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Old March 17, 2017   #5
gorbelly
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
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As Carolyn says, use a sterile mix. In addition, don't keep seedlings in cold, damp conditions. Cool temps aren't necessarily bad in and of themselves, but be extra careful to not overwater if your seedling starting area is on the cold side. I pretty much keep the first 1/2" of soil as dry as possible and only water from the bottom and don't let the water wick up all the way to the surface when I do.

I've tried cinnamon in the past to ward off fungus gnats and prevent damping off. It wasn't effective.

Also, be aware that cinnamon can kill very young sprouts. Not sure whether the essential oils in it burns them or the powder itself dessicates them, but don't sprinkle on top of new sprouts. They seem fine if you put the cinnamon down before the sprouts break the surface. Once they get a little more robust, they cope fine... but as I said, the cinnamon doesn't do much. It does make the seedling area of your house smell really nice, though.
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