Black mold on germinating medium!

I started some pepper seeds in coir medium on November 20. The medium is in multicell trays with clear plastic domes. I placed the trays on top of the refrigerator thinking the warmth would be a little higher than most areas of the house. I checked the trays today and noticed some cells are developing black mold on top of the coir. I don't think that will be good for the pepper plants when they germinate. Should I remove the domes and allow the medium to dry a little or should I somehow treat the mold? I've never had growing medium become moldy before but I've also never germinated under the domes before.

Thanks

Ted

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by tedln

I started some pepper seeds in coir medium on November 20. The medium is in multicell trays with clear plastic domes. I placed the trays on top of the refrigerator thinking the warmth would be a little higher than most areas of the house. I checked the trays today and noticed some cells are developing black mold on top of the coir. I don't think that will be good for the pepper plants when they germinate. Should I remove the domes and allow the medium to dry a little or should I somehow treat the mold? I've never had growing medium become moldy before but I've also never germinated under the domes before.

Thanks

Ted

So many folks have rotted seeds and plants by using domes. The heat and humidity encourages fungi of all types.
For what you have now don't treat the mold just scrape it off the surface if you can. And then either take the dome off completely or prop it up at one end to allow for air circulation.

Carolyn

[KarenO]

I'm not a fan of coir as I find it stays too wet for my liking. I use peat based sterile seedling mixes. Getting some air on them will help as Carolyn suggests. As far as domes or lids of any kind mine come off at the first seedling through the soil and immediately under lights 2" above. I think lids really can contribute to all kinds of problems especially damping off if left on once seedlings have emerged.
Karen

[JamesL]

Ted,
Give hydrogen peroxide a shot. Water with a 1% solution. You can spray the top of the medium with it as well. If the seeds haven't germinated yet you can spray with up to a 3% solution.

Thanks for the thoughts folks! I'm not really a fan of coir either, but I thought it would work okay for the peppers. I will remove the domes and move the trays to my light table in the shop. I can maintain a constant temp in the shop and they will get good air circulation. If they don't dry enough to kill the mold quickly, I will douse them with a little hydrogen peroxide.

Ted