How To Prevent And Fix Damping Off

Damping off is a seed starting nightmare that no one wants to deal with. Here are my best tips for preventing and fixing damping off.

Damping off sounds like a horror story when it comes to seed starting. One day you can wake up and all your seedlings will be gone!

It doesn’t take much time for a whole tray of seedlings to succumb to this disease. Before I tell you how to prevent damping off, let’s define it.

What is damping off

Damping off is a fungal disease that most often targets young seedlings. Because it’s a fungi it thrives in cool, dark, and damp environments.

This fungal disease works quickly to kill seedlings and in a few hours a seedling can be beyond repair.

Damping Off Symptoms

Damping off can be mistaken for other seedlings problems. One of the most common mistakes is thinking leggy seedlings have the damping off disease.

Here are some symptoms to watch for. This list is great to use for damping off diagnoses.

• Rotting seeds that never germinate.
• Seedlings that collapse or “flop over”.
• Wilting and drooping foliage.
• Stems that get thin and thread like at the base.
• Browning, yellowing, or greenish stems.
• Fluffy looking fungal growth.

Is Damping Off Really That Bad

I had always kind of brushed the whole damping off thing aside. I really didn’t think it would be a big issue when I started seedlings.

I made it multiple seasons without any damping off issues. Then one year I almost lost all my tomato seedlings to this disease. That is when I finally took damping off seriously.

That year I had the perfect conditions to allow the damping off disease to affect my plants. I was able to salvage many of the plants because I caught the fungal disease early.

Below is how I now prevent this disease plus the steps I took to fix my seedlings that already had the fungus.

How To Prevent Damping Off

If you want to prevent damping off you need to think like a fungus. Think of everything that fungi need to grow and basically do the opposite.

Below are all the steps you can take to prevent damping off. I recommend you follow all these steps even if you haven’t had damping off issues before.

Sanitize your seed starting supplies.

Trays, pots, and tools all need to be disinfected before the seed starting season begins. The fungal spores can be on un-sanitized pots and tools.

If your pots have the fungal spores they will quickly spread to the new seedlings. Below is a simple and safe way to kill any fungal spores on your pots.

First soak your pots in water and brush them to remove most of the dirt and debris. Then get a spray bottle and fill it with hydrogen peroxide.

Spray all your pots inside and out till they are dripping with peroxide. You can let them dry like this or rinse the hydrogen peroxide off.

Use sterile seed starting mix

I have found that if I use compost in my seed starting mix my seedlings get the damping off disease. My go to seed starting mix is now completely sterile, and I have not had issues with damping off since.

You can get my DIY soil mix recipe right here. This recipe has given me the healthiest seedlings I have ever grown and is it simple to make.

Don’t Over water

An environment with too much moisture is the perfect place for the damping off fungus to thrive. Don’t over water your seedlings.

Remove humidity domes once your seedlings emerge, and allow the soil to dry a bit in-between waterings.

Improve air circulation

Stagnate, moist air is another thing that should be prevented. A great way to improve air circulation around your plants is by using a fan.

If it is warm enough you could also crack a window to let in some fresh air for your seedlings.

Make sure the temperature is right

A seed starting room that is too cold will cause fungal diseases to grow. Make sure your room is at least 65^oF or over.

Add a space heater to the room if you need to raise the temperature. You can also just turn up your thermostat to keep your seedlings warm.

How To Fix seedlings that are damping off

Already have the damping off disease? If you have seedlings with the symptoms of damping off you need to follow the below steps quickly!

Step 1: Remove any seedlings that have already flopped

If you have seedlings that have already flopped over, your chances of saving them are very low. It is my suggestion that you toss these seedlings and settle your losses.

Step 2: Spray your seedlings with hydrogen peroxide

Mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of water. Use this solution in a spray bottle to coat all your seedlings.

Make sure to spray the foliage all over (even underneath) until it is dripping wet. The hydrogen peroxide will kill the fungal spores, but keep your plants healthy.

Step 3: Correct any issues

Now is the time to investigate why damping off was an issue in the first place and correct any issues. Increase air flow, water correctly, and make sure your seedlings are warm enough.

Continue to spray your seedlings with the hydrogen peroxide solution daily and you may just save your seedlings.

Can seedlings be saved from damping off

Yes, I have saved many seedlings from the brink of damping off. The key is early detection and working quickly to get all your seedlings sprayed with hydrogen peroxide.

I continue to spray my seedlings with the solution every day until I plant them in the ground. Hydrogen peroxide is actually beneficial for your plants so spraying it will not hinder growth.

Is cinnamon good at preventing damping off

It is said that cinnamon has antifungal properties and can prevent the damping off disease. I believe hydrogen peroxide is better at killing the damping off spore.

However, I find no harm in using a little cinnamon in your seed starting. You can add cinnamon powder to your soil mix and sprinkle it on top of the soil for a bit of added protection.

Pin This!

Other posts you would enjoy