Sick little seedling.

[b.r.adley]

This little sheila popped out of the ground roughly 2 weeks ago. The temperature in my grow closet is fairly low. Before I got the space heater yesterday it would range from 21'C on and 15'C off. I am aware that the slow growth my crop has experienced is directly related to the temperature and humidity being on the low side. I have one seedling who is looking particularly sick though. I am tight for space and want to know if you think this girl can be saved, or if it isn't worth my space and my effort to maintain her. Her seedling leaves have gone almost completely yellow and the true leaves are beginning to yellow at the tips as well as droop a little. It is very obvious when compared to the rest of them that something is wrong with this one. The rest all have very healthy looking true leaves. The leaves are also much bigger then the ones this one is showing.

The soil is a pre-mix potting soil from my local hydro shop. I have been watering using water from my water cooler that stands for a minimum of 24 hours prior to use. I am not sure of the pH but my guess would be that it is very close to a neutral 7. I have about 20 little girls all under 4 daylight CFLs as well as 4 24" flouro tubes of varying spectrums. Basically I'm curious as to whether the problem may be in the genetics of the seeds or something I've done and whether or not it can be fixed.

Any idea or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I can include a picture of my setup if it will help with a diagnosis.

 

[robert 14617]

your overwintering its going to die get it into some fresh soil and a larger container with drain holes.....

 

[b.r.adley]

your overwintering its going to die get it into some fresh soil and a larger container with drain holes.....

Thanks for the quick reply. I have been in the process of transplanting this weekend. I ran out of soil. I'm getting more today. I only have room for 15 of the bigger pots in my closet and I have 18 that need transplanted. I need to eliminate a couple of the weak ones or figure out a way to fit more. I ask because I am wondering if you think this has potential or should I just cut it from the team. I'm going to include a picture of my transplant pot which contains a plant that looks like the majority of the rest of my babies. The new pots are about 8" deep and maybe for or 6" in diameter. I am hoping there is enough space in those pots to at least get them to sexing. Then when I clear up some space by eliminating the males I will make one more transplant into the final pot.

 

[robert 14617]

keep them as long as you can in case the better looking plants are male

 

[b.r.adley]

I'll do my best to squeeze as many of them in as I can. I tried to take some pictures of my setup but my only camera is my laptop webcam and it is very difficult to get it into that tight space to properly show how I'm set up. It is a white plastic rubbermaid closet. It was made for storing coats in but is perfect for my use. It's about 5'6" tall and measures 20"x40" I believe on the bottom. The front zips open which allows me to seal it up completely and still have easy access. I cut a hole in the side of it and then replaced the hole with the screen from a window. I have a fan positioned outside the box at that screen to keep the air moving. With the space heater I just purchased I was able to bump the temps up to 25'C lights on and about 22'C lights off. I am still having trouble with humidity. I cannot get it above 35ish% I have 2 different bowls of water sitting in the box evaporating and I try to mist the air periodically but that only seems to increase humidity temporarily.

 

[robert 14617]

i cant help with that im in so tex near the gulf of mex my humidity is 50% on a dry day out side

 

[Extortion22]

yeah dude get them into a pot with better drainage. when you think its time to water, stick your finger in the soil up to the first or second knuckle and feel to make sure its dry! if it feels damp still then dont water yet.

another test is to pick up the pot and plant and see how heavy it is. if its really light then it probably needs to be watered. also depending on your medium like mine it will start to shrivel up around the edges. like the dirt will pull away from the edge of the pot. dirt will shrink when it drys up.

all of these things can be used as tests to see if your plants are ready to be watered.

Whats happeneing to your plant is its being overwatered and then when your not looking like when the lights are off your plant is drooping and touching the soil. the tips of the leaves get wet and then when the lights come back on the water magnifies the light hitting the leaves causing them to burn.

if you fix the problem your plant should come back to life. make sure you have them nice and close to the loghts, as close as you can get them without burning them! Good luck!

 

[b.r.adley]

I had a bunch of drainage holes poked in the bottom of the cup, but they were all pinholes so the drainage provided by them probably wasn't enough. I have been using all of your methods to try and judge when watering is necessary. Half of my crop so far has been transplanted into the bigger pots I was talking about. It doesn't seem like they are facing any shock what so ever. They are loving the new pots and the increased heat in the room. I was soooo glad I finally got my hands on heater. Damn you Canadian winter

 

[Extortion22]

I had a bunch of drainage holes poked in the bottom of the cup, but they were all pinholes so the drainage provided by them probably wasn't enough. I have been using all of your methods to try and judge when watering is necessary. Half of my crop so far has been transplanted into the bigger pots I was talking about. It doesn't seem like they are facing any shock what so ever. They are loving the new pots and the increased heat in the room. I was soooo glad I finally got my hands on heater. Damn you Canadian winter

i know how you feel i have 3 of my first plants ever in flower in a box outside in the shed. it just snowed the other day and they got really cold. they arent looking too good. its been 8 days and still no sign of sex!