How to protect seedlings from black leg

Blackleg is a fungal disease that affects seedlings of any crop. It is almost impossible to save an already diseased plant. As protection against this insidious disease, it is recommended to carry out various preventive measures.

Often the summer residents themselves create favorable conditions for the spread of this kind of fungus. In case of violations of the rules for caring for plants, the black leg will not keep itself waiting long. Rot on seedlings can appear with excessive soil moisture, high soil acidity, sudden temperature fluctuations, lack of normal air exchange, high plant density and in the presence of drafts.

What is "black leg"

The characteristic feature of a black leg is a thin and sluggish stem that tilts to the side due to lack of vitality. Affected young plants are easily removed from the soil, since their root does not develop, and a blackened part appears on a thin stem. Over time, the seedling does not support its own weight and breaks down at the place of decay.

Blackleg protection: prevention

It is not for nothing that they say that it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. The black leg is no exception. Since it is very difficult and almost hopeless to deal with it after its appearance, it is better to carry out preventive measures in advance and not give it a single chance.

Sterile containers

The very first thing to start preparing for planting is the choice of capacity. It should not only be clean (without soil residues), but also preferably treated with manganese or soapy water.

Priming

The second and most important thing is the choice or preparation of the potting mix. The soil is the most common cause of the spread of this fungal disease, since the spores of the fungi are located in it. Before planting seeds, the soil must be disinfected with special solutions and preparations.

The fungus dies at high temperatures, so you can steam the soil for a long time before use. It is more convenient and faster to use Fitosporin. With a solution of this drug, you just need to water the prepared soil. For safety reasons, you should not mix the soil with poorly rotted compost; for fungi, this is an ideal place to live. But wood ash in the composition of the soil mixture is a decrease in its acidity, which means that the black leg will not like it.

Seed preparation

Without fail, all seeds must be soaked before planting in a light solution of potassium permanganate (at least for 2-3 hours), then thoroughly dried and only then planted.

Compliance with growing conditions

Even after careful preparation of the containers and seeds, fungus may still appear. It's all about non-compliance with the rules for caring for seedlings. Plants need to create favorable conditions for growth and development:

• Watering young seedlings should be done correctly: using a medical syringe or pipette. Water should not get on the plants, it is advisable to add water to the trays. Avoid excess moisture in the soil.
• Create good air exchange, ventilate more often;
• Eliminate temperature drops, do not allow the soil to cool, carefully insulate the growing area (window and sill), create stable temperature conditions for young plants.
• Make a pick in time, as densely planted seedlings are a step towards the disease. If possible, plant the seeds immediately in separate small containers. After the formation of three full-fledged leaves, the plant must be transplanted into a larger pot. With timely picking of seedlings, plants in only rare cases can get sick with a black leg.
• Do not use top dressing before diving. At the initial stage of plant development, it is necessary to apply nitrogen fertilizers, and nitrogen attracts the black leg. It is better to start feeding after picking the seedlings. For stronger seedlings, it is easier to resist disease.
• Take care of the required amount of light for the seedlings, use additional artificial lighting so that the plants do not stretch out in search of a light source. Strong and strong plants will form only with enough light, and such plants have nothing to fear.

Blackfoot control: how to save seedlings

Experienced gardeners and gardeners recommend regularly and carefully inspecting young seedlings and growing seedlings in order to identify diseases and pests. If you find at least one infected plant, you urgently need to get rid of it, and try to protect the rest as much as possible.

It is advisable to transfer healthy seedlings to new soil as soon as possible. Do not forget to repeat all preventive measures with soil and containers again. This method, although troublesome, is the most effective.

You can do without a transplant. The soil near healthy seedlings should be covered with a five-centimeter layer of wood ash (in pure form or mixed with sand) or powdered egg shells. After that, preventive spraying with special preparations or folk remedies is carried out:

• Add 2 grams of Fundazol to 1 liter of water
• For 1 liter of water - 2 milliliters of Previkura
• Fitosporin
• For 1 liter of water - 100 grams of vodka

After such measures, minimal watering is carried out only after the topsoil has dried out. For watering, it is advisable to use a prepared infusion of onion husks or a slightly pink manganese solution. Such water treatments reliably protect young plants.

When growing tomato seedlings, diseased plants can be given a second chance, especially if every seedling counts. Plants affected by the fungus (at the initial stage), with a healthy upper part, try to save by pinching. Separate the healthy part from the infected and place in water for sprouting roots. There is a good chance that the seedlings will take root and start growing again.