From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Topsfield, MA

Hi, so I'm practicing germinating pumpkin seeds 4 days ago. I just checked my pumpkin seeds that had roots to them a few days ago, I just lifted a seed up and the root was all damaged ! Brown and wrinkly, I lifted the rest of that had a root on the bottom and same thing, all the the roots to the seeds are done. And The seeds did not sprout yet like the plant there were just roots on these pumpkin seeds. I am very very very worried because I'm afraid my other vegetables down there are damaged. They have been very slow at growing so they may be done too! They may have the same issue Please help with any advice

Thanks -Henry

12/24/2016 10:01:24 AM

Central Illinois

Seeds that had roots, do you mean on paper towels or you had them in soil.

12/24/2016 12:22:52 PM

Topsfield, MA

They where in the soil

12/24/2016 12:25:18 PM

Central NY

What kind of soil?

12/24/2016 1:22:30 PM

BC, Canada

Just guessing here but, it is December; too little light, too wet and to cold is what it sounds like to me. All plants having growing parameters, we can force them outside of the ideal but there is a point at which other life will find that particular ecology more to its liking; such as mould and bacteria and other yuk that will start to find those new roots really tasty.
Bottom heat really helps and make sure it doesn't get too cool. And have air movement.

12/24/2016 1:30:37 PM

Topsfield, MA

Ok, I had a heater mat that I was using, I have these fungus knats that I can't get rid of, could they be the ones that did the damage? I have heard that they go under the soil and eat the roots of the plant

12/24/2016 1:45:51 PM

Bethlehem CT

Henry, what you are describing sounds like " damping off". It is a serious problem for seedlings of all kinds. It is usually brought on by soil that is too wet. Hence the name damping off. You can greatly avoid damping off by using a fresh and sterile soilless growing medium like pro mix or jiffy mix. The mix you are using doesn't sound like it is very good to me, Look for a mix that is specifically for seed starting, not ordinary "potting soil" . Keep the mix moist, but not wet and keep the soil temperature on the warm side (70+ degrees sounds good to me)
I don't think you are losing the seedlings to the fungus gnats, they are more of a symptom of a mix that is too wet and not properly aerated. My guess is that if you make the changes I suggest that you will have success.
One last suggestion would be to dump all the old soil out or at least get it out of the area you are using. By getting it out of the area you should be ridding yourself of your fungus gnats. Start wit fresh clean pots and clean starting mix.

12/24/2016 2:16:52 PM

Wisconsin

If you take a large handful of your potting mix wetted and squeeze it as hard as you possible can, How much water comes out?

12/24/2016 4:44:11 PM

BC, Canada

IF you have fungus gnats they are definitely eating those roots. The larvae are busy little buggers,
Make sure you are using a well draining seed starting mix, Sand if you can't get anything else. Sand and perlite, number 4 mix. Just make sure it drains. Typically people that are having trouble with seeds have them too wet. I love cocoa coir. IT is near impossible to get it too wet.
Here's a good link for info about FG's.
An old treatment is to use hydrogen peroxide and water mix on the surface of the soil, AFTER having let it dry out a bit. In my experience you will continue to have problems until you get rid of the gnats. Depending on how many trays you have planted I would suggest a complete clean out. bleach everything and start over. Better to cut your losses sometimes. We got those gnats in a green house one time and screwed around for months until we figured out it was faster. and cheaper, just to clean it out completely, sanitize and start again.
Good luck

12/24/2016 10:20:53 PM

BC, Canada

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7448.html

forgot to paste in the link

12/24/2016 10:21:42 PM

Home of happy lil plants

Damping off

rootshield/actinovate time

12/25/2016 8:00:43 PM

Central Illinois

I don't think it would be your seeds,but you can get some practice seeds from someone here if you send them a sabe

12/27/2016 3:48:50 PM