Have only just come across this article. So I hope the following item will be of interest which I found in a garden magazine I picked up some time ago.
Most gardeners have suffered at the hands of the dreaded damping off disease (Botrytis). It's a fungus that attacks seedlings, young plants, and even seeds before they germinate. The most obvious symptoms are when otherwise healthy¬ looking seedlings just collapse, for no apparent reason, but you can adopt a plan to reduce the risk of infection. Always use clean pots and trays, and a good quality compost. Sow seeds thinly. Remove glass or polythene coverings on pots and trays as soon as seedlings germinate or cuttings have taken. Avoid damaging the seedlings when pricking out. Don't overwater. Open vents and doors on greenhouses when ever possible. If necessary use a fungicide although there is becoming less and less choice on the shelves nowadays. Cheshunt Compound, a long established contact fungicide is about the best bet. Mix it with water to make a solution for watering onto the compost.
