Knowledgebase

Treat fungus in soil #865611

Asked April 23, 2024, 2:32 PM EDT

How to treat fungus-infested soil in small greenhouse, organically? Thank you!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Ruth, 

Please give me more information.

Where is this soil with the fungus? Is it in potted plants, a bag of soil, on the ground?

Is the greenhouse a structure outside, or a small enclosure in a building?

What does this fungus look like? Please add a photo to this file — that would help a lot.

Thanks!

MJ Replied April 23, 2024, 3:27 PM EDT
Thank you!
It’s a rooftop learning-garden greenhouse at the YMCA, 1711 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411. The space is about 12 x 15 ft, elevated grow boxes. It’s the third year. Soil mostly very sparingly enriched with commercial cow manure, teabag liquid manure, water-soluble commercial plant food. Overall, soil appears quite poor, too. No pollinators, no earthworms. Many seeds shrivel shortly after germinating, bigger plants become infected.

 
image
image
Again, thank you! Ruth B


On Tue, Apr 23, 2024 at 2:27 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied April 25, 2024, 6:07 PM EDT

Hi Ruth,

You’re overfertilizing. Seeds should be sown in starting mix that is sterile and doesn’t contain fertilizers, which may be why your seedlings die shortly after germination. Very young plants can’t take fertilization.

Seedlings shouldn’t be fertilized until they have true leaves, and then they should be fertilized at half-strength. All the manure products you’re using also can create problems. They may contains salts and contribute to overfertilization.

If you’re starting the seeds in the same soil year after year the soil should be replaced or you need to start the seeds in separate pots and move them into the planters once they have true leaves. But I’d replace the planter soil anyway. It looks like you have powdery mildew, which can persist year to year if any plant debris is left around.

Make sure there’s enough air circulation in the greenhouse and water early in the day. Water only when plants are dry. 

I wouldn’t expect to see pollinators in a greenhouse, or worms. Am I missing something?

More info is welcome. Let me know if this helped at all!

MJ Replied April 26, 2024, 12:30 PM EDT

Loading ...