Unheated propagator beginner help

Hi there,

I'm a new member and have a couple of questions I'm looking for some help with. I bought a cheap unheated propagator to get some seeds going on a windowsill. I filled it with some peat-free all purpose compost (sieved). I put coriander in one, basil in one, and left the third with just compost. I watered the two with seeds and popped them all on a windowsill in a warmish room with the covers on.

The first thing that happened is that a white thin cotton wool like mould spread across all three (you can see it in the first picture). Then seedlings then appeared but 'wilted' over (second picture).

My questions are:

What is the mould? Is it bad?

I think the seedlings were too damp, but I only watered once when planted. With the lids on (vent open) no water seems to escape at all. There are small holes in the base of the three units but these seem a bit inadequate. How much should I water? What is the correct procedure for this type of thing.

Thank you in advance for your help. Looking forward to attempt 2!

James

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PS apologies if pictures don't work (yet) - first post!

 

The idea of using a propagator is to keep seeds as humid as possible, in warm weather at least to help them germinate. I think you may have a case of damping off. Try taking the lids off, the vents won't really do much this time of the year I find. Does your windowsill receive a lot of light or is it quite dark most of the day? Also did you follow the instructions on the packet as to the sowing depth of the seeds? It could be that you may have sown them too shallow.

I tend not to sow seeds directly in propagators but sow the seeds in pots. I find you get much better drainage this way and a better root run. That's just my opinion though, everybody's different.

I'm probably wrong though.

I'd also be interested if someone else could point out what the mould is too. I've found it in a couple of my propagators while testing out a new cardboard tray that I built from loo rolls.

 

Once the seeds have actually germinated then the lids come off =] they only need the humidity to germinate

 

The pitures uploaded fine. That's the good news!

The seedlings are tall and thin - referred to as "leggy" or "drawn" - they aren't getting enough light. If you have an angle-poise lamp with a floursense bulb in it (i.e. one that does not generate much heat) put it near them - you need to get it within a couple of inches - use the back of your hand at a similar distance from the bulb to check that it isn't outputting any heat. Leave that on when you go to bed, and off when you get up - they will have some "night" in the evening then, and also have the daylight.

Compost needs to be moist for seeds to germinate (obviosuly!). I fill my seed trays and stand then in a bowl of water for 5 or 10 minutes, then I let them drain, and then I sow the seed. Once the clear plastic cover is on they won't need any more water (well, they will if its the type of seed that takes months to germinate) as the cover keeps the water in. So normally you won't need to water again until after germination.

Once the seeds have germinated open any vents on the plastic covers for a day to let fresh air in (but keep the humidity up), and then remove them (and then you will need to water - I suggest putting them in a tray of water for 10 minutes so they soak water up from the bottom which will keep the surface "dry" and reduce the risk of fungus growing on the surface)

At that point they need light. In January / February there isn't much, and a windowsill is often not enough. A strip light will help (must be within a couple of inches of the plants, but make sure there isn't enough heat to burn). Also, get an old cardboard box, cut in half and use it to make a "wall" behind the seedlings, and line it with tinfoil to reflect the light from the window back onto the plants.

The white stuff on your compost might be nothing to worry about, but supposedly compost should be sterilized, and I would not expect it to grow any fungus for quite a while after being first opened / used. So I suspect that the compost you are using may not be fit-for-purpose. Make sure you use TAP water for seedlings - rain water is fine [indeed, probably better] for bigger plants, but it contains all the muck that it collected off the roof etc. which may infect seedlings because they are more fragile

I reckon you would be better off with some better quality compost for sowing seeds. I only use good quality, reputable brand name "John Innes Seed Compost" ("John Innes" is not a brand, but rather a formulation that includes soil) (I've used Westland and Arthur Bowers, I find Levingtons too peaty),

 

Thank you for very comprehensive and helpful answers. I feel I understand what I'm doing now and why!