Seedlings Wilting In Half

[JUSTJR27]

I have grown alot of plants from seeds but have never seen anything like this my seedlings are bending over & their stems where are bent are getting skinnier than the rest of the stem. I have proped them up with tooth picks hopefully they will make it. They are in rockwool. What is causing this ?

 

[PrairieBoy]

Damping Off-

Damping off is the term used for a number of different fungus-caused ailments that can kill seeds or seedlings before or after they germinate.

The term is used most often in horticulture, where seeds are specifically planted to be germinated, especially if in warm, wet conditions which speed growth but are considered conducive to fungal attacks.

Symptoms

A given seed can become infected with a fungus, often causing it to darken and soften. This can kill it before the seedling emerges, or cause the seedling to be weak, sometimes getting "wet" patches on it which decay until it falls apart.

Likewise, a seedling can be infected after it sprouts, before it leaves the ground, or even after it appears well-developed, the latter often resulting in the plant mysteriously thinning right where it touches the ground, until its stem at that point rots and it falls over.

Causes

A number of different fungi cause these problems, including:
Botrytis, also known as "grey mould".
Macrophomina phaseoli
Phytophthora
Pythium
Rhizoctonia solani
Sclerotium rolfsii
Thielaviopsis


Prevention

Damping off can be prevented in many different ways, including germination in drier conditions with better air circulation (but this slows germination), starting seedlings in sterilized soil, and/or spraying the soil with an anti-fungal known to work for this purpose, either a commercial one or a homemade solution, such as one made from chamomile tea or garlic


Seed borne disease can also be avoided by soaking the seeds for 15 minutes in a bleach soak (one teaspoon per quart of water) prior to sowing.

This can affect any medium ...not just soil.
Hope to be of help'
ps...I like to soak 3-5 cinnamon sticks in R/O water for couple days and then put the water in a spray bottle and spray around base of seedlings (try not to get any on the sprout) ...you could sprinkle cinnamon powder lightly on top of medium and water it in (again dont get it on the sprout).

 

[JUSTJR27]

Thanks PrairieBoy I have never heard of this & this is the first time it happens to me. I have other seedlings doing well, Can this affect them to

Damping Off-

Damping off is the term used for a number of different fungus-caused ailments that can kill seeds or seedlings before or after they germinate.

The term is used most often in horticulture, where seeds are specifically planted to be germinated, especially if in warm, wet conditions which speed growth but are considered conducive to fungal attacks.

Symptoms

A given seed can become infected with a fungus, often causing it to darken and soften. This can kill it before the seedling emerges, or cause the seedling to be weak, sometimes getting "wet" patches on it which decay until it falls apart.

Likewise, a seedling can be infected after it sprouts, before it leaves the ground, or even after it appears well-developed, the latter often resulting in the plant mysteriously thinning right where it touches the ground, until its stem at that point rots and it falls over.

Causes

A number of different fungi cause these problems, including:
Botrytis, also known as "grey mould".
Macrophomina phaseoli
Phytophthora
Pythium
Rhizoctonia solani
Sclerotium rolfsii
Thielaviopsis


Prevention

Damping off can be prevented in many different ways, including germination in drier conditions with better air circulation (but this slows germination), starting seedlings in sterilized soil, and/or spraying the soil with an anti-fungal known to work for this purpose, either a commercial one or a homemade solution, such as one made from chamomile tea or garlic


Seed borne disease can also be avoided by soaking the seeds for 15 minutes in a bleach soak (one teaspoon per quart of water) prior to sowing.

This can affect any medium ...not just soil.
Hope to be of help'
ps...I like to soak 3-5 cinnamon sticks in R/O water for couple days and then put the water in a spray bottle and spray around base of seedlings (try not to get any on the sprout) ...you could sprinkle cinnamon powder lightly on top of medium and water it in (again dont get it on the sprout).

 

[PrairieBoy]

I feel you man...The disease is airborne and can spread quickly from one seed tray to another. The fungal spores take root in your medium, and quickly spreads across the seed tray, jumping to other trays with ease. I would take the preventative approach and treat all seedlings with a natural fungicide like cinnamon, and if I may suggest misting the plant with Chamomile tea as a preventative measure also.
Controlling the disease is a matter of removing the environment that Damping Off disease thrives in.

** Use clean, sterilized containers.

** Provide plenty of air circulation.

Tip: Use a small fan and direct a gentle breeze across the room. The important word here is "gentle"

** Thin seedlings to increase air circulation.

** Provide as much light as possible.

** Let the surface of the medium dry out between watering. Watering from the bottom is preferred.

** Don't leave your seedling trays in the basement. Basements are perfect breeding grounds.

** Don't overwater plants.

** Do not use fertilizer on your new seedlings.

** Don't use tray covers. While it is a popular practice to use them, they increase the humidity level and encourage disease growth.

With a little leg/finger work...you will find plenty of info online that will help you better understand what you are dealing with.

Hope this helps JUSTJR27

 

[TylerDurden119]

is there anyway to save em once they got it?

 

[PrairieBoy]

Seedlings with damping-off will die and cannot be saved. Proper prevention is the only way to avoid problems with this disease...sorry bro.