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A home-made fungicide

I've been growing seeds for decades, I have yet to dust a seed with fungicide or anything else.

Posts

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016

    Nature doesn't add fungicide when it spreads the seeds, we don't need to either.  Fungicides etc may increase germination levels but aren't a necessity.

  • ZenjeffZenjeff Posts: 652

    Water when sown with camomlle tea acts as a fungicide and prevents damping off.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    If you're only using a small amount of compost, you could sterilize it first. I read 'somewhere' you can fill a colander/steamer with compost and steam it for a while to sterilize

    With that and drop of chamomile tea to start them off you can't fail image


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Edd says:

    Your body regulates acidity in your (second brain) The stomach. 

    See original post

     No wonder I'm so intelligent, I've got a massive brain  image

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    aym - what seeds are you sowing that need such specific conditions?

    Not seen your Vitopod yet - are you pleased with it?
    I've already got a heated propagator in my little g/house. Will get a Vitopod for the new g/house, but I've got to wire up the electrics first


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    Well, I'll also treat myself to a Vitopod for my 60th next yr too then!

    But I can't wait till August, so it'll be an early present soon as i've sorted the electrics.
    I will keep my Parasene Big Top propagator in the little g/house just outside the lounge, to save trundling down the garden. It's also easy to heat the little g/house, then when the seedlings are big enough, I'll pop em in the new g/house

    I can manage the electrics, it's just dealing with the armoured cable that's putting me off starting

    Bob's is very impressive, but also very heavy and I'd like to be able to put it away in the summer months

    Going to go have a look at your Vitopod pics now ;)

    Last edited: 16 December 2016 09:04:34


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039

    I really really did not want to reply to this thread, but there are things which I think are alarming and potentially dangerous for folks.

    The stomach does not regulate the bodies acidity, it is full of acid, but control of acidity is by the kidneys.

    Anyone trying to control blood sugar with cinnamon, is a fool and potentially putting their health at risk.

    With regard to seed sowing, don't you think you are unnecessarily complicating things. Seed germination is about replicating the conditions found in the wild, in the places where that plant naturally grows.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    If you want to germinate the seeds aym, read punkdoc's last sentence, that says it all.

    Where do they grow naturally?

    What time of year do they set seed and what is the temperature when they do?

    what is the soil like where they come from?

    How much rainfall is there and when?

    That's what's important, not fungicide and chamomile and cinnamon or anything else from the spice rack

    Last edited: 16 December 2016 13:52:59



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • ZenjeffZenjeff Posts: 652

    I think Aym was looking for help and chamomile is well proven gardeners haven't all ways got ideal growing conditions ? Here's the info

    imageOne of the most common problems people face when starting seeds is a fungus called Damping-Off. 

    To avoid this problem there are several things you can do, (damping-off story), but a really easy to use, and great preventative, is Chamomile Tea. 

    Chamomile is a naturally high source of sulfur and a good fungicide for preventing damping-off when starting seeds.

    You can either use whole flowers to make your tea, or chamomile tea bags, and the spray can be used on seed starting soil, seedlings, and in any humid planting area.

    Using Whole Flowers:

    To make a chamomile fungicide spray, place a large handful or about 1/4 dry cup (not liquid cup) of chamomile blossoms in a heat-proof glass bowl and cover with 2 cups (470 ml) of boiling water

    Cover and let steep until cool

    Strain through cheesecloth and pour into a spray bottle

    Spray can be used as needed on newly planted seed starting soil and seedlings to prevent damping off

    Use any time a white fuzzy growth appears on the soil of seedlings

    Liquid can also be used as a seed soak prior to planting

    Leftovers will keep for about one week before spoiling

    If fresh chamomile flowers are not available, dried ones may be purchased from most health food stores

    Using Tea Bags:

    Pour boiling water over a chamomile tea bag, leave to steep for ten minutes, when cool use as a spray the same as mentioned above.

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