Wow check this out, it's a recent local introduction, no wonder none of us knew it! The pic I took was at Meleb. Kinda scary, I saw a LOT of it in pastures and hayfields. (full article link below) "Red bartsia (Odontites serotina) is a weed of hayland, pastures and roadsides which appeared in the Interlake region of Manitoba in the 1950s (Figure 2). The weed apparently was introduced into the area in crates which were shipped from West Germany into the Canadian Armed Forces Base at Gimli. The infestation started on the base and spread into surrounding farmland by way of mowed hay from red bartsia infested areas along the edges of runways. Today the main area of infestation (Figure 1) is in the eastern Interlake particularly in the triangle formed by Gimli, Fraserwood and Meleb. New infestations have recently been found in the Souris and Carman areas. Isolated patches have also been found near Stonewall, Selkirk and Winnipeg. Description and Life Cycle Red bartsia germinates in late spring. At first it grows slowly and may not be noticed during early summer (Figure 3). In July, the weed begins rapid growth, reaching heights of 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches). Stems are erect, branching and bear clasping narrow leaves about three cm (1.25 inches) in length. The leaves occur in pairs and taper to a point. Both the leaves and the stem are densely hairy. Spike-like clusters of flowers develop on flower stalks which grow from the point where the leaves join the stem. Most flowers are found on the top half of the stem. The blossoms are reddish-purple in colour and resemble tiny snapdragon flowers (one cm or less than a ½ inch long). At maturity, an infestation gives a reddish tingle to hayfields, pastures or ditches. This reddish tinge is also seen in infestations of red samphire (Salicornia), a plant frequently found growing in ditches and often confused with red bartsia. The two species can be distinguished by the absence of any leaves on red samphire. Red bartsia is prolific, producing about 1400 seeds per plant. The seed shells out in September, infesting fields for some time to come. Coarse hairs cover the seeds, enabling them to adhere to clothing and equipment. The seed is light and is easily carried along ditches and through fields by runoff water...." Thanks for your detective work anyway gals. Here is a link that might be useful: Red Bartsia in Manitoba

Same potting media I always use for transplanting my seedlings. This is their second transplanting actually. Same potting mix as the time before, so, unless they've suddenly developed a sensitivity. . . The soil they were in was still decently wet from the watering the day before, so after transplanting them I just moved them back under the lights. Like I said, this was their seconding repotting, this one much less traumatic then the first since they were already in their individual pots, I didn't have to do too big a number on their roots. Yes, they always have a phosphorus deficiency, every doggone year it's the same song and dance and they're like that from the day their born. But this year maybe extra bad. Guess I'll plug in the space heater overnight and see if that helps. The fish and seaweed is a liquid emulsion, so it should be useable (though, I admit it's new to me this year, so maybe I'm mistaken). I have been fairly happy with the results with the rest of my seedlings, from onions to peppers, the rest of the year with it though.

I appreciate this discussion, thank you for all your comments. I thought I was alone with a mystery problem. Getting rid of these sassafrass suckers or seedlings has been impossible. The roots are too deep in established beds to dig out. The later comment about an established sassafrass tree dying might be a clue as to what's going on over here. There was a really big Norway maple on the neighbor's property that they took down about 12 years ago. That's allowed a little Norway maple to flourish on our property to create a lot of shade. Also a lot of Sassafrass trees popped up on the neighbor's property, and we let one grow on our property. Ever since then the suckers come up everywhere and don't stop no matter how we slice and dice and pull out as much as we can. The little ones are sprouting up ALL OVER, by the dozens, and we've dug down 2 feet in the places where we can and we still don't get the whole root out. Use caution with sassafrass. It may be native but there are some natives that become invasive pests, and sassafrass seems to be one, along with some rudbeckia and a few others. I agree about the maples, especially if it's a Norway Maple, which are an invasive non-native. I've seen some maples here on Long Island, I think they're called swamp maples, they appear to share space with other plantings more peacefully than Norway Maples. I would never have considered round up but some compelling points are made above. Makes me wonder if the salt, vinegar and soap I spray on poison ivy leaves would work on the sassafrass suckers.. Peace and happy gardening.

I live in Appalachian Ohio in mine country, and in some parts of our county you need a rider for mines on your home owner's policy. I have to have one at a property I own in town since that section was built over old mines. I also have an old coal bank on my rural property. It was mined privately by an individual, by pick and I'd expect it not to have conventional looking excavating, either. There may be no rhyme or reason why this wasn't just filled in and a piece of wood thrown over it and left to rot. It could be anything, actually including an old dug well or spring or rain water cistern where the bricks had been removed and used for landscaping or something, lol. That's almost the exact measurements for my spring cache basin near the house.