The SCLEROTINIA fungus that causes damping off is present in most soils. It can be transported from place to place by such things as Garden Tools, if you have used a trowel for example , to move potting soil from one area to another. Its primary target are seeds and young seedlings, because as a plant matures ,it becomes much more resistant to this fungus.
When the weather is warm and humid and if the soil is very wet, this sets up the perfect conditions for this fungus to grow. Also if plants are overcrowded, this can also increase the moisture level, so if you should suspect that damping off is a problem, give your plants plenty of air circulation.
The biggest problem is, that usually there are no warning signs that a plant is infected until it is too late, and then nothing really can be done. Prevention is the only cure!
If you live in cooler climates and start your seeds indoors, use fresh sterile potting mix that drains well. A thin layer of sand on the soil surface will help to keep the seedling's stem dry and therefore reduce the chance of damping off. Many gardeners keep a fan blowing gently across the seedlings while they are indoors, to keep air circulation going, this also reduces the humidity around the plants.
When the weather warms up, and the stems have toughened up, you can then transplant the seedlings, as they should be able to withstand the disease. A plant stem toughens with age, but it depends on what kind of plant ,as to how long this may take.
There are sometimes situations where it just is not possible to start seeds indoors.Then you must plant the seeds when the weather conditions are favorible to growing these particular plants. Many people think that they should fertilize young seedlings as soon as they grow, but it is far better to wait until they have produced their first set of TRUE leaves.
Damping-off fungi also thrive in nitrogen rich soil. Make sure that you are watering properly and that the soil drains well. Remember that overwatering can produce the wet conditions that the fungus likes. Good air circulation between plants matters, just as if they had been started indoors. Dusting with peat moss or using a mist of chamomile tea to acidify the surface of the soil, helps to prevent this fungus from growing.
After every use, clean starting pots and flats with a bleach solution , to prevent the spread of the disease if it has been present. Rinse the containers well, to eliminate any bleach residue, and ALWAYS clean your garden tools.
Many fungal diseases can be controlled with fungal sprays. These sprays can be made from simple ingredients, that you may have around the house. Here is one such recipe;
BAKING SODA.
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 gallon water
you can also add a teaspoon of liquid car wax or vegetable oil
Mix thoroughly and spray the infected areas, repeat as necessary.
