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White mold on top of the soil

15 years ago

I have purchased a "biodegradable seed starter" from Terracycle prefilled with a seed starting mix soil in the cells.

When I removed the cellophane, there was white mold here and there, and the soil was kind of wet.

Is it a good idea to go ahead and plant seeds, or I need to discard the whole thing?

Thank you.

~Natalie

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Comments (11)

barefoot_contessa
15 years ago
I was discard it. Once mold is present, it is contaminated.
That's just what I think anyway. Maybe someone else here will have some suggestions for you.

Carrie
anewgarden
15 years ago
I agree, throw them out!
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teequiltbarbie
15 years ago
How about returning it to the store for a refund? Otherwise definately throw it out.
natalie4b
Original Author
15 years ago
I thought it was such a great idea to start seeds in containers already filled with mix... Oh well..
Will have to do it "from scratch".
Thanks everyone for your advise.
agirlsgirl
15 years ago
What about some air circulation and peroxide water(2 tbsp to a quart of water)? Don't ditch it just yet,maybe you can sterilize it in the oven?
morz8 - Washington Coast
15 years ago
Natalie, I haven't used the product so just thinking out loud here after looking it up on their website -

I can applaud the idea, but wonder how efficient. The tray is made of waste paper, and the 'soil' in which to start the seeds pure worm castings. Seeds really don't need anything quite that rich for their humble beginnings, they can pretty much take care of thier own nutrition, and the cells are too small for anything but beginnings. Worm castings alone hold a lot of moisture, the only place I ever use them is in amending beds (as a small part of organic amendments) or sparingly top dressing around a plant.
barefoot_contessa
15 years ago
"Was = would" in my first post. LoL Anyway....
I would think that you would be compromising your seeds by trying to use this now. Until now, I have always started my seeds indoors, or direct sown. Anytime mold was present, a horrible death to the seeds/seedlings was not for behind.

Also, morz8 has some very good points about what your product is made from. If you can't get a refund, I'd just suggest pitching it.
Sorry :-(

Carrie
tiffy_z5_6_can
15 years ago
IMHO and experience.

White mold = no-no.

Green stuff growing on top of soil/mix = OK. Might not get the best germination, but still good to go.
natalie4b
Original Author
15 years ago
I will return it. Would rather not risk the seeds and waste effort and money.
Thank you all!
~Natalie
bakemom_gw
15 years ago
I agree with Tiff. Green Ok - white ack!
jmc7104
15 years ago
So you have seeds in it. Set it outside away from everything else and let mother nature handle it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. You are already out for the seeds , container and soil. Give it a chance. jim

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