Hi, so I noticed 2 days ago that my 5-6 week old cucumber plant has developed mold on the lower stem and a couple small spots on lower leaves. It has nothing to do with my environment as all 9 other plants are perfectly fine in the same room..only difference is this miracle gro garbage I had to buy. All other mixes are quality pro-mix blend. however Chinese tire stopped selling it this year, and so I had to get all they had, which was miracle gro moisture control. I haven't even watered the cuke yet as the soil felt damp enough..its been a month and the plant is near 3 feet tall. I have no choice but to throw the plant away as I cant risk leaving it in the vicinity of my other plants. My question is, can I add something to this terrible quality soil to amend it and make sure whatever diseases that were in it are gone, or is it safer to just throw it all away and get something else? I knew I should have just got perlite and grown it in that..every single one of these forums have one thing in common with advice. DO NOT BUY MIRACLE GRO!!! I didn't listen, thought it was all talk. Absolutely the worst 'soil' that exists!!!

Personally, I like Miracle Gro potting soil but I hate Miracle Gro Moisture Control. And I think that is your problem: Moisture Control.

Your cucumber is not a lost cause but you will be fighting the mold/fungus. Dust the spots and stem with cinnamon. Its not catching so don't do anything drastic. Provide lots of air circulation by placing a fan in your grow room.

I use Miracle Gro and have had no troubles with it, but I do not buy the moisture control type. It keeps plants too wet, and problems occur.

DaisyI said:Personally, I like Miracle Gro potting soil but I hate Miracle Gro Moisture Control. And I think that is your problem: Moisture Control.

Your cucumber is not a lost cause but you will be fighting the mold/fungus. Dust the spots and stem with cinnamon. Its not catching so don't do anything drastic. Provide lots of air circulation by placing a fan in your grow room.

Thank you for the replies..yes..it controls moisture so well, that it never dries up! I will just throw the soil out then..not worth the headache for a few dollars..lesson learned! I always have a fan going in the room..temps are low 20's and humidity is at 40-50%. It's not the environment..again..all other plants are doing just perfect..this is my first ever episode of mold or disease or bugs inside..and it's also the first time I use this 'soil'. I couldn't believe that a month in, at 3 feet tall..never having watered the plant..the soil was still damp..with 600 watts of lights above it and a fan blowing on it! Im not attempting to cure it! The 5-10$ plant is not worth keeping to risk infecting all the other plants!
I also use silica on all my other plants which helps prevent this very thing..but since I haven't had to water it yet..no silica has been added either.