![]() ![]() ![]() You can also increase airflow by using a fan. If your seedling room is inside, throw open a window and allow some of that humidity to dissipate. Ventilate your greenhouse by rolling up the sidewalls and doors. These systems do have their uses, but as they are designed to create a continuously moist environment they may actually invite the growth of green mold. After thirty minutes dump any excess water.īe cautious of self-watering trays. Fill the bottom tray with an inch of water and let the seedling tray absorb water from the bottom up. To do this, nest the seedling tray inside another tray without holes. You can also opt to bottom water instead of overhead water. If overhead watering, be sure that bottom trays have good drainage. Make it a habit to water in the morning instead of the evening. Be sure to let the soil blocks or cells dry out completely between waterings. Scale back on watering seedlings from every day to a few times a week. If you change up your watering schedule slightly you can create an environment where green mold can’t survive. Overwatering is the primary reason that seedling trays will start showing green mold. Once seedlings have their first true leaves they will begin to shade out the algae underneath them, and the green mold will eventually die back. Any less than 12 hours and you will have slow-growing seedlings that can’t outcompete green mold. Seedlings need 12-16 hours of light per day – any more than that and you run the risk of incubating algae populations. Be sure to take the lids off, too, as they are no longer needed. Heat mats are wonderful tools for quick seed germination, but if you keep a tray of seedlings on heat too long, you open up a window of opportunity for green mold to grow.Īs soon as your seedlings pop up, remove that tray from its heat mat. These nutrient-dense mixes are ideal for sprouting algae and other unwanted organisms. Potting soil is made for mature plants – it contains higher percentages of compost and organic matter. Make sure to buy seed-starting mix and not generic potting soil. While it’s more expensive to buy name-brand mixes, you’ll save yourself future frustrations by doing so. Invest in a quality seed-starting mix to use for seed sowing. Rinse with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) and allow to air dry before you stack them.īy properly sanitizing trays at the end of the year, you will ensure that no mold spores or diseases live through the winter to infect next season’s seedlings. Sanitize last season’s seedling trays and toolsĪt the end of the growing season, take inventory of what pots and flats you have on hand. What follows are tried-and-true methods to prevent the growth of green mold and tips for managing existing populations. 10 ways to prevent green mold from developing:Ī little extra preparation before you even begin to sow seeds will make a world of difference in the success of the season. When you see algae develop on your seedling trays, take steps to adjust the climate to one that is much better suited for your seedlings. What’s more damaging than algae growth is the humid environment that supports it. If left untreated, green mold will take over seedling trays and create a crusty barrier, making it harder for plants to absorb the water and nutrients they need. Green mold doesn’t directly harm seedlings, but it may cause problems when it competes with plants for space, nutrients, and water. Is this green stuff harmful to my seedlings? Seedlings need water, light, heat, and fertilizer – but applying these things too often or too soon will create an environment ripe for algae and other fungal growth.Īlgae prefer some growing mediums over others – if you’re using potting soil high in organic content or a soil block mix high in peat moss, you might be more likely to see algae as these mediums hold excess moisture and nutrients. Green mold thrives in warm, humid conditions. Why is my seedling soil developing green mold? Read on to learn what green mold is, what it might mean for your seedlings, and how to eliminate it. Green mold isn’t a death threat for your seedlings, but its presence signals the existence of another, more sinister pest. Your seeding room or greenhouse may be an ideal environment for algae to grow if you’re overwatering the plants in a room with little airflow. Your seedling soil can be covered with either green mold or algae, a common type of moss-like plants that thrive in warm, humid conditions. As an Amazon Associate earns from qualifying purchases.Ĭongratulations! The precious seeds that you have sown with care have finally sprouted.īut on closer inspection, you notice there’s something else growing in your seedling trays, too.īefore you pat yourself on the back for a job well done, you should probably determine what the slimy green stuff actually is. ![]()
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