Hawaii Growers

Rolinman

Member
Hey growers,
just starting and running into stunt seedlings (or at least some very very slow growth). I’m using aerated tap water which has a tds of 270 here (not sure if that’s the issue, that I ph to 6.0 with citric acid. Growing in solo cup with espoma starter mix. Here’s a pic, these are a month old now. I’ve been watering only when the cup feels half its weight. What I’m a doing wrong?E946E99A-E93F-47F8-B57C-C406A1B586BD.jpeg
 

waterproof808

Well-Known Member
Hey growers,
just starting and running into stunt seedlings (or at least some very very slow growth). I’m using aerated tap water which has a tds of 270 here (not sure if that’s the issue, that I ph to 6.0 with citric acid. Growing in solo cup with espoma starter mix. Here’s a pic, these are a month old now. I’ve been watering only when the cup feels half its weight. What I’m a doing wrong?View attachment 4972759
They need nutrients. Espoma starter mix has no nutrient content, its mostly just inert peat moss and perlite with a little bit of beneficial fungi. Also, the directions say to transplant out of that mix as soon as the first True leaves appear, and you are well past that. I'd transplant it into a soil mix that has more nutrients in it or feed them a light dose of liquid fertilizer if you have any.
 

Rolinman

Member
They need nutrients. Espoma starter mix has no nutrient content, its mostly just inert peat moss and perlite with a little bit of beneficial fungi. Also, the directions say to transplant out of that mix as soon as the first True leaves appear, and you are well past that. I'd transplant it into a soil mix that has more nutrients in it or feed them a light dose of liquid fertilizer if you have any.
Ok, thanks.. I will transplant into 5gal fabric pot. I had sprinkled a pinch of down to earth 444 dry amendments couple weeks ago. Also made a very light rabbit manure tea. should I gave them more of that or the 444? Do you think the water quality could be problematic here?
 
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waterproof808

Well-Known Member
I'd go into 1 gallon pot before a 5 until they harden off. The thing with dry amendments is you need microbial activity in your soil to break it down and make it available to your plants, and your starter mix barely has any microbes in it to break down your amendments. Transplanting in better soil will make a big difference.
 

Rolinman

Member
I'd go into 1 gallon pot before a 5 until they harden off. The thing with dry amendments is you need microbial activity in your soil to break it down and make it available to your plants, and your starter mix barely has any microbes in it to break down your amendments. Transplanting in better soil will make a big difference.
ok, thanks for your help. I’ve started moving a few into 1gal with FFOF. Hoping they will catch up88BF001A-0AE2-4A7C-8C51-A4585AF45410.jpeg
 

Rolinman

Member
Just curious on water tds and EC. I’m reading 194 tds on my aerated tap water and 680 us/cm which I’m gathering is 680 EC? Is that good for growing these? 78 degrees also
 

waterproof808

Well-Known Member
Just curious on water tds and EC. I’m reading 194 tds on my aerated tap water and 680 us/cm which I’m gathering is 680 EC? Is that good for growing these? 78 degrees also
You need to multiply 680 by 0.001 to convert it to millisiemens. Your EC is 0.68, which is kind of high and seems too high for a 194 tds reading. My tap water in hilo is less than 0.1EC.
 
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