Find out what damping off disease is and how to protect your seedlings from it.
Both vegetable and flowering plants are susceptible to damping off, and infected plants cannot be cured.
Whilecombating plant diseasescan be challenging, there are several ways to prevent damping off in seedlings.
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This guide will walk you through what you oughta know to keep your sprouting seedlings healthy.
What Is Damping Off?
These plant pathogens are common in outdoor gardens, but they can also creep indoors and infect potting mixes.
These growing tips will help you protect indoor and outdoor seedlings from damping off.
Disinfect plant pots and trays.
These supplies can sometimes harbor damping off spores, which can infect new seeds after you sow them.
Use fresh seed-starting mix.
Old potting mixescan sometimes be infected with damping off disease and should never be reused forseed starting.
Instead, use fresh seed-starting mix and steer clear of regular potting mix or garden soil for indoor seeds.
However, adding a small fan to the space can boost air circulation and keep seedlings healthy.
Also, dont forget to remove humidity domes after seedlings sprout.
Overwatering and soggy soil also encourage damping off, but they can be avoided by following proper watering guidelines.
For even better results,water seedling trays from the bottomto keep plant leaves dry.
Use grow lights and a heat mat.
One way to speed up germination is touse grow lightsfor 12 to 16 hours a day.
Experiment with soil amendments.
Studies have found that certain soil amendments, like worm castings andbiochar, can protect seedlings from damping off.
Adding some of these amendments to seed-starting mixes can give your seedlings an advantage.
Overcrowded seedlings can become stressed and are more prone to damping off due to poor air circulation.
Plant outdoor seedlings at the right time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cinnamon has anti-fungal properties and can be used to protect seedlings against damping off.
To apply, sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon powder over the seed-starting mix after planting seeds.
Cutworms typically snip stems off in a sharp line, while damping off causes stems to shrivel.
Yes, fungus gnats can transmit pythium spores, which lead to damping off.
Watering seedlings correctly and using apple cider vinegar traps cancontrol fungus gnatsnaturally.
