This is the time of year I am eager to start a few seeds indoors. There really is a certain art to growing seedlings. It took me a while to realize that I needed to observe certain rules to have good success at starting my own garden plants.
There is one thing many gardeners dread, and it is called damping off. Beginners and experienced gardeners alike are frustrated and disheartened when it strikes.
Prevent Damping Off In Seedlings
A soil-borne fungal disease that affects seeds and new seedlings, damping off usually refers to the rotting of stem and root tissues at and below the soil surface.
In most cases, infected plants will germinate and come up fine, but within a few days they become water-soaked and mushy, fall over at the base and die.
Several fungi can cause decay of seeds and seedlings including species of rhizoctonia, fusarium and phytophthora. However, species of the soil fungus pythium are most often the culprit. Damping off typically occurs when old seed is planted in cold, wet soil and is further increased by poor soil drainage. High humidity levels, rich potting soils and planting too deeply will also encourage its growth.
Prevention is the best cure.
It Helps To:
- Use a sterile potting soil (I have had good success using Jiffy peat pellets).
- Don’t over-water. Keeping your potting mix barely moist rather than soggy is essential to healthy seedlings.
- Allow for good air circulation.
- Use natural anti-fungal agents vs. toxic chemical ones.
3 Natural Anti-Fungals for Damping off
Chamomile Tea:
I just read about a gal who worked on an organic farm that grew dried flowers from seed. She was attempting to be as sustainable as possible and did a little test of a chemical fungicide versus chamomile tea, and the chamomile tea prevented seedling stem rot just as well, if not better than the chemical! You can also use chamomile tea as a pre-soak for seeds prior to planting.
Instructions:
Brew a weak batch of chamomile tea, one tea bag to two cups of boiling water. Allow the infusion to cool, then dilute it so that it is a pale yellowish color. Add the cooled, diluted tea to a spray bottle and use as needed. This mixture will be good for about a week. Spray the seedlings regularly until they are planted out into the garden to ensure that you don’t have any problems with damping off.
Dried chamomile flowers for making tea
2. Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture:
Dave’s Garden states, “Watering or misting seedlings with an anti-fungal solution will also help protect your seedlings. One tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per quart of water is sufficient.”
3. Cinnamon Dusting:
A one-time dusting of cinnamon or powdered charcoal on the soil surface can also be used as an anti-fungal agent. If you persist with problems, you may want to use a chemical control, but such measures shouldn’t be necessary for the home gardener.
Natural, organic damping off prevention is inexpensive.
It will invariably help your seedlings get off to a healthy start.
Happy gardening!
“It was planted in good soil by many waters, to bring forth branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic vine.” ~ Ezekiel 17:8
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Thanks for reading!
Bethany M says
February 18, 2013 at 8:53 pmThanks! This is so helpful at this time, as I have my seedlings started and had faced this a little and was wondering how to fix it.
LindaG says
February 18, 2013 at 10:07 pmThank you for this timely post. I just lost a couple of watermelon seedlings. Being new to growing things I wasn’t sure what had happened.
Now I suspect I ignorantly caused this damping off.
I need to find some chamomile tea now. I have plenty of cinnamon.
Being totally ignorant though, is Celestial Seasonings a good choice, or do I need to look somewhere else?
What about store bought cinnamon? Is it safe?
Jacqueline says
February 18, 2013 at 11:47 pmLindaG,
I have not needed to use cinnamon, but would get chamomile teabags at the grocery instead. Make the brew as I have written (and you can read other places, too, to get more knowledge) and use a spray bottle to apply. I would always just Google for more info and read, read, read! Good luck!
Countrified Hicks says
February 19, 2013 at 6:03 pmI will remember this. Thanks for the tip and thank you so much for linking up with us!
http://www.countrifiedhicks.com
http://www.facebook.com/countrifiedhicks
Toni says
February 19, 2013 at 6:36 pmOnce again, a great example of why I love this blog – every time I visit I come away with some bit of information that I can use. Thank you! I have lots of chamomile from last year so I will definitely use it when the time is right. I need to get my plants started!
Thanks again!
Toni
Jacqueline says
February 19, 2013 at 7:22 pmOh, thank YOU! I am always so glad to hear I have helped a little! blessings to you, Toni! Stay warm, dearie!
Judith says
February 24, 2013 at 9:49 pmI loved this post!! I used to grow my seedlings indoors but since we moved 5 years ago we haven’t had a successful garden. I need manure or it just isn’t worth it. Thanks for linking up with me over at WholeHearted Home this week.
Jacqueline says
February 24, 2013 at 11:26 pmOh, I do hope you get to watch the Back To Eden Movie! It will revolutionize your garden and the way we think of gardening!!
Darcy says
March 9, 2013 at 3:48 pmThank you! I will be starting seeds for the first time this year. I just ordered a lb of chamomile tea so I’m all set!
Jacqueline says
March 9, 2013 at 9:56 pmI am just about to start our seeds, as well. I think I will sprinkle cinnamon into the soil before I plant and then use a spray of chamomile tea as they germinate. We have a friend who works at a large organic garden nursery and that is what they do.
Jan @ Another Hatchett Job says
March 9, 2013 at 4:35 pmCan’t thank you enough for this post! Last year I lost almost every seedling I planted to damping off. I ended up having to buy tomato plants. Not good for the budget. I hope that this information will help me avoid that fate for this year!
Jacqueline says
March 9, 2013 at 9:58 pmI hope this is the help you are seeking. It is never fun to have to go out and buy…better to have the tomatoes and such of our own choice…Have a lovely spring! Blessings!
Anna @ Feminine Adventures says
March 13, 2013 at 3:02 pmI’m finally getting ready to start planting (hurray!) and love this post. I have a big bag of chamomile flowers in the cupboard, so should be set. 🙂
Jacqueline says
March 13, 2013 at 8:14 pmI’m just so glad there is a way to fix the problem…every year I’d lose 20% of my seedlings. Not tragic, but frustrating 🙂 Have a great spring, Anna!
Karen Malek says
May 22, 2013 at 9:03 amHi Jacqui! Thanks for the tip. I was beginning to think I’d have to give up on my parsley this year. I’ve planted three times with the same results. I’ll try again…
Jacqueline says
May 22, 2013 at 12:21 pmOh, I hope it helps your little sprouts, Karen! Love you, sister!!
Jim Coulter says
July 7, 2013 at 10:56 pmI too have the dampening off problem, I got some Chamomile tea at the store to try. I hope that the caffeine free will work as well as the regular.
Thank You Very Much!