Mould?

[ina]

The surfaces of my precious seed trays are developing greyish spots. Nothing alarming yet, but I'm wondering whether that's mould - and what can I do about it? They are re-used fruit containers with added drainage holes; that is, they've never had compost in them before, so should be reasonably clean. The compost is a mix of low fertility general compost (we have about a ton of that, no label, of course - so I don't know exactly what's in it), and sand. I've covered the trays with yet more fruit boxes to keep the moisture in, and they are in a reasonably, but not very warm place (windowsill in office).

Any ideas? I don't want to lose my tomatoes and peppers before they've even germinated!

[Shirley]

Not sure Ina... but it doesn't sound good mate.

Perhaps too much moisture in a cold setting... How deep are they? Would that even make a difference.

Were the containers washed out?? Could the mould (if that is what it is) have come from something on the fruit that was in them previously??

[Wombat]

G'Day Guys,

Generally, anything used for propagation should be sterilized before use using dettol or other antiseptic fluid. Another thing tp watch is air movement, still, moist air favours mould so you may need to look at your storage area!

Nev

[ina]

You are, of course, so right about sterilizing... I did wash the containers, though. But I've now opened them up, and I'll have to put them in an even warmer place (top of the radiator, I think - it's not hot, only warm). I often get a bit of mould on house plants in winter, but they can take it, once they are big enough.

Would a light dousing with a drop or two of tea tree oil in it harm the seeds, do you think?

[Wombat]

Might be worth a go............

Nev

[ina]

Keep fingers crossed - and I've got a whole pile of trays soaking in the sink now, with the Dettol bottle prominently next to it! I promise never to cut corners again when sowing .

[Andy Hamilton]

Keep fingers crossed - and I've got a whole pile of trays soaking in the sink now, with the Dettol bottle prominently next to it! I promise never to cut corners again when sowing .

I did last year and had trouble with compost fly, the flies are pretty harmless it seems but the larva eats all the roots. Lost loads to the little b*stards.

[ina]

You've convinced me! I won't do it again!!!

I've just cleaned all the accessible surfaces of those trays, including the drip trays underneath (because they were covered in the grey fur, too), and have sprayed it all with a light tea tree oil solution. I shall now keep my eye on this and, if necessary, repeat at regular intervalls... Could have had that easier by being less of a dirty little b*** in the first place. Well, we live to learn. Once I've stopped learning, I'll know I'm dead.

[Wombat]

Good luck Ina, I hope everything goes well!

Nev