Prevent / Stop "Damping Off" diease organically, naturally

[JM]

Damping off can be very frustrating to deal with. You meticulously plant your seeds, and then begins the daily wait to watch them emerge. Sometimes, they don't germinate. Sometimes, they do, but they look yellowish, sickly, and weak. Or, perhaps most heartbreaking of all, they look perfect, until all of a sudden, they fall over. The base of the stem will look shrivelled and discolored. This is damping off, and it is a pain.




If you'd like to ensure that you don't have any problems with damping off, there are a few things you can do. First off, use sterile seed starting medium and clean pots. Encourage good air circulation by not planting seeds too closely. If possible, use a small oscillating fan to provide additional airflow to your seed starting area.
A weak solution of chamomile tea, misted onto the soil surface with a spray bottle two to three times per week, will help protect seedlings from damping off. Chamomile tea contains anti-fungal properties that offset any pathogens in the soil. Instructions:
Brew a weak batch of chamomile tea, one tea bag to two cups of boiling water. Allow the infusion to cool, then dilute it so that it is a pale yellowish color. Add the cooled, diluted tea to a spray bottle and use as needed. This mixture will be good for about a week. Spray the seedlings regularly until they are planted out into the garden to ensure that you don't have any problems with damping off.



Photos:

 

[gearbear]

Great job and advice!

 

[JM]

we do now!

 

[Noods]

A weak solution of chamomile tea, misted onto the soil surface with a spray bottle two to three times per week, will help protect seedlings from damping off. Chamomile tea contains anti-fungal properties that offset any pathogens in the soil. Instructions:
Brew a weak batch of chamomile tea, one tea bag to two cups of boiling water. Allow the infusion to cool, then dilute it so that it is a pale yellowish color. Add the cooled, diluted tea to a spray bottle and use as needed. This mixture will be good for about a week. Spray the seedlings regularly until they are planted out into the garden to ensure that you don't have any problems with damping off.

Hey JM, thanks for this! But as simple as it is, it has me confused.

First you say to spray the soil surface, and then later you say spray the seedlings. I just want to be sure: Can I spray the the tea directly on the seedlings, or only on the soil?

 

[Muddy]

A tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide per quart of water will also work.

http://www.autoflower.org/f42/damping-off-causes-treatments-1946.html

 

[Noods]

Thanks for the link Muddy! Nice reading there.

 

[jefflynyrd]

I'vr had this problem with some shortryder#2s that everytime that I germinated some seeds they would be fine then in a week or less they would die for what I figured was no apparent reason. After some internet reading I came to the conclussion that it was "Damping Off"... And the fix for it (it seems) is that you dont water the plants from the top or spray the foliage. You simply water from the bottom! IT WORKS!!!

 

[JM]

yes noods... you can spray direct... they like a cup o tea too ya know... chamomile is very soothing and calming..

 

[JM]

photos resized...

 

[Noods]

Thanks jm. It only took ya one and a half damn years to answer and now those plants are looooong gone.
:smokebuds: :hug: