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Spring in the BasementRead the article this discussion is about
This archived discussion is "read only". « Previous 1 2 Next » » Barb_Dorsett - Carol, Have you tried mixing cinnamon into your potting mixtu Carol,Have you tried mixing cinnamon into your potting mixture or sprinkling it on the surface? Cinnamon is supposed to have fungicide properties. Another option is Joyce Schilling's chamomile tea solution (spraying the seedling with chamomile tea). Barb in Southern Indiana Midwest Gardener -- posted by Barb_Dorsett » Cottage_Garden - Carol -- do you start with a fresh clean bag of soil mix each s Carol -- do you start with a fresh clean bag of soil mix each spring? I discovered stuff I had held over in less than perfect storage did tend to promote scuzz -- compared to a freshly opened bale. I also never leave it sitting around premoistened; I mix what I can use in the next few hours only.Barbara Martin -- posted by Cottage_Garden » CarolWallace - Yes to all of the above. I went through a whole spice jar of cin Yes to all of the above. I went through a whole spice jar of cinnamon last year, and when that didn't do well used chamomile tea on the next batch. And my husband is always getting mad because I insist on new bags of soil every time -- so I have started using the old ones in gardening projects so he doesn't notice.I think your original idea about bad vibes in the basement is right, Barbara. Carol virtually gardening-- posted by CarolWallace » Barb_Dorsett - Is an exorcism out of the question? Have you considered Feng Sh Is an exorcism out of the question? Have you considered Feng Shui possibilities?Barb in Southern Indiana Midwest Gardener -- posted by Barb_Dorsett » CarolWallace - Exorcism??? Hmmm. Jason Miller, of "The Exorcist" fame, lives d Exorcism??? Hmmm. Jason Miller, of "The Exorcist" fame, lives down the road apiece; perhaps he could give me some pointers. Or I could just give up and only start things in late spring when they can go right to the cold frame. Or give up seed starting until the greenhouse is finally built -- if it's ever built. Carol virtually gardening-- posted by CarolWallace » Linda - Boy, Carol, that is puzzling. I have never had a damping off pr Boy, Carol, that is puzzling. I have never had a damping off problem. Now that I've said that I'll probably loose every seedling this spring. We have a rather damp basement, but no problem with this. Try spraying the area around your growing area with a diluted bleach spray? This might be worth trying. Maybe try a differnt brand of seed starter, etc.?My light system is not a lovely as Mary's. I have a door suspended from the basement rafters by dog chains with lights above it. Then I have another old door (these are from a house we used to have) on saw horses beneath the higher one. Lights are suspended from the chains holding the first door up. Then I have lights under the second door lighting the floor space. It's rather ugly, but there is no place I'd rather be in February. I use the cheapest flourescent bulbs in the cheapest shop light fixtures I can find and they work well. I am not going for bloom though. Just growing the seedlings, until they can go out and harden off. Linda Mazar -- posted by Linda » Barb_Dorsett - Carol, Do you have a gas furnace? Natural gas can cause prob Carol,Do you have a gas furnace? Natural gas can cause problems with seedlings, too. Barb in Southern Indiana Midwest Gardener -- posted by Barb_Dorsett » CarolWallace - Yes, Barb -- as a matter of fact we have a gas furnace -- althou Yes, Barb -- as a matter of fact we have a gas furnace -- although not in the same room as the seed table. Close, though. Maybe that's it! Carol virtually gardening-- posted by CarolWallace » TomB_2 - Have you considered that the ph of the water you use on the seed Have you considered that the ph of the water you use on the seedlings might promote damp- off? Best to add one tablespoon of cider vinegar to one gallon of luke warm water. (I use plastic milk jugs and keep them sealed so that unused water doesn/t get contaminated. The owner of Arrowhead Alpines recommends battery acid for this purpose, but for home use I wouldn't mess with it!)-- posted by TomB_2 » CarolWallace - Thanks for the suggestion, Tom. My water tests perfectly neutral Thanks for the suggestion, Tom. My water tests perfectly neutral, so if more acidic is better, than vinegar might be a good solution.However, the mysterious fact remains that my seedlings almost never damp off if I start them elsewhere in the house. Only in that basement. Trouble is, that's the only place where I really have room for the right lighting setup. Carol virtually gardening -- posted by CarolWallace « Previous 1 2 Next » Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
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