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What is this white furry substance on the soil of my seedling trays?

NewGardener25NewGardener25 Posts: 47
in Problem solving
I'm growing some seedlings, indoors on a south-facing windowsill, and have noticed that the top layer of some cells has a slight white furry looking substance on it. I'm guessing this is a mould. I let the soil dry out before bottom-watering again in an attempt to avoid any problems like this. How can I prevent this? Is it harmful to my seedlings? I could just remove it but I dont really want to be fussing around with the soil when more seeds are germinating quite close to the surface(the seeds are tiny), plus it might just end up growing on the new top layer. What can be done about this?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Photo please.  It could be root hairs, not mould.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • NewGardener25NewGardener25 Posts: 47

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Not root hairs then.  It does look crusty and rather dry.   What compost did you use and how do you water them?  Tap or rain water and above or below?

    If you stand the seed trays in a bigger tray of water and let them soak up what they need then let them drain you should be able to water safely without disturbing any seeds still germinating.

    The mold may be the result of using old compost or rainwater from a butt and it may lead to dampening off of your seedlings.  There is no chemical treatment available in the UK but the French advocate a fungicide made from steeping marestail in water for a couple of weeks than straining the resulting "tea" and diluting it to use as a spray or a soak.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • NewGardener25NewGardener25 Posts: 47
    I used miracle gro seed and cutting compost, and I sterilised it with boiling water before sowing the seeds. I bottom-water(put the water in the little tray the cells are in) with tap water. I only let the water soak up for about 20 minutes, then tip out the excess. Ah I see, i've been wondering about a treatment but I dont want to use anything that would be too harsh on the seedlings. Thank you for your answers ☺
  • RullahRullah Posts: 54
    I have similar mould on all (about 50 small pots) of the things I'm growing on my windowsils inside. I assumed it was just cos of the damp soil plus warm house conditions and have just ignored it. It's not bothered my seedlings at all, although I am growing bigger things (courgette, pumpkins etc). I'm pretty sure it's happened every year!
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