tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472785873062748776.post8800835705149446298..comments2023-09-29T14:07:40.528+02:00Comments on Kitchen Garden in France: Update last weekend in April ‘08Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09409890570579989612noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472785873062748776.post-48729012969174383342008-05-02T20:12:00.000+02:002008-05-02T20:12:00.000+02:00Damping off is only a problem when starting seedli...Damping off is only a problem when starting seedlings indoors, so to put the used soil in the compost to be used later in the garden is no problem.<BR/><BR/>Almost no plant diseases are killed by composting, so if you ever have any other diseased plant materials you should never put them in the compost.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472785873062748776.post-58937797590501294332008-05-02T12:36:00.000+02:002008-05-02T12:36:00.000+02:00Thanks again Patrick,The dirt from used pots etc g...Thanks again Patrick,<BR/>The dirt from used pots etc goes out ont o the compost heap where it won't get reused for about 2 years. Is that ok?<BR/>I have been washing pots etc but not using bleach so I shall give everything a good clean with a drop of bleach added to the water and see if things improve. IThe more I think about it and from what you have described, I think maybe it's damping off problems as well and I suspect that simply washing things in water is not enough so bleach it is. Thanks again.Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09409890570579989612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472785873062748776.post-28727908591204774682008-05-02T11:12:00.000+02:002008-05-02T11:12:00.000+02:00Hi Ian,I would at least suspect you might be havin...Hi Ian,<BR/><BR/>I would at least suspect you might be having some damping off problems.<BR/><BR/>When I start seeds indoors, I can usually get away with them sitting in water on the bottom of the tray for at least 2-3 days without any problems. In this way, I can typically water once a week or so. This might be different for you, because your climate may be very different.<BR/><BR/>Anytime a plant dies for any reason, there is a risk it was infected with something and it's always important not to reuse the dirt and to sterilize the container before reusing.<BR/><BR/>I would at least suggest paying more attention to hygiene, and see if that reduces some of the problems you are having.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472785873062748776.post-83400754467203322022008-05-01T21:22:00.000+02:002008-05-01T21:22:00.000+02:00ilex, thanks for your encouragement and Patrick, m...ilex, thanks for your encouragement and Patrick, many thanks for your advice.<BR/><BR/>I don't think I'm suffering from damping off. I know of it but am not too sure how to identify it as a problem.<BR/><BR/>I actually think my problem is learning to identify when seedlings need watering. In the past I have heavily over-watered and the plants have died as they rotted in the damp. I'm aware of this fault and now try to control my urges to add a bit more water. I suspect I've lately controlled it so much that a few seedlings have actually died from drought.<BR/><BR/>I'm undergoing a steep learning curve and everything I learn this year will make it a little bit easier for me next year.<BR/><BR/>I also think one of my problems this year was rushing to get things outside before our weather was really warm enough.<BR/><BR/>I will post on any specific problems I have.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your continued support.Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09409890570579989612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472785873062748776.post-60698550931066815672008-05-01T12:35:00.000+02:002008-05-01T12:35:00.000+02:00Some common pitfalls of starting plants indoors ar...Some common pitfalls of starting plants indoors are damping off diseases and not hardening off the plants before putting them out.<BR/><BR/>Damping off is a bacterial disease, and what usually happens is the seedling grows a little bit but then quickly dies. This is a contagious disease, and the problem is usually hygiene. It's important not to use home made compost as a seed starting medium, because it contains too many microbes. You should use a sterile potting medium, usually this is something you purchase. You can also sterilize common dirt or compost by putting it in a 200C oven for about a half hour. <BR/><BR/>You should also sterilize all containers and tools by putting them in water with a small amount of household bleach added.<BR/><BR/>Be sure to clean the room carefully where you grow the plants.<BR/><BR/>For hardening off you can read about it here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.patnsteph.net/weblog/?p=300<BR/><BR/>Otherwise, if you can post any more specific information about the problems you are having, perhaps with pictures, maybe someone will have more ideas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472785873062748776.post-13852294728512985792008-04-30T00:36:00.000+02:002008-04-30T00:36:00.000+02:00I'm catching up on past posts of yours- I had no i...I'm catching up on past posts of yours- I had no idea you were blogging so much- and I think it's really fabulous. Congrats on biting the bullet and starting so much from seed.ilexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06772649648781578752noreply@blogger.com