Disaster with bedding plugs indoors

I thought things were going well, but it looks like the conditions in the top bedroom were too humid in the end. See thread Growing summer plugs/small plants in our bedroom! I think the Begonia's and Lobelia have mildew? All slimy white stuff covering some of the leaves. Really don't know what to do now, I think they are all gone The last 3 days have been great weather and the plants have been brought down in trays to the garden all day. The Petunias I think are still ok? I have not over watered, infact I have only watered once in a week in the bedroom. The soil only seemed to need watering when the plants were out in the garden. I guess the wind and sun helped to dry out the soil. I am gutted that all the time and effort has been for nothing. Can I rescue anything, or should I just bin it all and try another approach next year?

http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/mildew1.jpg
http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/mildew2.jpg
http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/mildew3.jpg

 

I don't think it looks too bad.

Can you get a close up photo of the white on a leaf on the Begonias?

The Lobellia look floppy. looks to me like, perhaps??, they were a bit weak from the lack of light in the bedroom, in which case in a day or two they should recover (can't see mould on them, so it could be more serious if there is mould on them).

Stick to bottom watering, nothing from the top (stand them in a tray of water for 10 minutes, rather than watering from the top).

yes, they ill definitely dry out more quickly once they are outside.

I doubt you had a humidity problem in the back bedroom - the walls would be running with moisture and have mould - but it is possible of course.

Spraying with a fungicide would help (sorry, don't know which one is suitable, but something for seedlings perhaps? The replacement one for Chesunt Compound perhaps?)

 

Hope this is ok as a close up, sorry my camera skills are awful!

http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/mildew4.jpg
http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/lobelia_mould.jpg

 

Very clear, thanks.

There are water droplets on the plant / label / pot. Was that from watering, or rain?

Not that it makes much difference. (Although tap water, rather than rain water from a water butt, is safer for seedlings)

I'm no expert on mildew. I think if it is dry to the touch then its the powdery type, and it ifs wet then its Downy. But I'm not convinced its either - it looks like a white liquid that has "run" like paint. But maybe that's how mildew forms?

Someone will be along shortly who knows, I'm sure.

 

Kristen, the plants were gently watered the night before, but I only noticed the white stuff this morning. The water droplets are probably still there from last night's watering. I have added a close up as best I could of the Lobelia leaves from the other post.

 

I have no advice, but I feel for you.
I've had a minor disaster with some plug plants I bought. Out of 12, I'd say at least half are looking very unhappy (ie almost dead)

 

I feel for you too, there is nothing worse. I had white looking stuff on the soil of my fuchsia cuttings from last year but as soon as they'd been outside for a few days it went.

I bought a small batch of busy lizzie's last year, took forever to get going....and after alot of feeding got them flowering eventually (although in one damp night they were oblitterated by our slug population).

Hope you manage to find a solution, and they're not lost. I definately know what it's like to have very little space for germinating...and such great plans :happydance:every window sill in the house is taken up by some kind of propagator at the moment. it's all so exciting though

 

I cant see anything that some time out in the fresh air wont cure.

Maybe the air in your room was a bit stagnant, ie. no movement.


With the recent good weather I would leave them outside to harden off.
Probably by now just a bit of fleece would do the job if we should get a coldish night.

 

I agree with the other members ,they don't look to bad overall .Petunias fine ,lobelia probably drawn due to poor light , I am a little confused on your 'begonias' firstly does the white rub off ? and they look more like Impatiens (bizzie Lizzies) to me ?? than begonias

Dave

 

I think you are right Pete. I'm inclined to think they are softer than plants grown in stronger light would be and, fingers-crossed, will be fine once they acclimatise to the real world - here's hoping :thumb:

 

Hi julie. I can't see anything wrong with those plants except that they are soaking wet.
Why do you have them living in the bedroom ?
I'm in Perthshire and my babies and half hardies are living outside. I keep a keen eye to the weather to rush them in, or cover with fleece, if need be.
I think if you put those plants outside they will get on better.
Good luck.

 

Been looking at picture of white leaves again .Not convinced its mildew ,you do some times get a white shine on certain plant leaves due to strong sunlight when they are first put outside ,this may well be the case if you have had them outside .The plants will grow out of it . Begonia semperflorens and Impatiens are prone to this if put straight out in sunny weather .(A bit like sunburn)
Dave

 

Yes, they do look like that don't they. I didn't notice that before. Although Julie says "I have only watered once in a week in the bedroom"

 

Thank's everone for the help. They have all been living outside on bread trays for a few days now as the weather has been great. I can't see us getting frost now, so they are staying out. davygfuchsia, you were right, they are busy lizzies, just my labelling gone wrong! I think you are also right about the white leaves being after they were put outside. It has been strong sunlight for the last week, but they don't get it all day. Some of the leaves are still white, but they do seem to be getting a bit better. They have also started to flower. The Lobelia still look very poor, so not much hope for them. The petunias all seem to be coming on well. Just taken these pics after the first rain shower in well over a week!

http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/1.jpg
http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/2.jpg
http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/3.jpg
http://www.duddenconstruction.co.uk/4.jpg