Vegetables FAQ - Edgewater

What is ‘dampening off’?

This condition is caused by several fungi such as Phtophtora and Pythium. These fungi live at the soil line, just where air meets the moist soil surface.

When your potting soil is kept continuously moist by overwatering, the fungi attack your seedlings. The telltale symptom is a constricted stem, just at or below the soil surface. Once seedlings are infected, they tend to fall over at the soil line.

What is a “soil-less” potting mix?

Soil less mixes are just what they say they are….in essence..dirt with no dirt. Always use a soil less mix when potting houseplants, or a soil less seed starting mix, which is ground more finely than your normal soil, which makes it easier for the little seedlings to come through.