Preventing Damping Off?

[Greenthumb18]

Before I start some seeds this week, I thought to ask if anyone knew of any ways of preventing damping off. The reason I ask was because last year I lost quite a lot of vegetable seedlings because of damping off, and it was so stressful worrying about the seedlings not thriving.
This year I ordered a seed starting mix, Maybe the reason I had Damping off was due to the soil I used for starting those seeds. I think it was Topsoil that I used.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[dickiebird]

If you're starting your seed inside the best thing I found to stop the damping off is to get some sort of air movement around your plants.

For me that is running a ceiling fan in the room I use for my plant starting efforts.

THANX RICH

 

[boggybranch]

Read, just this afternoon, in THE BACKYARD HOMESTEAD that reasearch has indicated that soaking seeds in water prior to planting can lead to damping-off seed rot.

 

[thistlebloom]

Maybe the reason I had Damping off was due to the soil I used for starting those seeds. I think it was Topsoil that I used.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I think this may be your problem.

 

[chris09]

-Damping Off-

Cause
Fungus and environmental causes.

Control
Control the environmental. One of the best controls is to use sterile soil for seed germination.

(Greenhouse Gardener's Companion 2000)

 

[Greenthumb18]

Thanks guys so much for the replies!

I'm pretty sure now that the seed starting mix will prevent damping off. I'll be sure to use it for all my seeds. Hopefully that will make a difference.

Now, let the seed sowing begin...!

I appreciate it!

 

[wifezilla]

Sterile soil and a fan takes care of most of it.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

here's some directions i got when i purchased some hosta seeds. most of it would apply to other seeds so it should work for your seed starting.

"I reuse my containers from year to year, but it is important to thoroughly wash out the containers and humidity domes a 1 part bleach to 10 part water mix to clean and disinfect the container and let them thoroughly dry. A pathogenic
fungus lives in all outdoor soil and this will form a white mold and rot your plants away if given the chance, so thoroughly clean out all new and re-used containers with the bleach and water mix.

Preparing and selecting the growing medium.
When planting, I use a new bag of seed starting mix purchased at either a home improvement store or nursery. These mixes typically are high in peat and perlite. I sterlize the soil prior to planting by pouring boiling water over the soil evenly two to three times and then letting the mix drain and cool. This will kill most diseases, fungus and fungus gnat seeds that are present in the soil. This is a crucial step since fungus will quickly kill sprouting hosta plants. I have also heard of people placing soil in a zip lock bag and microwaving for four to five minutes, but I have never tried it. If you want to have your spouse speaking to you, DO NOT BAKE YOUR SOIL IN THE OVEN, as it will really stink up the house. On the other hand you might enjoy the aroma, but my wife has threatened divorce if I ever even attempted to bake the soil.

Planting the seeds.
Once the soil mix is cool and damp, I will spread the mix evenly in the container to about a depth of one to two inches. I then scatter the seeds evenly on top of the mix and lightly press the seeds into the soil. They do not need to be planted very deep. After planting I sprinkle ground cinammon and sphagnum moss on top of the soil to prevent damping off, algae and fungus growth. I then mist the flats with water until damp and either place the half flat into the two gallon zip lock bag or put the humidity dome on top and place the seeds under flourescent lights. The seeds themselves do not need light to germinate, but do need heat that comes as a byproduct of having the lights on. You could also use a heat mat available from most catalog nurseries to keep the seeds warm. The seeds will germinate in about 12 to 30 days with temperatures in the 70s."

 

[desertcat]

In addition to the air flow, which didn't seem to make much difference to the first batch of seeds last year, I've tried a sprinkling of cinnamon and misting with some super-strength chamomile tea. Of the two, the tea's showing the best results. Knock on wood, I haven't lost one of those seedlings.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i've never heard of using the cinnamon before so that was something i was going to try when i read about it. but the chamomile tea i will give a try if it has better results! do you only use it at the beginning or can you also use it when you water the seedlings as they are growing?