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Post by ladybird on Feb 15, 2019 16:05:16 GMT
I remember there was a chestnut compound available to prevent damping off disease in seedlings but I think it got banned. So I'm wondering what is available now as the compost I`m using was probably sitting about over the winter and I see a bit of fluffy stuff around some seedlings . I came across a "Bordeaux mixture" which is made by mixing copper sulfate and lime and I'm wondering that would do or can copper sulfate be a used all by it`self?
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Post by steve on Feb 15, 2019 20:05:13 GMT
Cheshunt compound was a mixture of copper and ammonia which like you say is banned now I think Bordeaux is based on copper too so it seems to be that the copper is the key, If the flakes haven't got around to banning Bordeaux mixture yet then that should work ok  |
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Post by Geumlover on Feb 15, 2019 20:34:10 GMT
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Post by ladybird on Feb 16, 2019 5:46:18 GMT
Interesting geumlover , thanks for that link, I`m all for organic where possible. I think I`l try a controlled experiment and see what happens. |
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Post by sweetpea on Feb 16, 2019 15:20:45 GMT
ladybird If you are not doing a lot then a quick and easy way to sterilise a pot of compost is just boil a kettle and pour boiling water over. Does the trick for me. It won't stay sterile of course but the seedlings germinate in a clean environment which gives them a better chance of survival. ie no damping off. Have used this for fern spores which need a sterile compost.
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Post by ladybird on Feb 16, 2019 23:12:24 GMT
ladybird If you are not doing a lot then a quick and easy way to sterilise a pot of compost is just boil a kettle and pour boiling water over. Does the trick for me. It won't stay sterile of course but the seedlings germinate in a clean environment which gives them a better chance of survival. ie no damping off. Have used this for fern spores which need a sterile compost. I never thought of that sweetpea. The compost is a bit on the dry side as its been in the greenhouse so I`l give that a try. it could also be that some seed didn`t germinate because the compost is wet, to cold or not hot enough. |
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Post by roofgardener on Feb 17, 2019 8:33:01 GMT
Could anyone explain to me what is meant by the term "damping off" ? What are its consequences ?
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Post by Geumlover on Feb 17, 2019 9:01:08 GMT
Damping off is caused by several different pathogens that kill or weaken seeds or seedlings before or after they germinate. It is most prevalent in wet and cool conditions.
Thin sowing,good ventilation, drier growing conditions and fungicides all can help.
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Post by sweetpea on Feb 17, 2019 12:17:46 GMT
also you will notice that the seedlings show rot at the point where they emerge from the soil/compost and they keel over.
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Post by ladybird on Feb 18, 2019 12:09:03 GMT
I`m not actually sure if It is damping off I have. some seeds just don`t germinate and there is a white fizz on the compost.  |
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Post by SueA on Feb 19, 2019 8:36:40 GMT
That could well be damping off ladybird, the white fluff looks like fungus & it could stop the seeds germinating, if you'd expect the seeds to have come up by now that may not happen & you might have to sow again using new compost. If you don't want to buy new compost you could try microwaving some briefly in a tray to sterilise it, I've not done that myself but have heard of people having success with that. |
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Post by ladybird on Feb 19, 2019 15:58:00 GMT
That could well be damping off ladybird, the white fluff looks like fungus & it could stop the seeds germinating, if you'd expect the seeds to have come up by now that may not happen & you might have to sow again using new compost. If you don't want to buy new compost you could try microwaving some briefly in a tray to sterilise it, I've not done that myself but have heard of people having success with that. Thanks Sue I`ll try that. I have some rather expensive petunia seeds to sow now and at this time of the year I doubt if there is any fresh compost available in garden centers. |
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Post by roofgardener on Feb 19, 2019 19:22:37 GMT
Oooh right.. I'll look out for that now I know about it. Thanks folks  |
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Post by sweetpea on Feb 19, 2019 19:23:43 GMT
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Post by roofgardener on Feb 19, 2019 19:25:17 GMT
It's a bit harsh on policemen, isn't it ?  |
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