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Damping off

How to avoid 'damping off' problems with seedlings

Updated over 2 years ago

Damping off is common when humidity is high, especially if seedlings are too close together and airflow is restricted.

There are a few things that can be done to avoid this:

  • Avoid sowing too thickly, and thin seedlings to their recommended spacings soon after germination

  • If sowing under cover (e.g. in a greenhouse or cold frame) keep it well-ventilated to improve airflow

  • Never reuse pots (especially if seedlings grown in them have suffered from damping off) without thoroughly cleaning and drying them first

  • Avoid overwatering - the potting mix should be allowed to almost dry out completely before watering again

  • Sometimes rainwater collected in rain barrels can contain pathogens that cause damping off, so make sure that rain barrels are kept covered, and are cleaned at least once a year. It may be preferable to use mains water for seedlings if possible instead.

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