Start with clean materials
One of the most common problems affecting seedlings is moisture. This problem is caused by a number of pathogens, including Rhizoctonia spp., Fusarium spp., And Pythium spp. This condition usually causes the seedlings to collapse at the base of the stems, and you can often see fungus growing where the stem meets the soil.
Seedlings affected by moisture rarely survive.
To avoid dampness, thoroughly clean all your potting media (plates, pots, utensils) with soap and water.
Follow the sanitizer.
Plant with clean hands.
Use sterile tubs such as store-bought potting mix.
Disease prevention and management
Soak for 10 minutes in 10% household bleach solution and disinfect all used pots and pans. Use the fresh potting mix to fill the plates. Do not reuse the potting mixture and do not use garden soil or compost. Clean all tools used for planting and maintaining seedlings. Store them in a clean place when not in use. Use a heating pad under the trays to heat the soil to 70-75 F for indoor plant production. Before planting outside the garden soil wait until the optimum temperature for germination is reached. This temperature will vary depending on the plant (see table below).
Use a pot mixer with good drainage. Water to stay wet but not wet. Use pots with drainage holes to ensure good drainage of excess water. Keep pipes and water heads off the ground. Use clean warm (68 - 77 F) water to water the young seedlings. Coldwater (50 F) reduces plant growth and increases the risk of infection. Do not apply fertilizer to seedlings until many true leaves have formed. Then apply 1/4 strength standard soluble fertilizer. Many potting compounds contain slow-release fertilizers and no fertilization is required. Provide 12-16 hours of light with a mild white fluorescent or grow light for seedlings. There is not enough light from the window.
Make sure your seedlings have enough light
It will tell you soon enough whether your seedlings are getting enough light. Plants extend towards light sources. If you notice your seedlings leaning against a window or bulb, they will need more light. In the process of moving towards a light source, the seedlings can develop weak stems so that they are not healthy overall. If you do not use artificial lighting, consider adding lights. If you already have artificial lights and your seedlings are still stretching, try moving them closer to the plants.
Be sure to water regularly
Some seedling tray designs make it a challenge to water the plants regularly. Drainage from the bottom (adding water to the bottom of the tray and pouring water to the top) is a great way to reduce the time you spend watering and ensure more even watering. It also helps prevent disease by drying the leaves of your seedlings. Some plate and insert designs, such as trays with ridges separating each individual cell or tight-fitting inserts on the plate, make it difficult to water evenly. Monitor soil moisture anomalies and adjust your planting method if you have problems.
Do not overdo the water
Excessive watering is a common problem when you are starting to plant new seeds. If you have seedlings tilted from above, they may have a condition called epinasty. When water stagnates in your soil, it becomes hypoxic or devoid of oxygen. This condition can be a bit misleading because it may look like withering, which may make you want to take in more water. Many people think you need to water the seedlings daily, but that is more water than your plants need. Especially when the plants are small, their root systems are not yet formed and they do not take much water.
Keep your soil moist, but avoid soaking it. As the root systems of your plants grow, they will take up more water each day. Your potting mix will also determine how well water drains from your system. Excessive watering can create soil conditions where small insects such as fungal mosquitoes thrive. Following your irrigation system to avoid over-soaking your soil is a pest problem To help reduce. Adding a fan should also help to improve good ventilation.
Hard water handling
"Hard" water refers to water with a high concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Water that is considered "hard" is often associated with high pH and high alkalinity. In the outdoor garden environment, the effects of hard water often go unnoticed because they are in balance with acid rainwater. But in a small space like a seedling tray, your tap water will be the only source of water for your growing plants and you can see an effect. Before you start noticing the plant health effects, you may notice a crust on the surface of the soil.
In this situation, consider watering with a different water source or at least incorporating your irrigation routine with another water source. Many grocery stores have distilled water dispensers where you can fill your own containers.
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