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Annuals/growing under lights

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Expert: - 3/29/2008


Question
this is now my 4th year growing annuals for the summer under lights, and every
year i get a slime mold that severely dents my Impatiens population and affects
many of my annuals when they first sprout. i always let the top part of the soil
dry between waterings. is there a natural way to stop the mold?

Answer
Botrytis is usually the pathogenic nemesis for growers of Summer seedlings.  Slime mold attacking seedlings I confess is a new problem I have not dealt with in an indoor controlled setting.  Nevertheless, a few thoughts that may help you here.

Back in 1995, a California golfcourse began finding sick Grass all over its putting greens.  Experts at University of Arizona studied it, and after analyzing the DNA of the responsible mold, they i.d.'d it as Labyrinthula terrestris.  It was the only Labyrinthula known to attack on land.  All other Labyrinthulas live in salt water.  This new disease was named Rapid Blight Disease.  Scientists note that Soil Sodium promotes this problem.

Amoebozoa ooze along and burst into action when they reach a colony of favorite Bacteria.

That's but a few possible culprits in the Protists Kingdom. Please examine this gallery of Slime Molds to confirm this is in fact the kind of criminal you mean:

http://www.plant.uga.edu/mycology-herbarium/myxogal.htm

Bottom line:  I need to know a little more about what you have -- so I can tell you what makes it tick, and what you can do to avoid this problem in the future.  Either please tell me why you think this is a Slime Mold, or i.d. it (harder to do) and tell me what you think.  rsvp,

Annuals

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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