How to get rid of mold on seedlings: recommendations

Unfortunately, mold is a frequent travel companion for young seedlings. It can appear both on the plants themselves and on the soil around them. Many gardeners are at a loss, why indoor flowers, standing next to the windowsill, do not suffer from mold - there is not even a trace there, and nearby growing seedlings are simply suffocating from a white mold cover?

The fact is that adult plants with a developed root system can produce special substances that can resist mold. But young growth, with virtually no roots, cannot fight mold spores.

Where does mold come from?

The smallest doses of mold are everywhere - in the earth, water, air. There are several ways in which mold can reach your seedlings.

A lot of fungus in the soil. Therefore, before disembarkation, it must first be sterilized. This can be done easily by placing the earth for a while in a hot oven. You can disinfect the soil by holding it for half an hour in a water bath - this is also very effective.

But even sterilized soil can be infected by mold. Where, you ask? The fact is that the spores of the fungus can be in the water with which you water the seedlings, and even in the air. However, the growth and development of mold occurs only in certain conditions.

Under what conditions does mold develop?

There are some factors that create favorable living conditions for mold. To defeat mold, it must be deprived of these factors.

1. Cold. If the temperature in the room does not rise above 20 degrees, this is on the mold. Create favorable conditions for seedlings, and not for fungus - increase the air temperature in the room.
2. Dampness. A large amount of water not only favors the development of the fungus, but also destroys the crops. Before landing, do not forget about the drainage holes, which will help excess moisture to come out.
3. Lack of ultraviolet light. Everyone knows that ultraviolet is a natural antiseptic that can kill mold and mildew spores. But few know that an ordinary glass window does not let in ultraviolet rays, leaving them outside. From time to time, place a container with seedlings in the open air to get rid of mold.
4. Acidity. High acidity or high peat content is a favorable environment for the development of mold. Before planting, reduce the acidity of the soil by watering it with hydrated lime.

Often mold develops in unventilated spaces, especially when seedlings are covered with a film. To avoid this, you need to regularly open the "greenhouse" so that air circulates there.

How to get rid of mold on seedlings

Mold is bad enough for seedlings - it can penetrate the seed and destroy it from the inside. To cope with the mold that has already appeared on seedlings and on the soil, a number of resuscitation measures are needed.

1. First you need to carefully remove the mold from the top of the soil. This can be done with a simple spoon.
2. After that, you need to make several holes in the soil with a stick or a regular pencil. So the soil dries faster.
3. Then the container with seedlings should be placed in a warm, well-ventilated place.
4. If there are no drainage holes in the dishes, they must be made immediately. Only everything must be done carefully so as not to damage the seedlings.
5. After a few days, when the soil dries, it must be treated with phytosporin. This is a special tool that can protect young plants from decay, bacteriological and fungal diseases.

Subsequently, after the adopted set of measures, it must be remembered that seedlings should not be poured, it may die.

How to deal with mold

There are several other effective methods that will help you get rid of mold on seedlings.

1. As noted, mold is often an indication that soil acidity is elevated. This can be corrected, even in the process of growing seedlings. Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of ash in a liter of hot water and wait until the next day. After a day, pour the earth with the prepared solution.
2. If there is no ash at hand, you can use baking soda instead. A liter of water will need half a teaspoon.
3. To prevent mold, you can sprinkle the surface of the soil with river pebbles. However, they are preliminarily calcined in the oven so that no infection remains on them. Instead of pebbles, charcoal can be used - its properties resist mold.
4. If you use only home remedies, then instead of charcoal, you can safely sprinkle soil with activated charcoal.
5. Ventilate seedlings regularly - they should be in the open air for at least half of the time.
6. If you poured seedlings, leave it without a film for 3-4 days, until it is completely dry.
7. Loosen the soil regularly so that air circulates in it.
8. Among the professional mold control agents in seedlings, Mikosan can be noted. This biofungicide can be used for plants grown at home, the main thing is to follow the instructions and proportions. Mikosan not only kills mold, it develops resistant immunity from pests in plants. In addition, it is an excellent natural growth stimulator.

If you are only going to plant seedlings, you need to take care of this problem in advance. Pre-determine the acidity of the soil, and if it is elevated, reduce it with improvised means. Also, seeds must be soaked before planting in potassium permanganate or diluted aloe juice. This will protect them from possible spores, bacteria, infections.

Mold on seedlings is not a sentence. And this does not mean that the plants can no longer be saved. Although mold is harmful, it is quite possible to get rid of it. The main thing is to act competently and consistently. Take care of your seedlings and get a good harvest!

Video: why mold appears on seedlings and what to do with it