Open them up some more, give them some air circulation - fresh air and it should go away even if raining (has stopped raining here). You may have to cover overnight if it turns cold again (not supposed to in the next several days so just watch the forecast).

Ok, will do. Thanks for the quick response!

So...is that what I'm encountering? Mold? Its been pretty wet. Maybe I should add more drainage/air holes if I need to cover them again?

I'm not sure if technically a mold, likely at least a fungi.....most of the time seedlings would grow straight through the white fuzz without any problems. But ... it is a warning to you that conditions are suitable for fungi and that might lead to damping off.
(And damping off is any one of a bunch of fungi, many times you won't see any evidence one is there until the seedlings tip over and lay down.)

It's been wet and mild, not a lot of difference between night and daytime temps - combine that with little air circulation and that white fuzz will grow on a few of the different sowing mediums.

I'd do more air holes if you find you do need to cover. We could be through the worst of our winter - if something unusual shows up in February and you think your seedlings are too exposed, there is always a large sheet of plastic, old tablecloth, things you can do to protect them again temporarily if needed. But they don't need protection in this 45-55 range we've been in the last several days and moving air is going to keep them healthy and sturdy both.

I'm so close to the ocean we are constantly damp where if you are PDX you are a little more dry. My pots, germinated and ungerminated, are uncovered. If I see something that could signal temps into the mid/low 20's, I've got plastic drum liners (clear) that will slip over tired plant carts on my deck :)

Why are you covering them? I just expose my seeds to the weather and let them sprout and grow when it's time. Your weather is a bit more mild than mine (I'm 7b, W. WA).

Unless they're tropicals, they can take it, and probably be all the healthier because of it.

Sue

Why am I covering them? I don't even know. Maybe because I'm new to WS and gardening in general and don't know any better, lol! That, and its still January...I expected more cold weather.

But you all are right. Its been so mild and wet, there seems no need to bother with covers anymore. My old roses and my lilacs are starting to bud. I worry that my Fall-planted bulbs haven't gotten enough "chill-time". What is going on around here? Jeez!

I suppose you folks in colder zones are buried deep in snow, wishing it were almost spring in your area, too. Don't mean to rub it in. I'll have to go out and take some pics soon with my crappy little phone!

Thanks again for the advise!

Steff :)

I think our PNW climate is somewhat unique when it comes to the covers/lids, seems more important where sowers experience dry, dry cold, wind or continuous ice/snow. The English use pot toppings of only grit and I've done it that way since before having a computer (!) And I certainly don't need to water containers :)

I do have to protect from birds sometimes, length of chicken wire or window screen replacement available by the foot from hardware stores.

Steff, I'm not sure I would have suggested it (topless) to you without you trying for yourself first, my mother in Longview and brother in PDX (Raliegh Hills) have less drizzle, overcast than here - so you've tried, and now know to tweak your WS with at least less cover, more air.

Hehe...Yeah. I guess I just had to try it and learn from my mistakes. Not that I consider this one a huge mistake, but I certainly learned how to "tweak" it for my climate.

Although, this year it is unseasonably warm and wet. I'm used to cold, dry, howling winds. Live and learn, I guess!

Thanks again everyone, for all of your help! My little seedlings are exposed to the open air now, and hopefully the fuzz will go away soon. Wow, I guess I had better get moving in my garden. So much to do!

Steff