so after doing a 4 month battle with myself vs. miracle gro, I decided to go the coco/perlite route this time. I figured having total control over the nutrient contents would make things easier than the guesswork surrounding pre-ferted soil and all that. I still feel that way, BUT I'm having trouble getting off the ground. I've already lost 5 seeds to damping off, and by that I mean the seedlings falling over under their own weight after a day or two or breaching the soil. What I've tried this time is rinsing the medium with a 1tbsp per quart hydrogen peroxide solution, but I'm still coming up with damping off and other weird stuff, like in the picture. That one looks like it made it through so far, but has moldy leaves. UGh!
I started using a humidity dome/heat mat incubator thing I bought, but have since re-thought that idea, because if my problem is 'damping off', then having the dampest environment possible doesn't sound like any solution. I guess I should also mention that they are damping off whether germinated right there in the coco, or in a paper towel. Whether humidity dome is on or off with a fan blowing fresh air around. And it shouldn't be overwatering because the 4" containers have plenty of drainage and they do it after only the 1st watering. Sounds like contaminated coco right??
Has anyone experienced this or know of a way to stop this crap? I'm going to run out of seeds soon. I've heard putting the coco in the oven at 200 for 45 minutes is good, but ive already mixed it all up with perlite. would this make a difference in the oven?