moldy potting soil

my indoor tomatoe, jalapeno, habanero and bell pepper seedlings have what looks like some kind of fungus in their potting soil. i covered them with plastic to keep the humidity high so they germinate and i guess it caused some kind of little yellow and black thingies to grow. what can i do to get rid of it and save the seedlings.

It sounds like you need air circulation around the seedlings, otherwise I think they may just rot, others may have better thoughts. Good Luck :>)
Christine

Doesn't sound good at all. Are you watering from the bottom only?

Have they germinated yet? If so remove the plastic and move them to a place with better air circulation. I water from the top until the seeds germinate. I've had stuff grow on my growing medium but the seedlings were fine.

Some molds will kill seedlings, and others seem to do no harm. I've noticed that if I add purchased worm castings to my soil mix, I sometimes get a grey mold on the surface. When this happens, I get a pointy knife, and stir the mold back into the mix.

they've germinated, most of them. the plastic has been removed to get some air to them and let the soil get a little dry.

We were just on vacation in Maine for a few days and visited a series of greenhouses with plants in all stages. Out of pure curiosity I checked containers and cells, taking note of the top of the soil and then poked my finger deeper at the edges. Soil was always dry on top and damp below. I'll go with the professionals and do as they do, which we've always done and we've never had the mold issues.

some of it has to do with the growth medium. If its sterile there should be no mold anyway. I've had a web like fungus grow if I left the top on too long and the environment was too wet in general and the temps were warmer. I've never been able to get eggplant to germinate without misting the top but now I know to keep the air moving and not leave the dome on too long.

I occasionally get the white web-like fungus, and sometimes some green algae. Neither seems to be a real problem for the seedlings. If I see either, I hold off a little longer on the watering, provide better air and the issue resolves.

David

Seems like I have read somewhere that the web like substance indicates fungus root gnat larvae which eat up the roots. I would give them a bug killing spray. Also, a fungus spray. Luciee

I read that sprinkling cinnamon on the surface of the soil helps as a preventative. I don't know if it works on established mold. I would move the moldy containers away from my other containers (and outside as soon as possible). You could try soaking in dilute bleach-water solution or spraying with neems or other fungicide. I am allergic to mold and hate fungus gnats, so I act fast if I see fuzzy stuff on my seed containers. I also always sterilize any indoor potting mixes in the oven before using and repot any indoor/outdoor plants before overwintering them inside.

I have sterlized potting soil in the oven for years. It sure makes a stink, but gets rid of bugs,bacteria, mold,weed seed, etc. I do not know if it gets rid of viruses. I read in flower and garden magazine years ago that if you will put a fist size potato on the top of the soil, when it gets done, that is long enough. I use the bottom of my broiler pan. Once I overcooked my potting soil, and it burned. It killed everything!!!LOLNothing would germinate!! ;>} Luciee

With in the last week I started broccoli, squash, carrots and tomatoes from seeds in Jiffey peat pellets (w/ dome). Only one of the broccoli pots have sprouted as well as 2-3 of the tomatoe peat pots and none of the carrots. Also, many of the little pots have seemed to grow that cobweb type mold and what looks like green (algae?). Not sure what to do...i.e. throw out the ones w/ cobweb mold and green algae looking growth. I have only watered from bottom up when originally planted all the seedlings because the soil still feels/appears very damp and propped the dome open because there also seemed to be lots of condensation (and a couple of the seedlings had sprouted). FYI, the cobweb and green stuff seems to be inside and outside some of these pellets. It doesn't look good at all. Would appreciate any help! First time grower who lives in North San Francisco Bay area. Am pretty clueless to this...

ANeissa,
I answered your other thread.