Seedlings yellow, look like crap! Help!

[ibjamming]

These are about 2 weeks old... Just sitting there turning yellow and the leaves curl under. They're in potting soil getting tap water.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=770248&ppuser=31877

Only one still has green cotyledons. I don't think they're getting too much water, it just get's spritzed, not soakings of water. The dirt is a blend of mushroom compost and pearlite. I can't believe it's overwatered or the ph is bad.

Why are seedlings such a pain in the ass?

I can get 99% to pop, they look wonderful, nice and green and healthy...for about a week. And then they go downhill...FAST. They stop growing, the cotyledons and leaves turn yellow, they just look like shit...

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Retardo Motabon]

What is your soil and air temperature? Low temps could cause a problem.
You said it wasn't pH. Are you sure? I'd do a runoff reading on your mushroom compost if you have some left in the bag. It would b worth transplanting one into a seed starter medium like FF Light Warrior or another low ppm light mix.
I would give them a misting with a mild balanced fert such as thrive alive with B1 for stress. Just use a very low concentration like 250-300ppm's. Not all the time, just once, then see if they green up. Just my . Good luck, stay positive!
RM

 

[Soulman869]

honestly, those look underwatered if anything, try a heavy feed with plenty of water

 

[Retardo Motabon]

They are in a large pot that looks fully moist. a heavy watering could be the death of them. They are just lil babes, barely drinking yet.
RM

 

[HeadyPete]

The mushroom compost is burning them. Transplant asap to seed starting soil or plain coco.....no nutrients until the cotyledons yellow.

Always start seeds in nutrient free media and mix in at least 30% perlite.

 

[ibjamming]

Thanks for the speedy replies...

I don't know what it is...I can't grow anything in "soil" anymore. Every time I start seedlings in soil, they turn into droopy, yellow, shit. Actually, there are the wife's plants. It's not underwatered, I assure you.

I have my own crop, and it's doing much better...I have one (a male unfortunately, via preflowers) growing in pea gravel in a 3gal pot using AN sensi. Man, it's a beauty! Wider than it is tall and it's gotta be more than 2ft across. Huge leaves twice the size of my hand. But it's a damn male...

I also started 2 in a DWC. I can't believe that you can grown in water! My ph is really high...like 8 and I'm on my way to find a cheap way (like vinegar) to bring it down a few notches... Anyone know the ratio per gallon? Like one teaspoon per gal for one point like 8 to 7 or 7 to 6? They look good, nice roots forming and good growth. They're both just now leaving the seedling stage and starting to take off...

 

[Headcase]

don't get cheap with PH down. vinegar won't keep your water ph down for very long. GH makes some great ph down. It's like 12 bucks for a quart, and that quart will last you forever. I use like 1ml at a time.

 

[NFR]

Sprinkle some dolomite on the surface of the soil. Buy some strong PH buffers. For you a little will go a long way.

 

[Retardo Motabon]

Word! I've had the same quart of pH down for about 8-10 years, it cost about 8$ and it is still a third full.
Compost isn't the same as soil. it is not meant for seed starting, its a soil amendment. Starting seedlings in small pots will help to avoid soggy soil that stays wet too long and has too little oxygen. Compost that stays wet will create an environment that anaerobic bacteria will thrive in, and promotes root rot.
RM

 

[Weedhound]

How many times have you done the exact same thing? Change something until you find out what the problem is. You say they all do great....for a week and then all go downhill.
Start by changing your soil if you haven't. Pull your light back if there's a chance its too close and causing heat issues. I'd just go one by one until you find the issue.......it could be a combination of things as well. But i'd start with the basics....good soil (for seedlings which includes correct ph) and easy on the lighting (not really sure what kind of lighting you have......)

 

[Weedhound]

and and and......just an aside.....I wouldn't put more than one plant in each pot and start with smaller pots as well.

 

[MJane'spoontang]

I'm going to agree with heady pete on this one. They are getting burnt up. Take em out of that soil and put them into something without nutes, and with more aeration. Also do like weedhound says and keep em seperated. Once they start gettin bigger the roots will become intertwined and they will start to compete for space/nutes but you won't be able to do anything about it cuz you won't be able to separate them.