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Delaware, Ohio

I have started 3 different sets of test seeds and finally have a sprout, the other two sets didn't take at all. I started the sprouts in peat pellets and placed them in a dish and covered them with plastic. I may have some root growth, but I also have white mold on the seed shell. Is that a bad thing? Next week I am going to start the "real thing" and I don't want mold. Any help would be appreciated.

4/15/2007 2:37:46 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

It sounds like they are too wet. I hope the Peat pellets weren't sitting in water. Were they? Once the cots emerge you can start opening the plastic a little bit at a time.

4/15/2007 2:36:53 PM

Gays Mills,WI

You may want to place dish in a warmer area

4/15/2007 4:15:41 PM

Syracuse, NY

i would say forget the plastic (!).
the peat pellets are more than amply moist enough
for several days' duration, at LEAST until the seeds are
sprouted. only once the surface of the peat pellet
itself starts to turn OBVIOUSLY to its original color should it be wetted again,
and generally speaking, to do this,
it is okay to "ebb and tide", or,
partially fill the saucer or whatever for a few minutes,
but then drain off any excess water.
additionally, fungus and mold do not like to become dry,
so, i personally have a Martha St-w--t-type of oscillating,
desktop fan running on LOW aimed right at my tomato plants and my test AGs. this keeps the fungus or whatever it is called "Damping-Off Disease" from forming and killing anything in its path. however, precautions must be taken to prevent a worse evil from showing itself...dryness!
so, keep some plastic around the dish or saucer but allow
it to blow-up a little every time the fan blows its weigh.
these steps i feel will minimize the chance of problems. eg

4/19/2007 7:31:34 PM

Syracuse, NY

ps----the mold on the SEED SHELL might be
a reactivated mold that was on the seed
from when it was harvested from the original
pumpkin. it would be a good idea to remove the seed
shells as soon as the seeds do come up.

maybe someone else will agree or disagree;
if it is a common problem for the seeds you are using
you could soak the seeds in straight-from-Kmart
3% Hydrogen Peroxide for about 10 minutes or so just before
planting them. this would feasibly kill the fungus-to-be.
i do not think you need to rinse it off. eg

4/19/2007 7:36:55 PM