Oh dear. I think I might have killed my seedlings.

[knitter4democracy]

Help!

Okay, I planted a full flat with various things for my garden and watered them. The beans came up right away, well, four of them out of 18, and then others followed. I took the plastic off, put a light on them (my OttLite, all I have), and thought all was well. I saw real leaves on the green beans and so got pots to transplant them into today along with a couple of trays to eventually transplant everything into the garden.

When I took a good look at it all tonight, there was mold in a lot of the little cubes things. Many of the seeds never sprouted, and when I looked at the beans that didn't, they just fell apart into mush. I must have overwatered them! So, I panicked and transplanted everything, even the smallest ones, into the bigger pots.

Did I kill them all? Is transplanting too early going to shock them and kill them? Am I going to have to start over (probably with the bigger pots--they're a fiber pot that you don't have to take them out of, so it should breathe better for water and stuff)?

I really need some gardening advice. I have another seedling tray that I'm worried is too wet, too. What should I do if it is? I don't think mold's a good thing to have around seedlings.

Eeep!

[wildeyed]

1. What kind of soil did you use originally?

I generally use soil-free potting mix made specifically for seed starting. Regular potting soil can have bacteria and spores in it that kill seedlings.

Also, I use a spray mister or automatic under watering system to avoid over watering seedlings.

It is still early in the season. Figure out what went wrong and then start over :)

[knitter4democracy]

3. I used commercial seed starter.

When I was transplanting, it was super-duper wet, and I never watered it again after the first time. I'm wondering if my kids got to it . . .

[Kolesar]

2. If it's that "bright green stuff" it's algae and not mold.

I don't think I can adequately address the methodology of plant starts. I would have to stare at a book and make notes.

[knitter4democracy]

4. It's white and thready and smells like mold.

At first, I thought it was roots or something, but in taking apart the green bean things, all I could smell was mold, and the seeds had gone to mush without developing.

[plantwomyn]

5. Once the seedlings sprout,

It's more about circulation. Sitting in water and stagnant air will kill them every time. Use a spray bottle to water next time. I know it isn't easy in "spring" but you have to try and balance moisture, heat and air. It's better to spray more often them soak. Air circulation also helps "harden" seedlings for eventual planting outside. Plants NEVER exposed to "wind" will dry out and fall over out there in the cruel world.
As far as transplanting, it's always best to have a good root system first and to disturb the roots as little as possible when you transplant. If you use peat plugs, you can just plant those plugs into a larger peat pot, then plant the whole pot in the ground.
At this point let the stuff you've planted dry out a bit and see. If something comes up great. If you have the space, start those plants that really need a head start again. Tomatoes and pepper especially. Make sure if your going to reuse anything that you clear it with a diluted bleach solution and rinse it well or you'll just carry the mold/disease over to your new babies.

[knitter4democracy]

7. I tried to disturb the roots very little.

I only kept the ones without any mold that I could see (of course, who knows), and today they're looking green and happy. I don't know--they could still die off from the shock. Still, they look happy.

I really like the pots that I got. They breathe well. They're like these but 4" pots that I put my own potting soil in, not a kit.
http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SO%2DWSP

[plantwomyn]

8. Wait until the roots come through the peat

them just tear the bottoms off when you plant them.
These are the type I use to start seedlings. Once roots show through, upgrade to 4".

[Richard Steele]

6. If you have to start over, it's a good idea to sterilize your potting soil.

Put it in the oven in a dish covered with foil, and give it
about 30 minutes at 180 degrees. That will kill any mold
or other nasty things living in it.

[LiberalEsto]

9. It's called "damping off"

Try misting them with a little hydrogen peroxide mixed into the water.

[KatyaR]

10. Buy one of those small desk fans and run it somewhere close to the seedlings.

It shouldn't actually blow on them, but you need to keep the air moving around those plants. This will help a lot.

[knitter4democracy]

11. I think I know where one is. Thanks!

I'll have Hubby get to that tomorrow while I go to my spinners' guild meeting. :)