Ok. I planted my tomato and pepper starts. Done. They look so awesome all lined up in a row. I am trying them in the small growing cells this year. But I am planning on transplanting as they get bigger and outgrow their little cells.
Watch Out for Plant Diseases Like Dampening Off (My Personal Nemesis).
Everything was looking good. I went to put them under the grow light and guess what I saw? On the tray I planted last week, there were two cells with a tiny bit of white, fuzzy…mold. Ewwww. Mold is one of the most annoying problems you have to deal with when planting starts. The other biggie is dampening off. Dampening off has prevented me from starting seeds on my own for YEARS. It seemed like every time I tried, they would grow and grow and then just up and die on me. I told you that I wasn’t very good at growing things indoors. I am honestly completely challenged at it. However, the last couple of years, I have found success using a very cheap and easy solution: hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen Peroxide is your Friend in the Battle to Protect your Seedlings from Dampening off.
So I pricked the teeny tiny bits of mold out of the two affected cells and then busted out my bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a bottle of bottled water. I drank about half of the water (because it’s good for me and I didn’t want to just dump it out) and then added a bit of hydrogen peroxide to the remaining bottled water (I didn’t measure – just dumped some in. I have heard suggestions for mixing the peroxide with the water or just using straight peroxide (which I don’t recommend as I think that would be way overkill). The ratios I have seen have varied a bit (a 10:1 ratio water/peroxide – to 1 – 1 1/2 tsp. per cup of water) use whatever you think best. Then I popped the lid back on the bottle. Then I took a safety pin and poked about a dozen tiny holes in the top of the cap. I gave it a quick swirl and then watered all of my cells with the peroxide and water mix. The peroxide should kill any bacteria and since my seedlings haven’t been affected with dampening off yet, I think they will be fine. I will try and keep you posted.
Other Remedies for Fighting Plant Diseases – Cinnamon to the Rescue!
I think I will also sprinkle some cinnamon on the soil surface just to be on the safe side. Cinnamon is a natural anti-fungal/anti-bacterial agent. Plus it smells nice, which is always a bonus. Another thing to remember is to water your seedlings from below once the seedlings emerge if possible. That also reduces the risk of dampening off.
It is always good to remember if you are starting seeds using planting supplies from last year to give them a good washing – either a trip through the dishwasher or with a diluted bleach water solution to prevent bacteria from forming. It is handy know some techniques to help keep your seedlings alive.
A few more ideas that I have heard of but not yet tried myself…
1. Chamomile tea – also an anti-fungal/anti-bacterial. You can just brew the tea straight in your sprayer. Warm water and a tea bag. Mist your plants and the soil with the tea mixture.
2. Thyme – another anti-fungal, anti-bacterial. Use dry thyme and brew it like tea. Strain and use on the plants/soil.
3. Sprinkle a dusting of sand on top of the potting soil – dries out quickly and reduces moisture on the surface which is a major cause of plant diseases.
4. Sprinkle sphagnum peat moss on the top of your potting soil. Also an anti-fungal/anti-bacterial.
So, there are a few thoughts on saving our seeds from the dreaded “dampening off.” If you have any other methods on preventing this problem and want to share – please do. I am always curious to find out what works for others. Happy gardening peeps.
*Update – Using wooden plant markers seems to promote the growth of mold in your seed trays. Try these free and easy plant markers made from old milk jugs instead! So much better!
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I hope this works. You get so sad when they start to wilt. Crossing my fingers for ya…
Thanks babe. Me too.
I would love to get an update. How did the hydrogen peroxide do? Also, if the hardening off process appears to have started, is it too late? Should I just consider those plants a lost cause and start new seeds? Thanks!
It worked fine thanks! The hardening off process is something you do when you start to bring the plants outside for a few hours a day for several days in a row before moving them outdoors permanently. If your plants are wilted at the base of the stem and shriveled there, usually they are lost. Sorry.
[…] local plant sale instead of growing them. I think I saw a fungus gnat. Ick. And some signs of dampening off in a couple of the cells. I sprinkled them well with cinnamon and will probably do a hydrogen […]