Tomato seedlings dying

[Brandon Greenwood]

I need some help all of my tomato seedlings are dying. They are falling over then turning as hairlike thin any ideas on what's causing this.

[Ganhada]

Your seedlings are damping off. You will have to start over. They were probably too moist, try not to water the next ones as much.

[Chris]

And if you have them in a little covered tray, take the cover off to let some humidity out. They're essentially rotting while alive in that high humid environment, like gangrene for plants.

[Ganhada]

I wonder if those plastic covers are always advisable. I live on the west coast and I have almost done away with them, I think there might be enough moisture in the air. And then if you live in a drier climate, you could use them judiciously

[Tuna H]

Brandon, it is not as much the moisture as it is a fungal disease that causes "damping off." You will need to start over.
-Make sure you are using a soil-less seed starting mixture- NOT garden or potting soil. You can find directions for making your own on the web. I prefer to purchase pre-sterilized commercial seed starting mix.
-Disinfect your trays, pots, covers, etc. with a 10% household bleach solution.
-Do NOT allow seedlings to dry out even for a couple hours - indeed use a cover. But don't over water either. If you do, leave the cover off over night but replace because they will dry out and get stressed in a hurry.
-And then here is a trick that I have been using for nigh on 20 years - make a strong cup of chamomile tea but not so strong that you couldn't drink it, cool and use as a mist about once every week or two on newly planted seeds and your seedlings. It makes a fine and harmless antifungal.

[Edgeofparadise]

Love the tip about the chamomile tea. Did not know that, but what a simple solution without harmful chemicals.