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Growing from Seed

Top of soil ( molded )

16 years ago

Hi everyone, I recently sowed some desert rose and wisteria seeds in open cells under grow lights. The desert roses sprouted very fast, The wisteria takes up to three weeks. The wisteria cells are forming a thin layer of what looks like mold right over the top of the seeds. I sowed them 1/4'' deep . ( No mold in the desert rose cells ) The wisteria seed are big, Almost the size of a penny i guess .. My question is is there something i should have used to pre-treat the seeds with, and or the soil? Maybe a home remedy? My plans are to germinate some tree seeds, some of the seeds take up to 3 months to do so. And i don't want molded cells .. Thanks !!

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Comments (3)

wyndyacre
16 years ago
What kind of potting mix did you use Aspin? Is it potting *soil* or a seed starting mix like ProMix that has no soil in it?
How much and often do you water?

Sounds like you may be over watering. You just want the mix to be moist-not too wet. Once the seeds have germinated, you want the top of the mix to dry between waterings.

Or perhaps you are using a potting soil which could have mold spores in it? ProMix or a seed starting mix like it has no soil...it is a sterile mix of peat, perlite and vermiculite.

How were the wisteria seed stored before you planted them? Is it possible they had been kept wet in storage and perhaps developed some mold?
aspin111
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for reply, Its is PRO-MIX .. After reading your reply, I maybe over watering.. I'm waiting a day or so between watering, maybe i'm watering to much when i do water.. The seeds were dry and in great shape, I scuffed the ends up slightly and soaked them in water for 24 hours. The Wisteria has a hard shell coat..
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morz8 - Washington Coast
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aspin, I suspect you are keeping the soil too moist. Some sowers report that watering with chamomile tea, or dusting the top of the soil with cinnamon stops the 'fuzz' if it has started. I will generally top my seed pots with a layer of vermiculite or chick grit, both light enough that seeds push up easily through it but neither make good habitat for algae, mold, mildew and, for those pots you may have around that take months to germinate - moss.

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