4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[sambee]

I sowed some windowsill herbs a couple of weeks back, basil, parsley and chives but I've noticed white fungus or mould (I'm not to familiar with my bacteria to know what it is) appear round some of the places i sowed the seeds. Only one set of the herbs has sprouted, which surprised me, 'cause I thought I'd done it to early. It might be the chives but then again I don't know, 'cause silly me forgot to label them. I've also thrown away the instructions so I don't know how often i should water them etc.

Please help silly ol' me!

[Redwing]

It sounds like you may have been watering too much - could that be the case?

 

Did you use fresh compost or stuff from the garden?

[Tiggy]

sounds as if the compost was too wet

[Redwing]

If you suspect overwatering may be the case try again but this time, stand the seedtray in water and let it get soaking wet right up to the surface, take it out of the water and let it drain, sow your seeds and then leave it alone (tie hands behind back if necessary) only water again when the compost is pretty dry

 

The normal warning time for overwatering is when the seeedlings are an inch or so high, they can collapse if watered too much so be careful then too!

 

I think its the temptation is to think that the water makes it grow so if we water lots they will grow quicker (not a criticism - I do this all the time!)

 

Good luck with the next batch

[chickencam]

Do you take them off the window sill at night?

 

With the cold weather we have been having it there could be too much temperature change at night. Basil particularly likes a temperature not less than about 16-18 degrees to germinate and it does chill easily.

 

Both parsley and chives take a long time to germinate even in the warmer months.

[sambee]

All the herbs have at least one plant germinated now but I don't think I have over watered them as I only watered them once when i first planted the seeds. It was one of those packages see, it came with the little compost parcels that expand when you add the water. I did what it said and let them soak in the water for about ten minutes and then drained it.

Is there anyway I can get rid of this white stuff, the plants seem to be growing now, it's just this stuff looks unsightly (what is it?)

[Tiggy]

we need a picture, it could be some sort of fungus

[sambee]

A photo I can do tomorrow.

 

Also my aloe vera has been droopy for ages now, and I swear it's not supposed to look like that. I haven't watered it in absolutely ages now, do I just need to hold out?

 

&do you think my venus fly trap will want to germinate this time of year?

 

The only plant I do have that may be okay is my peace lilly, but I'm still a bit touch and go with that.

[Redwing]

If you kill the peace lily hang up your gardening gloves!

 

Aloe vera's are tricky, they look like they are dying so you water them and they die anyway! try moving it somewhere warmer and lighter if you havent already tried that. Stick a skewer right down in the pot (away from the roots) and pull it out to see whether it is dry right through - if it is water from the bottom not the top.

 

your venus fly trap seeds may germinate at this time of year if you sow them on moist compost or coir and keep them warm, keep the humidity up and be prepared to wait ages for signs of life - it could be months. Before sowing you need to put the seeds in the fridge for a while - at least a month I would say if you havent already done this as you need to break down the seed germinating prevention stuff (thats the science bit!) in the seeds so you have to fake a winter and the warmth when you sow will fake the spring and make them grow! (this is not the case for all seeds)

[Tara.F]

The white mould is really nothing to worry about

It often happens on compost at this time of year, I think it is deposits from tapwater hanging around on the surface and I doubt it will hurt your plants (it's never hurt mine anyway). The best way to prevent/hide it is to sprinkle a little vermiculite on the surface (maybe half a centimetre thick)

 

Your aloe will be sulking due to low light levels. Since there's not a lot of natural sunlight about at the moment there is little you can do. Just keep it out of draughts, don't over water and maybe treat it to a TINY dose of baby bio.

When you come to repot it mix a little sand in with the compost.

 

Not sure about the venus flytrap germinating....do know they like to be very wet though....and like goldfish, are more often killed by too much care rather than too little. They simply thrive on neglect

[sambee]

SO overall I have plants on my hand that need little care, and I could smother them if I'm too careful.

 

I had to read your post a couple of times Redwing before i understood it but I do now. I haven't done this however, so I will have to wait for it to get naturally warmer. I do not mind, as long as it lives

 

Thank you for these helps.