Use Chamomile Tea When Starting Seeds, It's a Mild Fungicide
One of the most common problems people face when starting seeds is a fungus called Damping-Off.
To avoid this problem there are several things you can do, (damping-off story), but a really easy to use, and great preventative, is Chamomile Tea.
Chamomile is a naturally high source of sulfur and a good fungicide for preventing damping-off when starting seeds.
You can either use whole flowers to make your tea, or chamomile tea bags, and the spray can be used on seed starting soil, seedlings, and in any humid planting area.
Using Whole Flowers:
- To make a chamomile fungicide spray, place a large handful or about 1/4 dry cup (not liquid cup) of chamomile blossoms in a heat-proof glass bowl and cover with 2 cups (470 ml) of boiling water
- Cover and let steep until cool
- Strain through cheesecloth and pour into a spray bottle
- Spray can be used as needed on newly planted seed starting soil and seedlings to prevent damping off
- Use any time a white fuzzy growth appears on the soil of seedlings
- Liquid can also be used as a seed soak prior to planting
- Leftovers will keep for about one week before spoiling
- If fresh chamomile flowers are not available, dried ones may be purchased from most health food stores
Using Tea Bags:
Pour boiling water over a chamomile tea bag, leave to steep for ten minutes, when cool use as a spray the same as mentioned above.
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