This dawn redwood sapling just poked his head through yesterday. Was like this when I woke up this morning. Is this damping off? I thought dawn redwoods liked to stay really moist? Any ideas?
Definitely not !! Normal potting soil or seed starting soil ! That stuff is for when you have a tree to start to refine not to build ! For a seedling like that I’m pretty sure your roots will just not be covered enough. But later real professionals will be on this thread
I can't quite make out enough detail in the photo to confirm a diagnosis.
Damping off usually takes a few days to get started. It is usually more common in closely packed seedlings with less air movement and not enough sun. The most obvious symptom is seedlings wilt and fall over. Part of the lower stem will be shrunken and possibly turn brown.
Other possibilities are something may have chewed the stem. Snails and slugs can do that. You may see snail trails but you should be able to see that part of the stem is missing rather than shriveled.
If damping off is a possibility I'd use a fungicide straight away. From experience once it is in a pot it will kill almost all the seedlings within a week.
I can't quite make out enough detail in the photo to confirm a diagnosis.
Damping off usually takes a few days to get started. It is usually more common in closely packed seedlings with less air movement and not enough sun. The most obvious symptom is seedlings wilt and fall over. Part of the lower stem will be shrunken and possibly turn brown.
Other possibilities are something may have chewed the stem. Snails and slugs can do that. You may see snail trails but you should be able to see that part of the stem is missing rather than shriveled.
If damping off is a possibility I'd use a fungicide straight away. From experience once it is in a pot it will kill almost all the seedlings within a week.
Ok my assumption is it just wilted. Was reading dawn redwoods like to stay completely moist so I’m guessing this boon substrate is just too airy and didn’t keep the roots moist enough. Will buy some more seeds and try again next spring in some soil. My black pine saplings are growing quite well in substrate so I just assumed it would work for this species as well
Dead lol. Black pines are doing good. Going to try dawn redwood again next spring. I’m thinking it’s a little to late in the season for another germination attempt