How do molds grow?
When growing your seeds, understand that molds and fungi are always present in the soil. Molds grow in damp, dark places and reproduce by making microscopic spores. The spores float through the air and land on surfaces where they can grow into new molds. Some molds are white, some are orange, some are green or black in color and many have a fuzzy appearance. In high enough concentrations, mold spores can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks and other health problems.
What can be done to prevent mold growth?
- Make sure your seeds are properly watered. Do not overwater! Overwatered seeds rot and grow mold.
- Make sure your seedlings have fresh, sunny conditions to grow in. They should be moved to a sunny location or have their own light source.
- If you’re going to water them with a mister, make sure it’s just a low-pressure mist, not a deluge of water like the kind that happens when you flush your toilet or take a shower and don’t use the shower curtain correctly.
- Keep them away from vents because air circulation will dry up their soil, making it less favorable for mold growth.
How can mold be avoided when growing seeds?
Mold can be avoided if you take proper care of your seeds. Here are some tips to avoid mold:
- Make sure that your seeds are dried properly before storing them.
- You should store your seeds in a cool and dry place. If you place the seed package in a plastic bag, it may increase the chances of mold growth because the moisture inside the plastic bag promotes mold growth.
- If you are planting your seeds, make sure that the soil is not too wet as this will promote mold growth on the soil. This can then spread to your seedlings and kill them.
[See solution]
While it may seem like a complicated issue, mold can be avoided by following these simple steps:
- When you first plant your seeds, make sure that the soil isn’t too moist. Mold thrives in moist environments.
- If you’re using a paper towel or some other non-soil medium to grow your plant, make sure to change out the non-soil medium periodically to avoid moisture buildup on the surface of your medium.
- If you’re growing plants from cuttings, make sure that roots are submerged in water rather than sitting above it.
If your plants have already developed mold, try removing it with a damp cloth and keeping them in more dry conditions for a while.