Post by macmex on Mar 29, 2014 8:34:21 GMT -6
Hey folks,
Many are presently growing tomatoes and peppers from seed. This is a good thing. There are so many more varieties available if one will grow from seed. Plus, preservation is impossible without this link in the chain. Anyway, here's a great tip I learned this year. I have often struggled with my small seedlings. They will come up, stall and then eventually bend over and die. Usually this problem is caused by a pathogen and is referred to as "damping off." It helps to have a small fan going on your plants. Exposure to real sunlight, when temps permit, also helps. Still, I have had more damping off, this year, than normal.
I did some research and found reference to watering with a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution., tried it, and BINGO! It works! The hydrogen peroxide kills the pathogen.
One other tip: most seed starting soils are not able to sustain much growth in seedlings. Fertilization is necessary. There are various ways to do this. I just do what I learned as a boy. I'm cheap and don't want to waste the ten year's supple of Miracle Grow that I have (one small box). Mix up a gallon of Miracle Grow and water with that once a week. That'll do it. Your seedlings should grow.
George
Many are presently growing tomatoes and peppers from seed. This is a good thing. There are so many more varieties available if one will grow from seed. Plus, preservation is impossible without this link in the chain. Anyway, here's a great tip I learned this year. I have often struggled with my small seedlings. They will come up, stall and then eventually bend over and die. Usually this problem is caused by a pathogen and is referred to as "damping off." It helps to have a small fan going on your plants. Exposure to real sunlight, when temps permit, also helps. Still, I have had more damping off, this year, than normal.
I did some research and found reference to watering with a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution., tried it, and BINGO! It works! The hydrogen peroxide kills the pathogen.
One other tip: most seed starting soils are not able to sustain much growth in seedlings. Fertilization is necessary. There are various ways to do this. I just do what I learned as a boy. I'm cheap and don't want to waste the ten year's supple of Miracle Grow that I have (one small box). Mix up a gallon of Miracle Grow and water with that once a week. That'll do it. Your seedlings should grow.
George