Brown Patch Fix

I decided to measure the temperature near the floor where the brown patch seedlings were growing. It was 66F, a whooping 6 degrees below recommended 72F. It was very wet and cold - not the most optimal conditions for seedlings to grow. Here is how I fixed it.

I brought a few edging blocks and built a tunnel. I then placed the trays on top of the tunnel. A small heater is blowing through the tunnel raising the temperature from beneath. I then adjusted the temperature setting on the heater with the thermometer placed inside the tray so that it would stabilize at around 70F.

I also got a large syringe, which is used for injecting liquid spices into food that I can now use to inject water more precisely at various depths. The idea is to keep the root ends with most moisture while keeping the region above it somewhat dryer. Both brown and white patches can use some more precise moisture control.

A new leader emerged over last few days. #39 overtook #31. #33, #34 and #38 are all looking like they can spring to leadership. Here is #39:

#39 December 23, 2012. One month and two days old.

Here is what the white patch looks like today:

I made half inch cuts through the plastic cups near edge and attached the cups to the labeling sticks. The fan that is blowing through is quite intense. I did not want the seedlings to wobble too much. The cups placed on the side of the fan serve as a wind breakers.

Finally, I have been running a humidifier placed on the table between the white and the clear patches. The humidity in the room dropped below 30% a few days ago. With the humidifier I am able to keep it at about 40%.