Mould on compost

FriendlyJ

Hiya - I am a totally novice gardener & have got myself one of those plastic greenhouses. My question is some of the seed trays I have put in have what looks like white mould growing on the soil. Is this normal? Do I just leave it or does it need to be dealt with. It is on the Rocket & Salad leaves as well as coming on the basil.

Thanks in advance J

serena

Hi Friendly,

a few possibilities - is the compost either too wet or too dry? Stick your finger right in to check! If too dry, then water, and drain. If too wet, hold off on the waering for a few days.

White mould on the leaves may be because the air in the plastic greenhouse is too humid, and not circulating very much. Try airing them off. I would also have thought that it may be getting a bit warm for those plants (except the basil which likes to be cosy). They are quite hardy, and should grow pretty well outside until the autumn. As long as you can keep the slugs and snails off...

A_Clock

Make sure you keep the greenhouse door open during the day! Even if its raining just opening it half way will be fine. If the compost is too wet it could be damping off which kills new seedlings :eek:

ethansmum

Don't panic it is normal, just keep doing what the others have said- try to water from the bottom(use a try), plentry of air circulation and don't over water. It shouldn't effect the plants.

Debt_Free_Chick

FriendlyJ wrote: »

Hiya - I am a totally novice gardener & have got myself one of those plastic greenhouses. My question is some of the seed trays I have put in have what looks like white mould growing on the soil. Is this normal? Do I just leave it or does it need to be dealt with. It is on the Rocket & Salad leaves as well as coming on the basil.

Thanks in advance J

Too humid i.e. not enough air circulating. You need to have the GH open during the day.

Are you saying it's actually on the plants too? Sounds like botrytis and you really need to deal with it. It can cause all your seedlings to collapse :eek:

Remove all diseased plants as botrytis is a fungus and spreads through spores.

Is there any reason why you still have these plants in the GH? They could go outside now.

FriendlyJ

Hiya thanks for all the advice - you are far better than the bbc website! I planted everything v late, so was quite worried that the seedlings were too small for going out into the big wide plant pot lol. I think that it might be an airing problem & I have recified this. Will plant out this weekend.
Thanks folks J

tara747

One of my growbags (the one with tomato and spring onion seeds) is turning white on top in places. Seeds were sown just about a week ago. Is this a sign of over or under watering or something else? Thanks in advance.

a11waysindebt

Could be overwatering,Is there enough air circulating around the bag.

I would have personally started the seeds in pots then transplanted them in to the bags.

tara747

Thanks. Not sure if there is enough air - probably not as it is on the ground! But the other grow bags are doing fine, it's just this one. Can't wait to replant them into pots but I assume that I can't replant till they've germinated. Is that right?

Farway

If you are overwatering and it is too wet the seeds may have rotted already and not germinate

sow a couple more in pots now, but it is getting late in season to sow now, far better to have a look at boot, plant, jumble, church sales etc & see if any plants going

tara747

Farway wrote: »

If you are overwatering and it is too wet the seeds may have rotted already and not germinate

sow a couple more in pots now, but it is getting late in season to sow now, far better to have a look at boot, plant, jumble, church sales etc & see if any plants going

Nooooo

What if I try again but just keep them indoors?

I'll give it a go anyway, thanks for thw advice.