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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Root die off in seedlings

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  • From: "Wiediger, Alison" <alison.wiediger AT hart.kyschools.us>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Root die off in seedlings
  • Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:08:51 +0000

Title: Root die off in seedlings

Marlin,

 

When this has happened to us, it is typically fungus gnat larvae eating the roots.  The fungus gnats are very small, black flying insects that lay eggs in the media.  IF it is fungus gnats, you can usually see the larvae, may need a magnifying glass.  They are transparent/white with a black head and usually near the roots.  Dig up a yellowing plant and look closely.   We use yellow sticky traps as indicator for the adults.   Gnatrol, a Bt product, as a soil drench will help.

 

Alison Wiediger, Au Naturel Farm

 

From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Marlin Burkholder
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2014 8:54 AM
To: Market Farming
Subject: [Market-farming] Root die off in seedlings

 


What causes seedlings to germinate satisfactorily in ordinary general purpose potting mix, grow to about one inch and gradually turn yellow and stop growing.  Upon checking the plants  a week or two later I find little or no roots.  I fertilized with a modest amount of Plant Tone mixed into the mix when I hydrated it.  I bottom water and do not think I am watering excessively.  This has happened intermittently other years when I mixed worm castings into the mix or used already prepared organic mixes which didn’t require initial fertilization.  I would think that after 25 years of plant starting experience I would have stopped making the mistakes that cause this!





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