Damping-Off
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When it strikes
About
Damping-off (Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium) kills seedlings before or just after emergence in cold, wet, poorly drained or overcrowded conditions, a common setback for spring seed-starting.
Symptoms
Seeds rot before sprouting, or seedlings topple over with a thin, water-soaked, pinched stem at the soil line; roots are brown and mushy.
Organic Treatment
Improve drainage and airflow, let the surface dry between waterings, sow in sterile mix, and water with chamomile or a Trichoderma drench.
Chemical Treatment
Captan or thiram seed treatments; mefenoxam drench for Pythium in commercial propagation.
Prevention
Use sterile seed-starting mix and clean trays, avoid overwatering and overcrowding, provide warmth and air movement, and don't sow too deep.