Sudden seedling death

[OllieC]

always good to quote a source, les (I prefer it with the piccies!): http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1000/damping_off.asp

[OllieC]

[kt.]

My calabrese and primo cabbage sown last week has wilted.  Tomorow I intend to transplant the seedlings into individual pots deep enough so only the leaves are touching the top of the soil.  The rest of the stem will be below the surface.  This should help some ofthe seedlings but maybe not all.

[les65]

always good to quote a source, les (I prefer it with the piccies!): http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1000/damping_off.asp

point taken

[Tee Gee]

I have read these posts and I get the feeling I am drowning in the water that is being used.

It is a known fact that more seedlings die from over watering rather than underwatering. This coupled with too high or too low temperatures can be fatal.

I rarely water my seeds/seedlings after sowing and before pricking out. Occasionaly I will mist them over if we have had a few days of sunshine (whats that I hear you ask) exactly we've had none so no watering required.

I find a good soaking prior to sowing the seed should be sufficient to keep them going until pricking out time. Then they get another soaking after pricking out.

Then depending upon how fast they grow (which equates with water usage) I just watch for tell tale signs that tell me they need watering ( dry compost surface is not one of them!)

Let take a human comparison.............seedlings are plant 'babies' 'human babies' don't get loads to drink when first born so why give it to plants? there is a limit to what they will use at this stage.

Too wet a compost is like a wet nappy and we all know how babies take to these, a plant is no different, they want moist not soaking conditions.

nuff said  ::) ;D

[ManicComposter]

Thanks all, Im still quite a novice to growing plants. I only started growing seedlings for the first time ever last year so I am still learning the basics.

Thanks for all the advice :)

[Tyke]

I have read these posts and I get the feeling I am drowning in the water that is being used.

It is a known fact that more seedlings die from over watering rather than underwatering. This coupled with too high or too low temperatures can be fatal.

I rarely water my seeds/seedlings after sowing and before pricking out. Occasionaly I will mist them over if we have had a few days of sunshine (whats that I hear you ask) exactly we've had none so no watering required.

I find a good soaking prior to sowing the seed should be sufficient to keep them going until pricking out time. Then they get another soaking after pricking out.

Then depending upon how fast they grow (which equates with water usage) I just watch for tell tale signs that tell me they need watering ( dry compost surface is not one of them!)

Let take a human comparison.............seedlings are plant 'babies' 'human babies' don't get loads to drink when first born so why give it to plants? there is a limit to what they will use at this stage.

Too wet a compost is like a wet nappy and we all know how babies take to these, a plant is no different, they want moist not soaking conditions.

nuff said  ::) ;D

I sowed some other seeds in another room and put them in small trays within a large tray - for better drainage. I watered every couple of days as the seed compost went very dry. However, the seeds did very well and they all survived. So I guess from this and what you say, i have been overwatering seedlings previously. Cheers.

[Biscombe]

Damping off, without a doubt.

Best tip ever, when you sow sprinkle the soil surface with cinnamon powder which prevents nasty fungi, then spray every week with a weak chamomile tea spray, It does help more to water more from the bottom