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Thread: Tomato seedlings dying

  1. #1

    Default Tomato seedlings dying

    I need some help all of my tomato seedlings are dying. They are falling over then turning as hairlike thin any ideas on what's causing this.

  2. #2

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    Your seedlings are damping off. You will have to start over. They were probably too moist, try not to water the next ones as much.

  3. #3

    Default

    And if you have them in a little covered tray, take the cover off to let some humidity out. They're essentially rotting while alive in that high humid environment, like gangrene for plants.

  4. #4

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    I wonder if those plastic covers are always advisable. I live on the west coast and I have almost done away with them, I think there might be enough moisture in the air. And then if you live in a drier climate, you could use them judiciously

  5. #5
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    Default

    Brandon, it is not as much the moisture as it is a fungal disease that causes "damping off." You will need to start over.
    -Make sure you are using a soil-less seed starting mixture- NOT garden or potting soil. You can find directions for making your own on the web. I prefer to purchase pre-sterilized commercial seed starting mix.
    -Disinfect your trays, pots, covers, etc. with a 10% household bleach solution.
    -Do NOT allow seedlings to dry out even for a couple hours - indeed use a cover. But don't over water either. If you do, leave the cover off over night but replace because they will dry out and get stressed in a hurry.
    -And then here is a trick that I have been using for nigh on 20 years - make a strong cup of chamomile tea but not so strong that you couldn't drink it, cool and use as a mist about once every week or two on newly planted seeds and your seedlings. It makes a fine and harmless antifungal.

  6. #6

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    Love the tip about the chamomile tea. Did not know that, but what a simple solution without harmful chemicals.

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