Why Is My Peanut Plant Failing?

Question

It’s been two week since I started trying to cultivate peanut plants from raw non-roasted peanuts. The first week, I wasn’t sure about the directions given on the website on placing the starter plant on the refrigerator with plastic wrap on the planter. Thin or thick plastic wrap was not specified. Cling wrap by hefty or Saran wrap was not mentioned due to a possible advertising situation. So I placed it outdoors on an elevated deck (out door temperatures ranged from 85-95 F all week) but a squirrel came by and raided the nuts that were submerged in the potting soil mix. That made me re-plant new raw nuts from extras I had, and bring the two containers indoors. Next, following the directions I covered those planters with thin food stuff clear wrap (Hefty Cling wrap/Saran wrap) by this week I got fuzzy white spots on the topsoil. Looks like a fungus. These plants have been watered three times during this 2nd week. Right now, the two planters are half covered in the thin clear cling wrap. No signs of any sprouting action yet.

Answer 1

They are likely being very overwatered. If the soil is covered it will not have a way to lose moisture, thus watering will lead to fungal rot.

You will need to start with fresh soil, and fresh peanuts. Keep the soil, slightly, moist and they will germinate in about a week. The key is keeping the soil very slightly moist, and not wet or dry.

We call this Field Capacity. You should be able to squeeze the soil and only 1 or 2 drops of water will come out. If more than that comes out, just make sure to keep squeezing until you can do so without water coming out.

Here are some articles that will help you to grow peanuts:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/peanuts/planting-peanut-seeds.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/peanuts/growing-peanuts.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/peanuts/indoor-peanut-growing.htm