The common cause of damp-off is OVER-watering. Overly wet soil that is kept consistently too wet is ideal for damp off to develop. Keeping soil lightly moist until germination is fine but once germination happens you need to cut back on the watering. And I think you'll find most will agree that watering most any crop even daily, much less 2x a day, is over-watering. ;-) The goal is deep watering (longer period of time) and much less frequently. Depending on where you live and your climate you may easily find that 1x per week is sufficient. Dave

Indeed curious that this happened in TWO plants. The constricted stem at the base makes it looks like these plants were suffering for a long time. This didn't happen suddenly. You might look up Rhizoctania root rot. It's a fungus. A fungicide soil drench is how you get rid of it, but allowing the soil surface to dry may help prevent. If these were in containers, I'd sterilize or dispose of the soil.

Here's what we do to prevent damping off. After I plant the seeds, I use a fungicide. I put a heaping teaspoon of Captan in about a cup of water and shake it up good (it will settle back out). I water the seedling, making sure all of the soil is touched by the fungicide. That usually controls damping off for us. Also, don't keep your seedlings too moist. Once ours go outside (we grow under lights) and they are not sitting in a tray that doesn't drain, we can water them all we want. But when they are in the house in a tray that holds water, they don't like to stay too moist. I would rather they be a little dry than too moist I hope you get your damping off under control. It's really disappointing to see those little seedlings falling over. Nancy

It sounds like you're experiencing some challenges with your hydroponics setup, particularly with your flower seeds. The symptoms you're describing - spindly, long, droopy stems and lack of root growth - could indeed be signs of damping off, which is a fungal disease that affects seedlings. Damping off can be caused by a variety of fungi, including Pythium, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia species. These fungi thrive in conditions where there's excessive moisture and poor air circulation. Here are some steps you can take to prevent this issue in the future: Sterilize Your Equipment: You've already taken this step by washing your water reservoirs with bleachy water, which is great. It's crucial to ensure all your equipment is clean before you start planting. Improve Air Circulation: Good air circulation can help prevent the growth of fungi. If possible, consider adding a small fan to your setup to improve air movement. Control Humidity: High humidity can create an environment conducive to fungal growth. Try to keep the humidity levels in your growing area in check. Avoid Overwatering: Overwatering can lead to excessive moisture, which can promote fungal growth. In a hydroponic setup, this could mean ensuring that your water pumps are not running too frequently or for too long. Use Fungicide: If you continue to have issues with damping off, you might want to consider using a fungicide. There are many products available that are safe for use in hydroponic systems. Healthy Seeds: Ensure that you're starting with healthy, high-quality seeds. Poor quality or old seeds may be more susceptible to diseases. Remember, it's important to monitor your plants closely and adjust your care practices as needed. Hydroponics can be a bit of a learning curve, but with patience and careful observation, you can create a thriving garden. FromHydroponic Harmony to you, may your day be as fruitful as our gardens!