I have grown lots of flowers from seedlings. My sunflower plants sprouted and started to grow, but slowly they started moulding and at last dying. I really don't know why this happening. Is it because I'm watering them daily? I have used 50% soil, 15% cow manure, and 45% coco peat mixture for seedlings plantation.
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The soil could have something in it that is causing the issues.
I know some people swear by backing their potting soil mixture in the oven and baking it (EWWWW--that is where I draw the line--that is NOT happening in my oven).
When I want to sterilize a batch of potting soil mix, I just put it out side on a cookie tray specifically for dirt, cover it with saran wrap and let it "bake" for a few days in the sun. Now in Pittsburgh, that is not often (sunny days), so I may have to bring it back in if it rains and take it out another day.
If you are still having issues with "clean" potting soil, it is possible they just aren't draining well and you are getting the rot from that. You may want to put a few bigger stones at the bottom of your pots (starters).
The other thing you can do is reduce (or eliminate) the manure. I am NOT a big fan of any fertilizer when I plant...esp. manure. It has too much of an ick factor for me. I grew gardens for many, many years and never used it and my flowers and veggies always did well. Now my mother used to swear by fish emulsion and when I was very young, we would use that on our family garden, but when I went my own way, I never used it.
Hope you find the solution. Sunflowers are so lovely!! The seeds are yummy too!
I would not water daily. This contributes to root rot. Water deeply once a week or so. I stick my finger in, and when it feels dry, then I water.
Too much water, and it's not drying out enough. Don't water at night, indoors or out. High humidity drops in the air as temps drop, trapping more water.
Most likely you have a fungus in the soil that is affecting your seedlings. It would be good for you to try again with sterile soil even if you "bake" it yourself or buy it that way. Fungus thrives on extra water so I would cut back there too.
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