From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Newville, PA

I started tomato and peppers from seeds and the plants are sprouting and growing fast. I only have two very LARGE problems. First, I took notice this morning that the soil around the plants seem to have a white fuzz on the top layer (assuming mold??)...Are they done for? Second, I didnt not have light close enough to them so they are leggy. If the mold will not kill them off, can I transplant into bigger pots and plant them deeper to cover up some of the stems???

3/8/2012 6:23:50 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Yes, tomatoes can be replanted into a larger pot and deeper to help take care of legging.

White fuzz? Can you scrape it off the top of the soil? (being puzzled, I've not ever had white fuzz) Did you use a sterile sprouting medium (potmix or soiless potmix)?

How old are your seedlings?

3/8/2012 7:54:09 AM

Newville, PA

The seeds were grown in one of those "greenhouse" planters that has the expanding peat pellets. The tray is self watering and I am thinking that it is getting too much water...but I am not sure. The fuzz can be picked off the top of the soil, it is like very small fluff balls

3/8/2012 8:40:11 AM

Newville, PA

the seedlings are probably 2 or 3 weeks old...I am puzzled as well this is the first that I have seen the top soil forming what appears to be mold.

3/8/2012 8:41:40 AM

I get that when i keep the soil too wet and not enough heat or light.

3/8/2012 10:07:46 AM

You might be able to save it with an anti-fungal and backing off the water. Sometimes that worked for me till i learned not to over water.

3/8/2012 10:13:14 AM

Netherlands

Quite common. Scrape the top layer off when you transplant into pots covering the stems up to the first leaves. Definately too wet. You will also want good lighting and about 70 degrees.

3/8/2012 10:51:53 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I agree with Brad its lighting and moisture..I think it lack of UV. We used to Spray a peroxide and water solution, or place them in a sunny room.

This only seemed to occur in the basement grow room where it was dark and flourescent was the only light source

3/8/2012 1:07:08 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I started by using them peat things too. Now I just start them in 4 inch pots its less stress on the young plants.
Just transplant it. Only very small seedling will get hurt by the fungi. It will go away if you let the top of the dirt dry between watering.

3/8/2012 5:27:55 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Oh ya try a small fan to keep air moving

3/8/2012 5:29:41 PM

Newville, PA

Thanks everyone. I put a small fan in the room with the seedlings and increased the light. I drained the containers (self watering setup) to allow the soil to dry out a bit. I will be transplanting them into larger pots and out of the current containers, that way I can moniter how much water they get to reduce overwatering.

3/8/2012 5:59:28 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Oh I never use expanding peat pellets or peat pots... I start with a flat with starter mix then up pot at 4 leaves to 4" square deeps, or at least 20 oz styrofoam cups (for the giveaways) with drainage holes punched in bottom. Competition plants go in squares, then next uppot is a gallon... before they get hardened off to go out.

Once you are at 4 leaf and do your uppot, a bit of drying out (water 2-3 times a week or immediately if you notice drooping) and don't let water stand in bottom of catch tray for more than an hour, and they will be fine.

Fan if you have high humidity; and at least 20 min a day of fan otherwise, makes a healthier stronger plant.

I really don't like those peat-pellet things... much better just to fill flats and start plants that way.

3/9/2012 4:39:50 AM

Newville, PA

Yes, I now know to stay away from the peat pellets....They have been trouble from the beginning. Next year I will just start from starter mix in flats. Thanks everyone for all the great information.

3/9/2012 6:26:14 AM