Propogation advise

Have dalillies that are doing well. Yep,
gave them many hair cuts.

My four O'clocks have sprouted and now I see they look a little limp. I re-potted as they were hitting the lid of the tray.

It was a prepared soil . with seedling tray.

Is this called dampening off??? Duh!
Ordered the book Plant propogation by K. Druce
sandy

Hi 76! I had my first experience with damping off last year after my favorite nursery switched to a different seed/cutting mix. First time in 8 years. It was maddening! First damping, then the fungus gnats moved in. What I noticed was seedlings that looked fine one day, then the following day it looked like someone had just pinched the tops flat, or done the same to the bottom of the stems, right where they touch the dirt. At the soil line there will be almost a dark line on the stem and the seedlings will look limp and skinny. I hope that is not what you have.

Hello Badseed

The 4'oclocks look limp, not healthy looking like the daylillies.

I noticed on the 4'oclocks two of them have a black spot on their Heads??????

I checked for little critters and dont see anything wiggly as yet!!!!. I had 12 in the flat and nothing else is coming up.
Dead...Right?
sandy

Have you tried jiggling the trays or tapping them? Fungus gnats are obvious if that is the problem. Tiny gray flies will come out of the soil or you can catch the glimmer of them in the soil. You may want to get some Banrot if you think it is damping off or in the very least sprinkle the top of the soil with cinnamon. Easy things to fix/change are to keep a fan near, but not blowing on them for circulation. Do not over water them and try to water from beneath and let them dry out pretty well before you water again. Others will have their own methods but these things work for me. Also make sure they have ample light for about 16 hours a day.

Thanks Badseed:
I'll try this tomorrow. Great information.
I'm copying it for future reference.

This is stange. The two that had black on their tops. they fell off and now it looks like a Y. They did green up a bit.

I should take pictures but, I don't do well with Hyperlinks. Hate to think of where I'd send the pictures!

Sandy

Could the black have been the seed coat or part of it? It sounds like the seed leaves were trapped until the seed fell off and that is why they have a Y now. This all takes osme patience but it is well worth it. I am no expert but I am glad to help when I can.
Michele

Hey Badseed:

Plants are doing great now.
You were right. They all went to a y.
Have some brugs. coming up now.
I'm so afraid of losing them. Wish the weather would change.
It's so cold here.
Have them under lights. I can't take a lot of heat in the hse.
Between a rock and a hard place...

My Best
Sandy