I grow giant cockscomb celosia from seed every year. I have a small house and
must place the trays before a window in the utility room and before windows in
the dining room. I usually lose a few every year to damp-off but this year I
don't know what is going on.

They don't seem to be suffering from damp-off. The don't wilt at the stem and
fall over. Rather they begin to droop, the top eventually touching the soil,
forming a long arc. Then they stay that way and die. It doesn't strike in one
tray, or in seedlings adjacent to each other. It's one here and there, until
I've lost fully half of about the original 140 plants. I wouldn't have enough
for the yard if I hadn't planted more 4 times now. (Assuming they don't all
die)

As I have numerous trays in various locations I can experiment to see if
anything helps. I have four different brands of seeds. No difference in loss
rate. I have three different brands of seed starter. No difference. I have
place them in sunlight and indirect light no difference. Warmer spots in house,
colder spots in house. No difference. Less water, more water. No difference.
Peat pots, paper cups, seedling trays, dome/no dome……no difference.

A nursery recommended a light sprinkling of captan on the soil. I tried this on
some, not on others. No difference.

I've never had a problem anything like this in other years and can't figure out
what to do differently. I'm posting this knowing it's unlikely anyone can help
without seeing the seedlings and conditions but at this point I've got nothing
to lose. (What I'd really like is to find someplace that sells the seedlings
already established but for the large/giant cockscomb that seems hopeless, at
least here in Ohio.)

On 09 May 2004 14:43:58 GMT, (GSHATTERHAND)
wrote:


I've never had a problem anything like this in other years and can't figure out
what to do differently. I'm posting this knowing it's unlikely anyone can help
without seeing the seedlings and conditions but at this point I've got nothing
to lose. (What I'd really like is to find someplace that sells the seedlings
already established but for the large/giant cockscomb that seems hopeless, at
least here in Ohio.)

Can't help with your seedling problem, but you might want to look at
Green Mountain Transplants http://www.gmtransplants.com
They have several varieties of celosia, including one which is
described thusly:

"Red Velvet (Tall Cockscomb or Crested type) 55¢ ea.
Large 8 X 6 in. crimson, velvet textured heads, atop 2 ft. stems.
Attractive cut flower. "

Their very low prices are for flats of 72 or 32 plants. The firm has a
good reputation; I have just ordered several hundred annual and
perennials from them. I am not otherwise affiliated with them.

Ev Dugan.......you have my gratitude!

All the Best
GSHATTERHAND