Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: helluvatractor on October 06, 2010, 17:22

Title: my veg seedlings are dying
Post by: helluvatractor on October 06, 2010, 17:22

hi, i sowed a few module trays of brassicas in ther greenhouse : purple sprouting, winter cauli , kale etc a couple of weeks ago, the seedlings have come up fine, but i notice about a third have died.

the stem just above the compost has become thin and seedling toppled over. :ohmy:  i'm guessing its because of them being too damp and rotting.

thing is, i have had none of this problem all during spring and summer.  i'm just wondering what i can do to avoid this problem in the future.  i only water when i think they need it,  and i use a general purpose compost which i sieve first. would it be worth mixing some sand in?

any help greatly appreciated, thanks

Title: Re: my veg seedlings are dying
Post by: Yorkie on October 06, 2010, 18:02

It sounds like they have 'damped-off'

See this from the RHS for more info
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=151

Title: Re: my veg seedlings are dying
Post by: mumofstig on October 06, 2010, 18:06

just make sure that the compost is barely damp. At this time of year they need very little in the way of water.
Have you got windows open so that there is some air movement?

But aren't you sowing these a bit late for them to do anything  :unsure:

Title: Re: my veg seedlings are dying
Post by: DD. on October 06, 2010, 18:08

Quote from: mumofstig on October 06, 2010, 18:06

But aren't you sowing these a bit late for them to do anything  :unsure:

Beat me to it!

Title: Re: my veg seedlings are dying
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 06, 2010, 20:27

I'd say they were too late too.  Over wintering brassicas should be set out by now to establish a root system before the cold wether starts.