2

I have successfully germinated 10 lettuce seeds from a tissue and transplanted them into a pot. They grew more and showed new leaves, but after some time I noticed that their stem from the base started to turn brown and become thinner.

I googled it and I confirmed that my lettuce seedlings experienced what they called damping off. I read about how to prevent it and many said that the soil must be baked in an oven or sprayed with some anti-fungal, but that's not advisable because it may be toxic to plants and to people. The problem is that we don't have an oven to use and even if we have, my mother will not allow that method.

The next possible thing I can do is to let the soil dry from the sun but I don't if it's OK to do that, or are there other alternatives to prevent damping off from occurring again?

Improve this question
6
  • I grow lettuce from seeds and have not encountered that problem. I plant the seeds directly in the soil. Any particular reason you are germinating the seeds from a tissue?
    – JStorage
    Jun 10, 2016 at 1:14
  • I lived in the philippines and the lettuce do not usually grow in tropical countries.
    – SilverRay
    Jun 10, 2016 at 1:18
  • It might be helpful if you tell us what exactly you're trying to do. Where are you planting the seeds after they germinate in the towel? What type of soil? Why not do it directly in the soil? The more details the better help you will get.
    – OrganicLawnDIY
    Jun 10, 2016 at 1:36
  • You should be germinating in sterile seed raising mix.
    – Graham Chiu
    Jun 10, 2016 at 6:18
  • Potting mix is the only available soil mix that the store have....
    – SilverRay
    Jun 10, 2016 at 7:45

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

There are a number of herbs and spices such as cinnamon, carnation, garlic, thyme and more that have shown effectiveness in preventing damping-off disease. You can see the results of a study here.

The extracts were more effective than just the spice powder but the spice powder had some effectiveness and is more readily available.

I've had some plants with issues with damping off in the past but none since I started using cinnamon.

Lettuce seeds are usually small and you tend to get a lot of them. You might have better success either sowing them directly where you plan to grow them or grow them in some potting mix and wait until they get bigger before you transplant them. Might be better off trying it that way instead of using a towel.

Improve this answer
6
  • Did you use cinnamon extract or the powder is ok? How did you applied it in the soil? mix in water or mix in soil?
    – SilverRay
    Jun 10, 2016 at 1:44
  • @SilverRay I use the powder. On bigger seeds I may sprinkle some on the seeds before sowing but most of the time just sprinkle on the surface. Once the plants start coming up outs important there's good air circulation too.
    – OrganicLawnDIY
    Jun 10, 2016 at 2:17
  • This study indicates some (unspecified) phytotoxic effects for cinnamon on banana fruit in oil form at least. But it certainly doesn't seem to be worse than the fungus. fspublishers.org/published_papers/98263_..pdf
    – user10810
    Jun 10, 2016 at 9:07
  • Thanks for the answer I tried it and it really works.....
    – SilverRay
    Jun 13, 2016 at 0:44
  • @SilverRay glad I could help. How did you wind up doing it? Fix you use the towel method again?
    – OrganicLawnDIY
    Jun 13, 2016 at 0:48
0

Using heat to eradicate soil-borne plant pathogens from nursery potting media ("soil sterilization") Oomycetes, including the fungi that cause damping off, can be killed by treating soil at 120°F (49°C).

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.