How to avoid damping off?

[Jessiebean]

I bought an electric propagator to raise some seeds and it helpfully advise me to be careful watering to avoid damping off but gives no indication of what "careful"might mean.
I have had many a seedling fail due to the damping off and am keen to avoid it (obviously) any tips and hints from those who have used propagators to raise seeds?

[oldjerry]

Sow thinly and open what ever little ventilator there is,it's too much hmidity that encourages it. BW.

[boboff]

Vermiculite or Perlite mixed in with the compost or just on the surface helps allot ( I was having the same issue until last time I sowed, used this and no damping off)

[darkbrowneggs]

I might be wrong, but I thought it was caused when you allow the seedlings to dry out too much then overwater.

All the best
Sue

[grahamhobbs]

The soil can be quiet damp, but sensibly so, not swimming in it. As someone else said, sow thinly and provide ventilation as soon as seedlings appear. Next problem is to ensure your seedlings get plenty of light and don't get leggy. Personally, I tend to remove the cover altogether once the seedlings germinate, perhaps putting it back at night if beside a cold window.

[Odsox]

All the above plus ... wash your pots and seed trays before you use them again.
All sorts of diseases can be carried over from one year to the next, especially damping off fungus.
Plus, make sure your compost has really been sterilised.

[chickenchargrill]

You can use an anti-fungal spray too, camomile tea, or garlic oil both are supposed to work against damping off.

[darkbrowneggs]

You can use an anti-fungal spray too, camomile tea, or garlic oil both are supposed to work against damping off.

LOOOVE the avatar What a cutie

[chickenchargrill]

Thanks - my little boy, Dexter, was being Lawrence of Arabia for our blog.

[little blue duck]

copper sulphate & ammonium carbonate - Cheshunt compound - can help against fungal disorders, like damping off.
use tap water, not from a water butt, and keep everything clean & ventilated....

[Jessiebean]

Rightio! Thanks for all the advice, looks like I was just setting myself to fail previously and this time I have new seed raising mix, new trays, will take the cover off as soon as the seedlings appear, not let them get leggy and keep them well ventilated. I just want to raise some window sill herbs at this stage so won't go nuts trying to get tomatoes going that I can't plant until October etc!