Damping Off Disease
Somewhere lurking in the air in your house is the fungus spores of the
most dreaded of plant disease for those of us who start plants indoors for
transplanting outdoors later in the season.
Damping Off Disease is very common plant disease problem. We fear it, because
it is fatal to our young seedlings, and quite harmful to our soaring spring
spirits. To lose seedlings so early in the new gardening year, is just
heartbreaking, especially if it is a special seed. It leads to replanting,
and gets our young gardening season off to a late start.
If you grow indoor transplants early in the spring, you likely have experienced
it at some point. We usually think of Damping Off Disease as an indoor plant
problem. But, it also occurs outdoors, too. We are less likely to recognize
it outdoors, as the loss of plants in the spring can be attributed many of
things.
Now for the good news.... Damping Off Disease as a threat to your seedlings
can be minimized. We have lots of tips and ideas to help fight off this enemy
of the state.
Causes of Disease:
Damping Off disease thrives in cool or cold, dark or cloudy, wet or damp
conditions. The disease is airborne, and can spread very quickly from one
seed tray to another.
The fungal spores take root in your soil and quickly spreads across the seed
tray, jumping to other trays with ease. It is fatal to young seedlings, nipping
them off at the soil level.
Treatment:
As with other plants diseases, prevention is the best means of treatment.
Follow the do's and don't's listed below. If Damping Off disease
does take hold in your seed trays, act immediately. Remove diseased sections
to minimize the spread. If it has affected a significant number of plants,
replant in new soil and clean containers. Do not reuse the soil. Either use
new containers, or sterilize the ones you were using. We recommend new
containers.
Controlling Damping Off Disease:
Controlling the disease is a matter of removing the environment that Damping
Off disease thrives in. Here are the basic do's and don'ts:
Do:
** Buy sterilized seed starting soil.
** Use clean, sterilized containers.
** Provide plenty of air circulation.
Tip: Use a small fan and direct a gentle breeze across the room. The
important word here is "gentle"
** Thin seedlings to increase air circulation.
** Provide as much sunlight as possible.
** Let the surface of the soil dry out between watering. Watering from the
bottom is preferred.
** Stir the top of the soil around the seedlings.
** Put plants in a sunny location.
Don't:
** Don't leave your seedling trays in the basement. Basements are perfect
breeding grounds.
** Don't overwater plants.
** Do not use fertilizer on your new seedlings.
** Don't use tray covers. While it is a popular practice to use them, they
increase the humidity level and encourage disease growth.
Did you know? Nitrogen in your fertilizer can promote rapid growth
of Damping Off Disease.
Other Tips and Suggestions:
It is believed that soaking seeds in a small amount of water and a clove
of crushed garlic will prevent the disease.
Some people suggest misting the plant with Chamomile tea as a preventative.
Some people suggest fireplace ash on the top of the soil.
Cinnamon also acts as a fungicide.
Sphagnum moss spread thinly on the surface of the soil.
The Compact ComposTumbler, the top rated composter, quickly converts
plant matter into rich organic compost. Join organic gardening and "Go Green".
More Information:
Buy Flower, Vegetable and Herb Seeds Finest quality
Ferry Morse Seed, America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee
to grow".
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