Dereck, Thanks for the good tip! I didn't know it was ok to use before germination.

I didn't have any problems, bu tkeep in mind only tried it once last year with good results

I rather like the green mold. Personal quirk I guess. Used to get it all the time when used Miracle Gro potting mix with jiffy pots. Never ever had a capsicum damp-off problem though. (that I can remember)

im using jiffy pots and miracle gro also and i have this white mold on top too, i have no circulation where the seeds are. Is this mold going to affect plant growth? Also how do I get rid of it if it is damaging? Thanks

Matt

For kicks I tried the moist paper towel/napkin in a plastic ziplock baggie set on top of the refrigerator for 10 days to germinate. It used to work great, but this time the black mold ruined the seeds.

I tossed the moldy seeds and the paper mess into a Rubbermaid tote with excess soil and covered it and maybe a few will sprout still. Probably over 100 seeds.

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For kicks I tried the moist paper towel/napkin in a plastic ziplock baggie set on top of the refrigerator for 10 days to germinate. It used to work great, but this time the black mold ruined the seeds.
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I germinate just like that very successfully.

I have not had any pathogens since I learned to wash my hands before I start.

A tiny amount of chelated iron on the surface of your seed starting material will take care of fusarium, which is usually fungus that does the damage.

dereck, Thanks for the great tip about cornmeal. It worked on my stubborn tomato seeds, which didn't sprout after 3 weeks. Actually I was about give up, put a thick layer of cornmeal on the sprouting surface in case there was a fungal problem, let it dry out, and intended to throw it in the compost pile, but didn't get around to it. A week later, a healthy sprout showed up. I think the cornmeal acted as both fungicide as well as added some nitrate ion, which may have enhanced germination. Will now try this on some stubborn pepper seeds.

I have a thin layer of white mold and my plants just started getting the true leaves. I have a few strong starts should I worry about the mold or should I try putting some cornmeal down?

From what I've read the white mold is no big deal and will go away once you set the seedlings outside. I had some white mold near my seedlings so I scaled back watering a little and set a fan nearby. It's almost gone now. If it gets thick just gently scrape it off with a knife. I love the cornmeal idea, I'm gonna try that.

Some of my saved seeds from last year are moldy. Are they OK to use or will it affect the squash in any way? I washed them well after gathering them and I let them air dry on a paper towel set on a rack; but, apparently, they were still moist when I put them in zip lock baggies to store over Winter. It's a brownish gray mold that's covering the seeds. Will the squash be edible if the seeds do sprout and can be planted?
Thanks for your help.
Trish