Damping Off Disease on Houseplants; Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention


Houseplant Disease, Damping off disease

Damping Off Disease Causes & Symptoms

Damping Off Disease is a fungal disease which attacks the root and stem bases of seedlings. The disease causes shrinkage and rot at the ground level which causes the seedlings to topple over.

The seedlings may look healthy one day and die the next. The roots may turn brown and begin to rot. The seeds rot in the soil and fail to germinate.

Damping Off Disease is prevalent in damp, warm and poorly ventilated conditions. A fluffy, white, cobweb-like mold may appear on the soil surface or on the stems. The disease spreads very fast and may cause the loss of all the seedlings if immediate action is not taken.

Treatment for Damping Off Disease on Houseplants

On sporting the first collapsed seedling;

  1. Remove the collpsed seedling and discard it together with the soil surrounding it, to prevent spread to rest of the plants.

  2. Drench the soil with a fungicidal solution to arrest the disease infestation.

  3. Cut down on watering and keep the seedlings on the drier side for 10-14 days.

  4. Move the seedlings to a cooler, brightly-lit spot.

  5. Improve ventilation to discourage further spread of the disease.

How to Prevent Damping Off Disease on Houseplants

Damping off disease is not easy to control as it spreads very fast. The best way to deal with it is to avoid it by;

  1. Always use clean, sterilized containers, scissors and others to minimize spread of the disease.

  2. Use a sterile, fast-draining, rooting mix and a rooting container with proper drainage to avoid waterlogging.

  3. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to avoid overwet conditions which promote the disease.

  4. Position the seedlings in a warm, well-lit place to boost a healthy growth, as vigorously-growing plants are unlikely to be affected.

  5. Maintain good air flow for the seedlings to discourage the disease.

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