[Arid_gardener] Re:New Seedlings Dying or Disappearing.

[Olin Miller]

Sounds a lot like damping off - not uncommon if manure isn't well composted.
Try making a dimple in the soil and fill it with a sterile seed starting
potting mix, then plant the seeds in it and cover it up to 3 times the
seed's diameter with the sterile potting mix.  Substituting vermiculite for
the potting mix works pretty well too.  See also
http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/diseases/damp-off.htm
for U of A Cooperative Extension for recommendations.

My new seedlings from direct sowing are doing okay but sometimes too much
direct sun from about 10am-2pm can also zap the new seedlings.

Your problem is not uncommon and I believe many others on this listserv have
also had the problem and I hope they will share their methods for dealing
with it.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer, Maricopa County AZ


----- Original Message ----- From: <jharter at cox.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 7:21 PM
> > This fall I added several bags of compost to my raised garden as well as
> > one baq of manure.  I have planted seeds on several occasions and most
> > do not come up.  I have seen some plants come through the ground one
> > day, and disappear the next!!  I have checked and rechecked my seed
> > dates, to date only some bean seeds from 2005 have come up.  I have
> > tried to keep the soil moist, so don't think that watering is a problem.
> > This same garden produced very well for me last year.  Any idea of what
> > my problem is????