Mold and growing seed

Yes, the temps are warm and air circulation isn't that great b/c my seeds are started in cups with a sandwich bag over top so mold is a problem. I poked vents low in the bag and then ontop so there'll be that air being pulled through but it's just not enough.

My question is, is there a product to help cut the mold? I'm looking into Hydroguard, which helps with the dampening off, will that product or similar also help with mold?

Your best bet is usually to water from beneath. I'm not sure what kind of cups you are using and they might be the problem. You might want to add about 1 part peroxide to 9 parts water and see if that helps.

I've never had good results with peroxide, it always seemed to increase the probs.

Sounds like you can cut back on the initial moisture in your seed starting mix. That would be a good place to start. It may be a bit wet to start with.

I know it won't help now if you are already in the process, but that's maybe the first line of defense. You usually don't have to water much..if at all, while seeds are starting and your area may be a bit too warm...and not enough air circulating.

I'd pop the baggies off for awhile and see if that will help things...they are mainly to keep the moisture in...so if there is already too much, try drying it out a bit...maybe 24 hours...then put the bags back on.

I'm trying that, giving them breathing time with the fan on, only it's a hassle with all those cups of seed. I'll let the medium dry out further in the future. Maybe cinnamon would help?

Are you using a sterilized medium?

It's supossed to be sterile, so I didn't bother. Cocobricks. I'm thinking I'll be better offer w/ sterilizing b/c I also got damping off.

Will sterilizing kill mold spores?

I'm no expert, but I think so. I sterilize all my seed starter, new or used, in the oven, and I seldom have a problem with dampening off or mold... only when I overplant a tray and don't give them adequate ventilation and drainage. Lobelia are a bit touchy for me. I've never used cocobricks, so I can't help you out much there.

CaptMicha, I always sterilyze my soil in the microwave, it only take about 10 min and no smell. use a instant read thermometer I get it to 180 to 200 degrees F. I usually don't have damping off after that, but yu could use Validamyacin. for that. lol hostajim1

Last spring, I sterilized all the potting soil I used for starting seeds, and I also watered from the bottom with hydrogen peroxide and/or chamomile tea added to the water. I don't know which of those techniques did the trick, but I didn't even see any of that harmless mold I've had on the soil surface in the past. Oh, and I also made generous use of those moisture retaining polymer crystals... I think they help keep the soil mix from being too soggy as well as helping the mix to stay moist longer.

Once I potted the seedlings up from their starting trays (when they had one or two pairs of true leaves), I mostly went back to potting medium from the bag and plain water (still from the bottom). I put my seedlings in trays, which made it easy to water and also allowed me to cover the entire tray or even part of the tray just using a piece of plastic wrap or using one of those clear domes -- much easier than putting baggies on individual cups. Whatever method you use to cover them, be sure there's no plastic touching the little leaves, or they can get too wet from the condensation and become moldy.

Micha, what sort of plants are you starting at this time of year??

Lol. Everything and anything. Well, what else am I to do with the coming cold weather? I need something green to keep my happy!

Right now though, it's milkweed for my caterpillars. The animals are keeping me so busy, I haven't had much time for plants.

After everything gets squared away, I'm going to rig up my thing (http://www.superseeds.com/images/H130_Greenhouse.JPG) with lights and heating pads so I can really get going with the seed. I have a feeling it'll mostly be filled up with milkweed so I can keep up with my caterpillar's voracious appetites.

The mold can come from the seeds, you can avoid problems by making them root on a paper towel and then pot them. Use a mix of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water to moisten the paper towel, this will keep any fungi spores from sprouting but will do no harm to your seeds. If you are afraid to do so, just try a few seeds at a time.

Good luck!

Zarcanat