Well after losing the most recent Blackjack Zuccini seedlings I have been doing some research and believe that they may be suffering from damping off. Damping off is a fungal disease that attacks plants at any stage of life, however it is as a seedling that the worst effects can be seen. As a seedling the fungus attacks the stem of the seedling and eventually the young plant topples over and dies. This is exactly what has been happening with the Blackjack Zucchini attempts.
So with these symptoms in mind I went and looked at where the last batch were planted. In the tub occupied by the new long yellow capsicums a white discolouration has appeared. It looks very much like a mushroom kit does when the mushrooms are ended. Basically it is a layer of fungi. This is typical of damping off.
Looking at the remaining tubs that the Blacjack Zuchinis have been in. Within them is another fungus running rampant, the humble toadstool.
With this in mind I recalled a gardening program I saw with a homemade Damping Off retardant. It is very simple and inexpensive recipe that takes advantage of the ingredients high level of calcium, potash and sulfur. The recipe is:
Ingredients
- Chamomile Tea
- 2 cups water
- Pot or kettle
- Strainer (if using loose leaves)
- Spray bottle
Recipe
- Boil the water.
- Add the chamomile tea.
- Let this prepared tea cool.
- If you have used loose leaves then strain the mixture into a spray bottle or desired containers.
Usage
There are two applications for this mixture. It can be used to:
- By spraying on soil and seedlings to kill off the fungus.
- Soaking the seeds prior to planting for a week.
- Combat outbreaks by spraying any area displaying fuzzy white growth.
Shelf Life
This mixture has a relatively short shelf life of one week. After which time the mixture should be recycled and replaced.
I am now about to prepare the mixture and treat the suspect areas within my garden.
