I've noticed some type of white growth on the soil of my seedlings - see picture attached. I have kept them on the dry side, to prevent dampening off, and water from the bottom. The lights are on for 16 hours/day. I also have an oscillating fan on for about 12 hours per day. Does anyone know what this is? At the moment, it does not seem to be affecting my seedlings.
Mushroom mycelium....? Maybe?
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/400221/mycelium
edit:BTW, seedlings look great!
This message was edited Apr 7, 2010 12:05 AM
Can't really make it out in the photos. Could it just be the precipitation of salts on the soil surface? Otherwise, mold on exposed seeds (usually larger seeds) is usually a likely cause.
This message was edited Apr 7, 2010 8:21 AM
Perhaps it is mushroom mycelium or some type of fungus. I can scrape it off the top layer of soil. I had a similar problem on my fall cuttings. I wonder if my bag of potting soil somehow got contaminated. Do you think I need a fungicide drench? If so, how old or large should the seedlings be?
Don't think it's salts on the soil surface, as it is not crusty and I had not fertilized yet when I noticed this.
I wouldn't think it would be any danger to the plants since they probably are using different nutrients from the soil. And once they go outside Mother Nature will probably take care of it. Fungicide is pretty drastic a step I think. Mycelium will start on the surface then eventually work it's way under the soil where it lives. The mushrooms we see are technically the fruit of the mycelium.
I was going to suggest just scraping it off to keep it under control. As long as conditions are optimal, i.e. warm and moist, it will continue to grow and return I'm sure.
I get the same thing any time I use peat moss to grow seedlings--putting some vermiculite on top of the peat moss took care of it this year (maybe it just covered it up so I couldn't see it--or kept the top less moist) it doesn't seem to affect my seedlings
Thanks Tylersays and rah127. Weather should warm up next week and I'll put some of the seedlings out for a little while - not too long though since they are small. Next year I will put vermiculite on the top - skipped that this year, so maybe that is the problem. I appreciate all your help!
Eli
