Question
I have two questions:

1. growing seedlings indoor under lights. Should I use a fungicide as preventative treatment for damping off (like sulphur) ? if so, should I dose the flats before planting, or use it as foilage spray after the seedlings emerge ? will it have much effect anyway ? (using a store bought soilless seedling mix and washing all containers in diluted bleach solution to make them sterile already!).


2. our neighbor was adviced by a local garden center to apply a fungicide to his lawn to help with history of lawn disease. His lawn does show signs of damage, but I believe it is past damage, not current.. Besides cultural changes which he is incorporating, the garden center suggested applying the fungicide now (freezing temperatures). I think this is way too early.. ?
Would plant disease be able to carry over at these low temperatures ? and if they can, will it really be effective applying fungicide now ?
Would it not be more appropriate to apply a fungicide in early summer when soil temperatures go up (if applying at all).. ?

Thanks
Kenneth

Answer
Kenneth,

Increase air circulation and cut back the water to control damping off. Fungicides are useful, but you should take a sample of the dead plants and soil to your local cooperative extension agent (county government section of the phone book) to identify the fungus responsible so the treatment fits the disease.

Give me more info on the lawn problem. How does it manifest itself? Be as specific as possible. Fungicides are not good for people, and the less we use them the better. If there is a cultural method of control we should look at that first. Retail stores  sell things for heavens sake, of course they want your neighbor to use a bunch of chemicals on his lawn.

Larry