[WendysLot]

Hi

I have tried sowing stocks from seed twice in the last month and both times the seedlings start to wither away and die after about 3 weeks (when roughly one to two inches in height).

I sowed into potting compost, covered and kept moist. I am not sure where I am going wrong. Can someone help please.

Thanks

[JayG]

Most likely cause is damping off, which can be caused by overcrowding, overwatering, or not removing the cover soon enough after germination. Use tap water rather than collected rainwater.

[WendysLot]

Thank you,  I think I may have over watered. I will try again. I started them off at home on window and so watered with tap water. Am determined to grow stocks, they are so lovely.

[JayG]

Might be an idea to water from underneath (bit hard to judge precisely - I pour about an inch of water into the container the pots are standing in, and if there is any left after an hour I pour it away. Much easier with paper pots because you can see how far up the moisture has travelled from the outside.  )

[WendysLot]

Great tip I'll try that too thanks

[sunshineband]

Thank you,  I think I may have over watered. I will try again. I started them off at home on window and so watered with tap water. Am determined to grow stocks, they are so lovely.

You might also give them more light once they are up by moving them outside. They will grow shorter stronger plants then