|
Home
> Lifestyle > Gardening
> Pests & Problems: |
|
 Discussion
Boards 
Free Newsletter  Shopping Refer this page
Readers TipsAstrology |
|
|
- Fungus Gnat and Damping-Off Control
|
|
By: Arzeena Hamir |
|
|
|
|
Late winter and early spring
is a great time to start seedlings and get the gardening season
underway. Growing your own seedlings from seed is highly rewarding
and can open doors to even more species that are not often found
in garden centers. However, a couple of problems can sometimes
curb the indoor green thumb and seriously affect the success
of growing seedlings. Fungus gnats and damping-off are two afflictions
that commonly affect gardeners. However, before you spend money
on expensive chemicals, the solution to these problems may actually
be much more low cost that you suspect.
Fungus gnats
These tiny, black insects seem innocuous enough as they buzz
over your plants. While the adults rarely cause any problems
to plants, if the young larvae are in large numbers, they can
damage your seedlings. Fungus gnats search out moist soil in
which to lay their eggs. When the eggs hatch, the larvae will
feed on the roots of your plants. Healthy seedlings will often
be able to withstand this feeding but any seedlings that have
small root systems like onions and leeks and those that are showing
symptoms of nutrient stress can be put back quite significantly.
|
The easiest way to prevent fungus
gnats is to water your plants properly. Overwatering, which causes
your potting mix to remain moist for extended periods of time,
seems to attract fungus gnats. If your plants are already infected,
allow the soil to dry out between watering. Alternatively, sprinkle
a ¼" of sand on top of your soil to confuse the adults.
Since the sand drains water quickly, it can sometimes trick the
adults into thinking the soil is dry.
Potting mixes containing peat
seem to be particularly affected by fungus gnats.
If the problem is reoccurring
for you, think about switching from a peat-based mix to one that
only contains perlite and vermiculite. Lastly, if the adult fungus
gnats are bothersome, trap them by making your own sticky trap.
The adults are attracted to the color yellow. Make your own sticky
trap by smearing Vaseline or Tanglefoot on a yellow surface and
hang it up close to where the adults congregate. |
|
Damping-off
Not only will controlling your watering help to prevent fungus
gnats, it will prevent the second most common problem, damping-off.
This condition is caused by several fungi such as Phtophtora
and Pythium. These fungi live at the soil line, just where air
meets the moist soil surface.
When your potting soil is kept continuously moist by overwatering,
the fungi attack your seedlings. The telltale symptom is a constricted
stem, just at or below the soil surface. Once seedlings are infected,
they tend to fall over at the soil line.
As mentioned, allowing the soil surface to dry out will go a
long way in preventing this problem. If, for some reason, your
potting mix remains wet for an extended period of time, look
to your kitchen cabinet to help prevent the disease. Cinnamon
powder is a natural fungicide and has been shown to be particularly
effective against damping-off. In addition, Weak chamomile tea
(after it has cooled) is another natural fungicide.
Ensuring seedling success need not be complicated or expensive.
Controlling your watering and a few home made remedies will go
a long way to guaranteeing healthy seedlings. |
|
|
The Author  |
|
|
|
© Copyright Arzeena Hamir
Arzeena Hamir is an agronomist
and President of Terra
Viva Organics. Grow a healthy, pesticide-free garden for
you and your family. Our site includes organic growing advice,
organic fertilizers, natural pest controls, weekly tips, feature
products, and a monthly newsletter. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Links |
Related Books |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Have a gardening question, soil, trees and shrubs, landscaping, xeroscaping, hydroponics? Trouble with pests on your lawn, garden or trees?. post them here or share your gardening tips...
-
- click for more
|
|
|
|
|
|
