The Rusted Garden Blog — Fungus Gnats

How to Prevent this #1 Seed Starting Mistake - Boiling Water & Fungus Gnats

Posted by Gary Pilarchik on

How to Prevent this #1 Seed Starting Mistake - Boiling Water & Fungus Gnats

The number one mistake made, when starting seeds indoors, is not sterilizing the seed starting mix. Peat based starting mixes are notorious for having fungus gnat eggs in them. They can survive temperature extremes and sit dormant for a very long time in the mixes. Once you add water to the starting mix and expose them to the grow lights and warm temperatures, they hatch. The larva feed on the roots of your seed starts and grow into adult flying gnats. The fungus gnats lay more eggs and the cycle continues, eventually causing the huge problem of seedling loss. The...

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