Reichjke, I grow on two sites in Seattle, one especially damp, so I understand your problem. I don't think I could manage a tunnel without fungal problems. I use two covered outdoor areas for sowing the cold germinators. One is a breezeway between house and garage. The other is a five-foot high area below an elevated room, open on three sides to the air. In both areas I hang ladders horizontally from ropes, which excludes most rodents, and line up the flats across them. Even with inverted mesh flats on top to discourage the more acrobatic rodents, the air flow is excellent. I have never seen seedlings damp off in either area. I sow most seed in disposable tray inserts in which I cut LOTS of extra drainage holes. The inserts that fit 12 to a 1020 flat are very useful. Seedlings that abhor root disturbance, like peonies, get individual 2.25" rose pots. My mix is half peat and half pumice or black lava, no fertilizer. The pumice tends to moss up fast if exposed to the surface, but the black lave is denser and more resistant. I mulch with crushed rock. I wish the breezeway had a glass roof. As it is, once the seedlings are up I have to transfer them to lighted racks in my chilly basement, or to the greenhouses. The basement is completely safe from damping off. The greenhouses have a botrytis problem, despite the fans that sound like a small jet taking off. Neem oil helps somewhat. If someone can recommend a non-carcinogenic fungicide, I'll consider synthetics. Pamela Harlow -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Reichjke de kuypeurs Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 11:29 AM To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org Subject: [pbs] New topic/ seedling damping off I'm curious to know how other seed sowers handle the problem of damping off. I use a high content of pumice in my mix so that the mix dries out relatively quickly. I also have sterilized the soil, but , unfortunately, besides killing pathogens, it also kills beneficial bacteria. All seed containers are soaked in a Sodium hypochlorite / H2O solution before being used. Here in the Pacific Northwest, even under cover, a seed pan can stay moist for a long time, which can be a problem. Even with the ends of a tunnel left open for circulation, the air is full of moisture. I used to be a greenhouse grower, so have had a bit of Benlate left.... when all else fails. It would be interesting to hear others cultural practices.