Damping?

[Token LaRoche]

Thanks heaps, catbuds!

I'm kind of thinking the same thing (but everything here *should* be clean). Solo cups are new, the coco mix is new (or at least previously unused). I expanded it from brick about 7 months ago and it's been stored in a trash bag since. It feels completely dry.

Used hydrogen peroxide the last round and it didn't change the outcome. But, I didn't spray the plants like Shov suggested. Started two more seeds Friday night and they're already in the coco. This will be the same as last round except I'll run the lights closer, adjust the ventilation and spray the plants. Solution remains the same (germination and seedling growth): 5:1 tap water / H2O2, pH adjusted to 5.8-6.0.

I think if this round fails, it will pretty much prove the damping theory. If that's it, I'll sterilize everything.

Thanks again -- it helps!

[Token LaRoche]

Adding more:
Your comments about relocating made me think. I'm running a grow tent inside a moldy old closet (mold removed, but it's not exactly sterile). At this stage, I've been just leaving the tent open -- all the tent lighting works and it's not far along enough to need the air filter. So, I just added one more variable -- closed the tent and turned the filter on. This is really for odor, so the output is filtered, but the input comes from the non-mold side of a wall, so it might help if this is mold coming from the room.

[Shovelhandle]

spray the soil to bust fungi and microbes. it won't hurt the plants but may help them too.

[catbuds]

Oh Token, you need to pull everything out & kill thoes microscopic mold spores. Probably lots of other spores living in that mix too since they all like pretty much the same conditions. Sanitation IS prevention. When you pull EVERYTHING out, you can spray the walls down with straight peroxide, wipe it dry, spray again then let it air dry. & I do mean, do not miss an inch. There may be all sorts of pathogens that can attack your plants on thoes walls, floors & ceiling. Now that I know about that, I wonder if your tent surfaces & lights aren't contaminated too. That's always possible. If this last batch is affected, don't even bother doing it again untill you scrub everything & spray with peroxide. Use a fan to dry it out as fast as you can. Once there, that shit can be IN, not just on, drywall or other porous surfaces. You actually may end up having to relocate.

[Token LaRoche]

Thanks, catbuds & Shovel.

Three rounds of seeds now and not much success. Man, this has been something else! I'm still a noob at this and think I understand it pretty well, but there's a variable I'm missing. It could well be mold, or maybe something contaminated in the coco. Germinated two seeds a week ago Sunday (12 days ago) and one is surviving (but far from thriving). Picked up a bag of Ocean Forest today and transplanted it out of the coco into that (very tiny plant).

If that doesn't work (should know soon!), I'll do the next round in another room. The tent is convenient, but not necessary at this stage. I only really need it for odor control, and that comes later.

Another oddity in all this is that I've tried several (3-4) strains of seed (all fresh, high-end, commercial, feminized) and the only strain that hasn't died in the first 7-9 days is a Mazar White Rhino strain. Whatever it is I'm dealing with, that one strain is more resistant.

"It didn't look this hard." lol

[Token LaRoche]

spray the soil to bust fungi and microbes. it won't hurt the plants but may help them too.

Last round was pretty diligent. Water all had peroxide mixed in and I sprayed at least once a day. Really couldn't tell the difference between the peroxide batch and the non-peroxide batch (have done two with peroxide now). If that would cure the mold, it's not a mold problem. Used this same setup to produce 2 very nice plants (harvested in July). Not ruling mold out at all -- that's very possible, gut says somethin's fubar in this soil.

By the time I get this going, I'll be able to buy weed at 7-11.

[catbuds]

Well, if 7-11 sells it, it would probably be dirt weed! I think relocating your veg area is best. I'm thinking there are spores lurking in porus areas, wood, drywall, etc. Mature plants are resistant to damping off, but if you can, find another area even for the older guys. Could be other fungus type diseases lurking there too. Dont take the chance if you don't have to. There's products commercial greenhouses use to clean/treat surfaces for this kind of thing. I'm not sure if you can even get these products other than in large bulk packages. I always asked the boss if I could have a little & take home a coffee can full. Was a bitch trying to scale down from a 500 gal vat to a 2 gal sprayer! I'm NOT MATHEMATICAL !!!! I actually had to call an old college professor to do the equation! He was such a good guy. He'd do that shit for me without making me feel stupid, hell I could do that myself! LOL! The bad part was, couldn't measure it out with kitchen gadgets, I actually had to take it on campus & have him weigh it out on his calibrated uber sensitive scales. It wasn't even a pinch! See why I no longer use that shit!? But I'm so sorry dude. What you need for this thing you have is an EXORCIST! Keep us posted with how it goes when you change rooms. Seems like the only way to go.~~~PEACE!~~~~

I'd also get rid of the coco shit. Post #2 Shove suggested seed starter mix, good choice, or finely milled spaghnum moss & perlite.