[chickpeacurry]

I sewed some early seeds and had problems with water supply.  I used some water from a old butt and it had alot of green moss/alge in.  The tops of the plants have a green cover.  I am worried about using them after reading about the salmenella issues from dirty water.  I have re sewed some of the seeds and scrapped off the green on others.  I have learnt my lesson and if water not available on site I will bring it from home.  Water on recently turned on.  I have read so many different views on this very confused and not sure what to do.  The leeks I had growing had a green coating on.  I have re-potted them all and hope they will be okay.  Advice please       

[mumofstig]

It's not a good idea to water seedling from a waterbutt as it may introduce fungus and cause damping off.

It won't however introduce Salmonella. This comes from infected animals, meat, or water which has been polluted with animal or human faeces I believe.

[Trillium]

Sounds like the greenhouse would benefit from a bit more air flow to minimize the green algae/mold problems. As for the green on plants, most could be gently scraped off at planting time.

[Dave Mack]

It won't however introduce Salmonella. This comes from infected animals, meat, or water which has been polluted with animal or human faeces I believe.

You could get Salmonella in Tomatoes
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/11/22/calgary-krown-tomatoes-recalled.html

[Totty]

Water from a butt will be fine for growing on plants past seedling, but don't water the foliage. Water from below if poss and improve ventilation as much as possible.

Totty

[mumofstig]

It won't however introduce Salmonella. This comes from infected animals, meat, or water which has been polluted with animal or human faeces I believe.

You could get Salmonella in Tomatoes
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/11/22/calgary-krown-tomatoes-recalled.html

yes, but only because they were watered with 'dirty' water - like the cucumber and salad scares last year 

[Dave Mack]

It won't however introduce Salmonella. This comes from infected animals, meat, or water which has been polluted with animal or human faeces I believe.

You could get Salmonella in Tomatoes
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/11/22/calgary-krown-tomatoes-recalled.html

yes, but only because they were watered with 'dirty' water - like the cucumber and salad scares last year 

Right thanks for that Lesley   

[hightide]

Green algae can also form where seed trays are over watered even when using tap water, which is always recommended for seeds/seedlings. It depends a lot on what compost is in use, I find the peat free stuff is very prone to algae; water from below and just enough to keep the bottom of the tray or pots moist. Where I did get it on some onion seeds this year, they have transplanted ok so I think the wind and dry surface soil have effectively dealt with this type of algae. I don't think there is any harm, as long as we peel or wash fruit and veg before eating it raw.
Incidentally, when I was at sea we had to discharge any fresh water ballast at sea before entering port or estuaries, the authorities around North America were very worried about disease entering the food chain through animals feeding on algal bloom; apparently algae can absorb some very nasty micro organisms.