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Cephalotus seeds damping off
- Thread starter RavnKing
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- ceph cephalotus germinate seeds
I got the seeds growing in plastic pots that are in a small terrarium with a 1/2" of water on the bottom and a fluorescent light that is about 4" above them. The top of the terrarium is open so that the humidity does not get too high. They are planted on top of a peat/sand 1:3 mixture. There seems to be green growth on top of the medium and it seems like fungus or mold is growing on the medium and on the seeds too? How do I stop this?
Cheers,
Ravn
Cheers,
Ravn
It is very difficult to control fungal infections once they've taken hold--prevention is the key. You may try temporarily moving the pot into a less humid place, spray the surface with a fungicide (e.g., Captan), let the medium dry out just a bit, and pray.
As for the green stuff, it is likely algae which can cause problems depending on the species and amount.
In terms of prevention: If the water at the bottom of the terrarium is stagnant, this can promote the growth of water molds/fungi. Sometimes this presents as a "film" or thin layer covering the surface of the water. In any case, in the future you may want to remove most of the water from the terrarium and add just enough to keep the medium constantly moist. You may also wish to apply a quick spray of fungicide (e.g., Captan) to the surface of the medium before dropping the seed, though I've never had to do this myself.
Your method of germinating seed is similar to my own, except i use a plastic tray instead of a terrarium, add just enough water to keep the medium moist, and cover the pots with transparent plastic wrap.
Hope this helps.
As for the green stuff, it is likely algae which can cause problems depending on the species and amount.
In terms of prevention: If the water at the bottom of the terrarium is stagnant, this can promote the growth of water molds/fungi. Sometimes this presents as a "film" or thin layer covering the surface of the water. In any case, in the future you may want to remove most of the water from the terrarium and add just enough to keep the medium constantly moist. You may also wish to apply a quick spray of fungicide (e.g., Captan) to the surface of the medium before dropping the seed, though I've never had to do this myself.
Your method of germinating seed is similar to my own, except i use a plastic tray instead of a terrarium, add just enough water to keep the medium moist, and cover the pots with transparent plastic wrap.
Hope this helps.
The problem with growing them on the windowsill here is that I don't have any windowsills that are deep enough to handle a pot on them. Also it is winter here now and the windows are pretty cold so it would not be warm enough for them there now. I will get them out of the terrarium then and put them in a tray that is not quite as tall as them and that way they will get more air movement. I really would love to see my seeds germinate. I guess I will also need to see if I can buy a couple of mature plants in the spring. I did not buy any new plants this last year other than some new lithops and a new orchid. So I that means that next spring I will have the go ahead from the wife to buy a couple of cephs and some Neps as well. Last year I think I spent about $600 on seeds and plants so that means that I saved $600 this year and can spend it next year.
[b said:
One more thing....just remember to give them time. While some of the seed I've sown have germinated in a couple of weeks, others have taken 4 months! And there are some growers here that have waited a year or more for germination. So if you have the space, you might as well keep the pots....one day you may be surprised by a few seedlings.
PLEASE don't use Captan unless you want your DNA to be in a triple helix instead of the normal double helix. Captan is dangerous stuff. I highly DON'T recommend it. Yes, it's effective. Be sure and use a gas mask and a tyvek hazmat suit if you use it, and I'm serious. Burn the suit and the gas mask afterwards. You can foil damp off by several methods, the easiest being: Air movement ...set up a fan near your seed sowing/seedlings. Just doing that will take care of most of your damping off problems. Aprilh
