A Poor Start

barbamWY · April 2, 2016

I have started plants from seeds for 40 years, but I have already messed up both my peppers and tomatoes. I started peppers a few weeks ago in my dining room and used a heat mat. After germinating I put them out in my sunroom under lights. That first flat of peppers and eggplants is doing fine.
I then switched over to one of the heavy germinating mat with the wire rack and like a dummy, I plugged the mat into the wall and not into the thermostat, so when I thought about it a week later the soil temperature was 115. I think they are toast and not going to germinate.
So then yesterday I planted 5 flats of tomatoes for our plant sale and when I took off the domes tonight, the seed starting mix is covered with white fuzz. I tipped the flats to make sure there is not any water sitting in the flat and actually there was not much. I panicked and grabbed sulfur powder and doused them. I will leave the domes off tonight. Should I put them under lights to help dry them a bit or is that going to promote more mold? I feel like an idiot. And I traveled for 60 miles today trying to find Garden Salsa and Revolution Peppers with no luck. So I bit the dust and placed an order with $10.50 shipping in the hopes that I can get new seed this next week. The peppers need to be ready for sale on May 7th.

I just need a shoulder to cry on and any suggestions would be appreciated.
Barb

April 2, 2016	#1
barbamWY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: North West Wyoming Posts: 466	A Poor Start I have started plants from seeds for 40 years, but I have already messed up both my peppers and tomatoes. I started peppers a few weeks ago in my dining room and used a heat mat. After germinating I put them out in my sunroom under lights. That first flat of peppers and eggplants is doing fine. I then switched over to one of the heavy germinating mat with the wire rack and like a dummy, I plugged the mat into the wall and not into the thermostat, so when I thought about it a week later the soil temperature was 115. I think they are toast and not going to germinate. So then yesterday I planted 5 flats of tomatoes for our plant sale and when I took off the domes tonight, the seed starting mix is covered with white fuzz. I tipped the flats to make sure there is not any water sitting in the flat and actually there was not much. I panicked and grabbed sulfur powder and doused them. I will leave the domes off tonight. Should I put them under lights to help dry them a bit or is that going to promote more mold? I feel like an idiot. And I traveled for 60 miles today trying to find Garden Salsa and Revolution Peppers with no luck. So I bit the dust and placed an order with $10.50 shipping in the hopes that I can get new seed this next week. The peppers need to be ready for sale on May 7th. I just need a shoulder to cry on and any suggestions would be appreciated. Barb Last edited by barbamWY; April 3, 2016 at 11:34 AM.