Hi,
Exactly two & half weeks ago started next horticulture with Indian Spinach- Palak(Spinacia Oleracea).
I opted for Furrowing then sowed around 12 seeds, 6 in series & parallel to each other. As per instruction on seed packet I kept soil moist & exactly in 4 days seeds germinated. All was going right till 1 & half week and then I found few seedlings fall over like its got tiny cut on middle part of stem & above part bend due to it. I gave support & made it erect by gathering soil together & even tying up carefully to toothpick but efforts went in vein & all died.

During these 1 & half week I opted for semi-shade sunlight against the seed packet instruction- "Expose to sunlight after one week". So I felt lack of sunlight may causing issue & kept it outdoor & put Mosquito nets to protect from birds & excessive sunlight.
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But result was even worse & that now almost all seedling are falling over. A quick Google search caused fear in mind, Are my spinach seedling become victim of "Damping off" ??

If yes is there any way to save them? What must have gone wrong?? I opted for regular soil+compost mixture readily available in market.

I'm thinking of Following implementations before sowing next time please advise & correct me
1. Prepare soil by mixing with NPK Fertilizer.(spinach's Nitrogen requirement)
2. Add bio ingredients like neem cake & after market products to enrich soil ability to battle predators.
3. Wet seeds in humic acid & then sow or spray humic acid on soil before sowing to stimulate root growth.
4. Use Plant/seed starter solution as per instructions.

But is it overdoing infact overthinking after all its hobby not Pro agriculturing? Anyways I get my involved so much into this & i love doing R&D

Seedlings need sunlight, or an equivalent artificial light, not shade. When you cover the container, you not only shade the seedlings but keep air from circulating, thus encouraging the fungal organisms that cause damping-off.

Fortunately, spinach is quick to germinate and grow, so you can start over. You might want to sterilize that soil before you re-use it. Putting it in the sunlight would do that.

Just keep in mind that plants need air, moisture, and the proper temperature to germinate. Good luck!

Good Gardening, Mary

About Spinach, only two seedlings survived & growing well. I dosed an Organic Liquid NPK(8-8-8) & seems to be response is too Good. I saw boost in Leaves' size. Meanwhile also sow some seeds two days ago & yipeee...Germinated today & I'm blessed with another pairs of Babies...Love them :)

As ltilton rightly said they are quick to germinate & grow.

Mary & laceyvail, thanks for your advise. Now I'm exposing seedlings to sunlight from day one & also keeping soil moist enough.

@Slimy_Okra- Seed instructions packet mentioned its best to sow in Summer. Unfortunately Like many other regions here the climate is also victim of Global Warming & temperature raised badly, its never been that hot till this year.
Initially I made mistake of not keeping less height of soil bed; I could have top it up bit more so that seedlings got enough sunlight without stretching.

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