to overwater :( so if the containers start looking too wet, I turn a small fan on nearby on low to get some air circulation.
Have lots of seedlings this year. Waiting for some sun to dry the garden out so I can plant!
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Permalink Reply by Bill Phelps on
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Nancy
Thanks for the reply. I thought, how hard can it be to start some plants. Well, its been harder than I thought. My pepper stems are so small the plant is bending over. Looks like the stems are too, skinny I mean/ I am from Ohio u?
Thanks again
Bill
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Clark on
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From what I read, skinny stems mean the plants aren't getting enough light. My seedlings are under fluorescent lights in the basement, with the lights no more than 3" above them. From Kansas.
Nancy
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Permalink Reply by Bill Phelps on
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That's what I do not understand. I have a light about 2 inches above. There also on a heating mat. Do you only have a grow light on? Wonder about having the room light on also?
I was just downstairs and the little stems are bent over sideways. I just don't understand it. Maybe i'm doing something wrong. Anyway, you have a nice week!
Bill
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Clark on
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No grow lights here, just fluorescent but they are on 14-16 hrs/day. How long ago did you start the seeds? Do you have true leaves yet? I'm new, too, remember, so we learn together. I have collard greens, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, and spinach coming up but our soil is too wet to plant so I'm just hoping the seedlings will hang in there a bit longer til it dries up enough to plant. Two inches + of snow today. Yuk.
I've read that you can plant seedlings up to the leaves, put the stems down into the ground, and that will work, plants will be strong eventually and do well.
If stems are bent (some of mine are, too), they are probably bending toward the light?
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Permalink Reply by Bill Phelps on
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I started the peppers on Feb 11 and some on the 22. No leaves yet, just skinny stems!
I think we had our last snow of the year, I hope. Had a total of about 23". More than usual for Cincinnati.
I have heard that about planting up to leaves too. I do that with my tomatoes, put them out on Mothers Day usually.
Yes, the stems are bent to the light. I turned on other lighting downstairs along with the light over the skinny guys. Really appreciate your comments.
Oh yea, have you noticed all the people on here from Kansas? Looked like an awful lot to me. Take care.
Bill
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Clark on
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Yeah, Bill, this website is from KS City; that's why so many Kansans! Hopefully our last few days of snow were our last of the year, too. It's melting fast. Whew.
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Permalink Reply by tony hopkins on
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hoop house
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