Need help on stunted seedlings

Hey Guys,

Here is a quick rundown of what I am using

Strain: Dna genetics rocklock and lemon skunk
Soil: Fox Farm Light warrior
Water: filtered tap water with a PH of 6.5 - 6.7 that has been sitting out for a day
Container size: 4 inches high 3 inches wide
Light source: T5 set up
Location: Grown tent with a steady temp of 80 degrees and 40 humidity with great circulation and exhaust.

And here is my problem

They are on day 19 now since they germinated and they havent grown in about a week. They are about 2 - 2.5 inches tall and a the lower leaf tips are starting to burn and all the color gets drained from the lower leaves and gradually works its way up.

First I was thinking the soil was to hot for them, but as I researched it looks like nitrogen def from too much water. So the past 2 days I put them outside in the heat to see they can dry up a bit more and maybe get some good sun and nitrogen. So far it hasnt worked at all.

I am thinking of maybe trying to get regular soil and getting them out of the fox farm. might be hard if the root system is developed enough. I just dont know what to do. they look like they are on day 2 not day 19

Originally Posted by racerboy71
During the first week or so, a new plant puts a lot of energy into creating a healthy root strutcure, and you may not see a lot of growth going on above soil, but rest assured, its doing plenty of growing below the soil, and once those roots get established, the above soil growth should also start to take off..

We're not going to Guam, are we?

so should i just let them go for now?

Nothing to really worry about yet. The pH level seems a bit high. Is that the reading from the run-off water or what you got sitting around?

some pictures might help.

oceanic6 said:

so should i just let them go for now?

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What part of... During the first week or so, a new plant puts a lot of energy into creating a healthy root strutcure, and you may not see a lot of growth going on above soil, but rest assured, its doing plenty of growing below the soil, and once those roots get established, the above soil growth should also start to take off..did you not understand?

He said hes on day 19, and I sprouted some on July 14th, which makes em 17 days old, and have a 7 Inch plant that is already topped at the 5th node(A full week ago) Although this is an abnormally large plant in ratio to the others, which are at half its size.

And I have 12" week old plants so whats your point?

sounds like you might have a number of things. The yellowing is classic signs of a nitrogen defficiency. If you are feeding nitrogen then I'd first look at a lockout (PH too low can cause this). If lockout isn't the culprit than slowly increase the nitrogen you give it. This *could* also be caused by over watering.

I also would start thinking about transplanting to something like a 1gal pot. 3"x4" isn't very large. If the roots have no room to continue to grow the plants growth will be stunted.

gobbly said:

I also would start thinking about transplanting to something like a 1gal pot. 3"x4" isn't very large. If the roots have no room to continue to grow the plants growth will be stunted.

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I will disagree. At 2.5'' there is still plenty of room for the roots to grow. (unless this plant is sitting in like a 3 oz rockwool cube or something). Once again, if you got pics let's see em. Otherwise it's hard to tell what's wrong with 'em.

Bonzi Lighthouse said:

What part of... During the first week or so, a new plant puts a lot of energy into creating a healthy root strutcure, and you may not see a lot of growth going on above soil, but rest assured, its doing plenty of growing below the soil, and once those roots get established, the above soil growth should also start to take off..did you not understand?

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I am on week 3...not week 1...did you not read my post? I also said they are loosing color and burning...I dont know why you would think this is normal in week 3 and compare it to something that happens in week 1...I also dont know why you are giving me a hard time for asking a question about something that is obviously wrong with my plants. I have not seen this before and was wondering if anyone has and, if so, if they had any information on it. Sorry if my questions bothered you. But, nonetheless, thank you for the response.

TommyHobby said:

Nothing to really worry about yet. The pH level seems a bit high. Is that the reading from the run-off water or what you got sitting around?

some pictures might help.

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what i have sitting around. i will take some pictures tomorrow. thanks for all the help guys.

TommyHobby said:

I will disagree. At 2.5'' there is still plenty of room for the roots to grow. (unless this plant is sitting in like a 3 oz rockwool cube or something). Once again, if you got pics let's see em. Otherwise it's hard to tell what's wrong with 'em.

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good point... when I posted I was still thinking 19 days, not 2.5", d'oh!

oceanic6 said:

what i have sitting around. i will take some pictures tomorrow. thanks for all the help guys.

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Oceanic, try testing the run-off water after you give the plants a good watering. The soil could change the pH level drastically ! You should adjust the pH according to those readings instead.

just tested the runoff. it is 6.6

I took a peek at the roots today and they look healthy enough. I was thinking of maybe transplanting into regular soil with no nutes added to see if that helps. Maybe my light warrior is too hot. The leaves are burning and loosing color. my whole plant is almost white. i dont know what else to do. the waiting game isnt working. they are just getting worse.

oceanic6 said:

just tested the runoff. it is 6.6

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next time you water, lower the pH in the water to compensate for the difference. I'd lower it by 0.4

Also, definitely hold off on the transplant until the plant is healthy. The problem you are having have nothing to do with the root system being bound. Instead, flush the soil with water , PLENTY of it. You will flush out alot of the harmful nutrients that you think are burning up the plant.

Still waiting for those pictures.

You might have over watered them, so wait 2 or 3 days between waterings and water on the outside of the pot! Not at the base get yourself some superthive, or fish emulsion and try that. Superthrive has hormones that will help your roots, fish emulsion, will bring the leafs back to color and give ur babys some nitrogen that they probably need. But as long as they're standing your ok. Just have paitence.

day 21 and still no movement other then more color loss.

okay it is now 1 month and still no movement. They are 1.5 inches tall and look good except they are 1 month old... they look strong so i dont know whats going on with them. any idea?