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View Full Version : How to stop root rot?


Java16
05-19-2009, 03:39 PM
I have a lot of ensete v. seedlings coming up as well as some musa beccarii. However, a lot of them are getting root rot and dying. They are in pure peat moss, the temperatures are warm, and I am not over watering them. What can I do?:2722:

Patty in Wisc
05-19-2009, 04:51 PM
Peat holds water. I'd mix perlite in - 50/50. Also, try watering them from the bottom. Too much moisture around the stem will cause damping off.

just j
05-19-2009, 08:18 PM
yeah get them out of that peat and dont water them too much

Magilla Gorilla
05-20-2009, 12:14 AM
Peat holds water. I'd mix perlite in - 50/50. Also, try watering them from the bottom. Too much moisture around the stem will cause damping off.

Patty is right on! I plant everything with perlite. Home depot sells 3.5 cu yrd bags very cheap.

Chironex
05-20-2009, 01:05 AM
It actually sounds like they are damping off. Sprinkle some powdered cinnamon on them as they sprout. Also, the perlite works well for drainage, but I don't think that's the problem. Do they turn brown at the base of the seedling and then constrict? If so, that is damping off.

Java16
05-20-2009, 10:46 AM
It actually sounds like they are damping off. Sprinkle some powdered cinnamon on them as they sprout. Also, the perlite works well for drainage, but I don't think that's the problem. Do they turn brown at the base of the seedling and then constrict? If so, that is damping off.

Yes, I believe they are damping off. That sounds interesting. Do you know what's in the cinnamon or what it does, that prevents damping off?

Tog Tan
05-20-2009, 11:29 AM
Java, Ensete sdlgs are very sensitive to water or a clogged media when newly germinated or when young. Like the folks say, use a porous mix, definitely not peat moss.

Once you got the mix figured out, always go slow on the water for any newly potted sdlg for at least 3 weeks. All the best.

Lagniappe
05-20-2009, 11:35 AM
I used to use a little peroxide in my watering can and had great success. Nowadays, I get better germination rates with all organic, bacteria/fungi ridden medium but have had some damping off.

Patty in Wisc
05-20-2009, 01:43 PM
There is something in cinnamon (forgot?) that helps w/ plant owies. I learned this reading about orchids - when you cut a bad or rotting part off, rub the wound w/ cinnamon...a plant bandade.
Try to keep those stems dry to prevent damping off. Like I said, I water from the bottom...put container in water to absorb from bottom for roots. It works for me.

Java16
05-20-2009, 09:13 PM
Ok thanks everyone. I will give the cinnamon a try. One more thing, I always thought that peat moss was the best media for seed starting, since it drains well and has a lot of air in it. Would pure perlite be a better choice or should I mix them together? thanks

lorax
05-20-2009, 09:19 PM
I have had great luck germinating in 100% perlite.

Lagniappe
05-20-2009, 09:45 PM
I have had great luck germinating in 100% perlite.

Y'know, I did too. I only did this with tomato, basil and green seeds that were headed into hydroponic sytems but they did great. I can't, for the life of me, figure out why I never did this with seed earmarked for soil. :P