Sick seedlings at 20 days. Need help.

[themoonismyfrnd]

Hello IC. I started my first grow here with "practice seeds" gifted to me from a friend. He called it "Afghanica Hu... someting". I'm not totally positive on strain. I have some good seeds, but decided to do a small grow with these as a practice run to work out the kinks.

Here is what I'm using:

400 watt MH Sun System 2 ducted to an exhaust fan

18/6 lights

Soil Mix: 50% MG Organic Potting Soil
50% Perilite/Vermiculite Mix
3 cups lime
3 cups EWC
Guano



Here is my grow space. It's a walk-in closet.

Here are the plants at 20 days from the days the seed went in the ground.

My problem is this, The bottom leaves have gotten these rust colored spots on them and growth has slowed. My PH meter sucked, so I got a new one and I was at 7.2. I added soil acidifier and watered with a gallon of distilled water that had a tsp of epsom salt in it and a squeeze of lemon. I have only watered once before this and always with distilled.

My PH was fucked in that soil, so I mixed the soil acidifier into the mix in new pots and then transplanted from the old. They seem to be getting better, so I'm assuming I was right about the PH, but I wanted to make sure and ask here. You guys know a lot I don't.

Here are the spots I'm talking about.

It only affected two (my favorite two) badly and the other two mildly. It hasn't spread since the transplant. Please help me out.


Be well.

 

[WeedChuck]

i cant see any pics bro............

 

[themoonismyfrnd]

I suppose I should add that I only watered them once before the second watering with Epsom. The first was really just a few drops.

I have a tea made from EWC and Blackstrap, but I don't think I'll need it for a couple weeks at 1/4 strength?

 

[FreezerBoy]

How to put images into your posts.

 

[themoonismyfrnd]

i cant see any pics bro............

I had them here at IC. I can try hosting elsewhere.

This work?

Sick Plants symptoms:


Plants at 20 days from planting:




Grow Space:





They seem to be growing again tonight in the better PH.

 

[Batboy]

Slow down bro. Constructive criticism:

First, I can't see pics, but I see the problem and it's not the plant, or soil, or water. . . . it's you!

Your plants are less than 3 weeks old, developed a slight problem, and you went apeshit - soil acidifier, epsom salt and lemon. Do you know why you added each of those? What was the ph of the water you added? What was the ph of the runoff?

I recommend that you visit the organics forum because it looks kindof like that's how you are growing, but it's one hell of recipe you are working with -- equal parts lime to EWC? I assume you are talking about dolomite lime, and it sounds like you used a TON of it! If I were you, I would ask an expert to weigh in on the soil -- I have no idea what that much lime would do to a seedling.

IMO you need to back off and let the plant do its thing. Water as needed and when you run into a problem, identify the problem and then apply the prescribed fix. I'm totally guessing, and can't see pics, but I think that you are going to have a tough time until you can fix that soil.

 

[themoonismyfrnd]

How to put images into your posts.

I did this the second time. I don't see why I can't get them to come up.


Also, I used a soil mix that was given to me by another grower, but I did use too much lime for the mix. I made a really large batch all at once though, so those were the ratios for that mix.

I knew my soil PH was too alkaline after multiple testings, which was a direct result of adding too much lime, so that's when I added the acidifier. All my water had a PH of 7 as well.

 

[Arthritis_sucks]

As I continue reading I keep saying all this stuff to give to seedlings......way to much.

 

[themoonismyfrnd]

I hope this works.


At 20 days from seed.


Sick leaves.




Grow area.




Temps stay between 72-80 with 40% humidity. Water is distilled so PH neutral.

 

[admiralcornport]

I would say that your soil mix is too hot for my liking... also all that acidifier and lemon and lime and epson salt buisness is not helping either. Also distilled water might not be the best idea...

from some site:

"Pure water has pH 7, so still, freshly distilled water should have a pH of 7.0. However, interaction with the atmosphere allows carbon dioxide to dissolve into it, forming carbonic acid. As a result, agitating the water or allowing it to sit for a while will leave you with an aqueous solution that drifts down in pH. Because there are no natural buffers in distilled water, the pH can go down as low as 5.0. "

I usually start in just plain promix with one tablespoon per gal of foxfarm starter granuals, for the first 3-4 weeks from seed only watering with tap water then the week before x-plant into hotter promix with more starter and ewc, i start feeding with grow big and big bloom, and some superthrive. I basicly use bogs method with some things added and some taken away.

Just relax and have patience, it usually takes about 6 weeks from seed before they are sexed and mature for flower. they definatly don't need any food and just water with tap for the next week and see if things get better. Also plants in soil wont respond very quickly to a change in water/nutes/etc. , it usually takes a day before they show signs of problems or days before they start getting better.

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

Seedlings are easy to overfert. No fertilizers is the best way to go until they start to grow. Also, your pots look too big for accurate watering. I'm not suggesting potting into smaller pots because they look fairly healthy, but I do think you need to pay close attention to watering because that's going to be the weak link for you until they get bigger.

 

[themoonismyfrnd]

Growing has slowed quite a bit. They're still growing, but not where they should be. I'm definitely going to use coco next time. I feel like there are still too many nutes in the soil.

Can they be salvaged?

 

[themoonismyfrnd]

Well, the 2 I thought were goners from the start have ended up best. The 2 small ones with the most yellowing have gone back to proper green. The first 2, the bigger ones are growing, but still yellowing on the larger fan leaves. They are at 25 days today.

I have been watering almost none since the pots are so deep BUT...


This is what I did to the two that came back. I hadn't fucked with them at all, but when it was clear they were going to die, I did an experiment. I top-dressed the soil with a 1/2 tsp of Shilajit 5:1 extract. It's something my shop sells and is full of plant based minerals and humic/fulvic acid. Within 2 days they were outshining the two without.

I know I had no clue what I was doing aside from a hunch, but I figured what the hell. This is a practice run to work out kinks before I go to the good beans. Thouhgt someone may find it interesting.

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

So, now we have yet another variable. Who knows what 'shilajit' even is? Good luck figuring it out now.

 

[themoonismyfrnd]

So, now we have yet another variable. Who knows what 'shilajit' even is? Good luck figuring it out now.

Well, they were definitely going to die, so I figured it couldn't hurt.

The reason I figured it might help is because all Shilajit is is a chlorophyll dense resinous substance pushed through layers of minerals and sediment, picking up all the good stuff as it goes.

I would never seriously consider throwing some random thing in the mix if I thought they had a chance. Certainly won't be doing it on future grows, but it seemed to fix everything on the two dying plants. Given the nature of the substance, I thought it was at least worth checking to see if it is beneficial in a controlled enviornment, especially when this grow is only as an educational experience.

 

[jaybutta]

Hello themoonismyfrnd...

Mixing big batches of soil can be tricky...correcting any mistakes after-the-fact is both a pain and a chore...small batches works well, especially for seedlings...soil additives and amendments are unnecessary for quality sustained vigorous growth...I applaud your obviously organic attempt...you will find that less is more...the plant will tell you when it's time to feed/water...your job is to look for the right signs, and to learn to read the plant...don't get ahead of yourself and certainly don't get ahead of the plant...in the end they will thank you...really do hope this helps...best of luck with everythin...jay

 

[bballsk8er333]

and to elaborate on your "they were definitely going to die"
trust me, no they were not. mari is a very resilient plant, all you may have done is caused a lower yield, but since your not flower, just longer veg time