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I planted five Mimosa Pudica seeds in soil pellet. Three started growing, but two of them died after two weeks. Why, and how could I prevent this? I soaked the seeds in 30-35°C warm water before planting, kept them in a 18-25°C warm room after with plenty of sunlight, and kept the pellet wet. I watered it from the downside, about 5mm of the downside of the pellet stood in water all the time. Recently I found some tiny (6-8mm wide) white mildew colonies growing on the top of the pellet 1-3 cm away from the plants. I must admit I'm a totally noob plantkeeper. If you need additional details I haven't think of, please ask.)

Picture: picture about the plant

Neinstein
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    Shouldn't have mildew anywhere. Likely too much water. I usually blame stem riot when this happens, but hard to tell without pix. https://www.google.com/search?q=stem+rot&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 – Wayfaring Stranger Sep 22 '17 at 14:20
  • @Wayfaring Not too much to see, but added picture. Water can be the reason - the included description advised me to keep the pellet wet, so I did... – Neinstein Sep 22 '17 at 14:41
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    Shoot, when you plant seeds you plant a seed in a small pot such as 1 1/2 inch by 2". Putting seeds in a too large pot doesn't mimic the garden. Too much water in relation to roots to suck the water up. I'd transplant your starts into tiny pots and use a sprayer to water shallowly. No fertilizer yet. Planting seeds for starts in a too large pot will always cost starts because too much soil, too little of roots will enhance root rot and water problems. Have you added fertilizer? – stormy Sep 22 '17 at 20:39
  • And you never want water sitting in your saucer. Tiny plants only need surface water, shallow and kept moist with a sprayer. Plant in tiny tiny pots with potting soil, not garden soil. When they get large enough to start sucking up the water then you water deeply and allow to dry before watering again. This is when fertilizer is needed. Balanced. Don't use compost or epsom salts or fish emulsion, you need a simple balanced fertilizer such as Osmocote 14-14-14 extended release. Basic. Simple. Once or twice per year... – stormy Sep 22 '17 at 20:44
  • @stormy I actually got the seeds in a kit with two of this pot and compressed pellets for them (and with very basic instructions...). I just watered one, put half of the seeds in it, and watered it. No fertilizer did I use. I could try moving the survivor to a smaller spot, but should I? And I still have another five to experiment, to plant them properly... Thanks for your advice. – Neinstein Sep 22 '17 at 22:38
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    Fertilizer is not necessary yet. Light, warmth, not too much moisture but constant light moisture.. Use a sprayer to soak just around the roots of the little seedling. Leave these guys alone but when you plant your remaining seeds lets try a starting pot. Not sure exactly what your kit provided but let's try to ensure a few of these seeds get a decent start. These companies count on the fact you will think it is YOUR fault and all that guilt will make you complaisant. Let me know – stormy Sep 23 '17 at 00:17

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Compliing @stormy's comments into an answer:

Shoot, when you plant seeds you plant a seed in a small pot such as 1 1/2 inch by 2". Putting seeds in a too large pot doesn't mimic the garden. Too much water in relation to roots to suck the water up. I'd transplant your starts into tiny pots and use a sprayer to water shallowly. No fertilizer yet. Planting seeds for starts in a too large pot will always cost starts because too much soil, too little of roots will enhance root rot and water problems. Have you added fertilizer?

And you never want water sitting in your saucer. Tiny plants only need surface water, shallow and kept moist with a sprayer. Plant in tiny tiny pots with potting soil, not garden soil. When they get large enough to start sucking up the water then you water deeply and allow to dry before watering again. This is when fertilizer is needed. Balanced. Don't use compost or epsom salts or fish emulsion, you need a simple balanced fertilizer such as Osmocote 14-14-14 extended release. Basic. Simple. Once or twice per year...

Fertilizer is not necessary yet. Light, warmth, not too much moisture but constant light moisture. Use a sprayer to soak just around the roots of the little seedling. Leave these guys alone but when you plant your remaining seeds lets try a starting pot. Not sure exactly what your kit provided but let's try to ensure a few of these seeds get a decent start. These companies count on the fact you will think it is YOUR fault and all that guilt will make you complaisant.

Neinstein
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