How do you prevent cherimoya seedlings from damping off?

[CherimoyaDude]

Lost most of my seedlings to this last year. Is there a particular technique I should be using to prevent this?

[JoeP450]

First thought is your soil composition may hold too much water causing an environment for pathogens to multiply and affect the roots, maybe try mixing in some perlite, gravel, or sand in so water can freely drain easier.

Hope that helps,

-Joep450

[Frog Valley Farm]

I start all seeds in a finished biodynamic compost that holds water like a sponge without any problems.  I do not let the pot sit in standing water.  Perhaps a worm casting tea drench or a humus tea drench or lactobacillus drench or combination before planting or with first sign of pathogen would get the biology into your dirt that can combat fungal pathogen issues. Also as always less is more when using any input so a watered down tea might be best.

[Guanabanus]

Raise temperature of soil and air with heating mats or similar--- most fungi thrive at temperatures in the 70's or 60's.

Soil with good drainage / air penetration.

Beneficial soil organisms.

Good mineral nutrition of the seed-producing tree, and of the soil seed is planted in.

Sprays with minerals, including Silicon, and beneficial live organisms.

Conventional systemic fungicide as Plan B / Backup plan; example: Alliette.  When you see something going seriously wrong, don't just humm a mantra while you watch them die.

[Mike T]

Damping off is caused by quite a few fungal species that thrive in the absence of beneficial soil organisms that may control them,an excess of water retained in potting mix and even perhaps a lack of sunlight and aeration. Well drained potting mix either sterilised by heat or with healthy populations of beneficial organism would help.Very dilute copper oxychloride or equivalent fungicide through the potting mix would also probably help.Some species are very prone to it like chempadaks.