Plants are droopy and leaves are curly/wavy

Hey guys, hope everyone is doing well. I'm new to growing cannabis and looking for some feedback. Not sure if I'm just overthinking things or I'm having legitimate issues.

I'm using a KIS organics soil from http://blackswallowsoil.com/product/kis-mix-blended-soil-651

I bought it a couple of months ago and it's been sitting in my basement until just recently. My plants are 8 days from breaking the soil and they look droopy and the leaves are wavy or curling. I plan on going to blumats when I transplant, but, just hand watering for now with room temp tap water (pH around 7). I've used a little more than a liter of water for 5 plants to this point so I don't think I'm over watering, but, I'm new so I don't really know (if anything I think I'm under watering).

Water will almost instantly run out on a couple of the solos so I'm wondering if the soil is just too compact or has become hydrophobic from sitting in the basement too long. I have been giving small amounts daily, but, took two days off this week when I had a couple leggy plants leaning over. I haven't watered yet today as I'm unsure if they need it. The cups feel heavy still, but, they're about 15-20g lighter than last night.

I had some stretchy seedlings a few days ago, but, lowered the lights and that seems to have helped. My temperatures are ranging from 72-79 F, with RH ranging from 40 to 60, but, 50-55 for the most part. I've got a fan on them as well on low setting. My light schedule is 18/6 and I'm using the Optic Slim 600h at 25% power (using 150 of 600 watts).

Nothing to worry about they look good

chernobe said:

Nothing to worry about they look good

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Thank you. I'm obsessing hard and terrified of screwing up. It just feels like something isn't right lol

Any idea what causes the wavy look though? Is that normal for young plants?

Wavy leaves are from .... wait for it .....

Nothing. Its a plant. Its thriving .

That set of “ first leaves “ come in all shapes and sizes. Overthinking a simple plant can lead to trouble. Let them start to get a bit stronger , look into what size container you will prep to transplant into. They really don’t need much and you already corrected the stretch. When you transplant those , bury the plant enough to cover that stretched stem.

TheRealJPeterman said:

Hey guys, hope everyone is doing well. I'm new to growing cannabis and looking for some feedback. Not sure if I'm just overthinking things or I'm having legitimate issues.

I'm using a KIS organics soil from http://blackswallowsoil.com/product/kis-mix-blended-soil-651

I bought it a couple of months ago and it's been sitting in my basement until just recently. My plants are 8 days from breaking the soil and they look droopy and the leaves are wavy or curling. I plan on going to blumats when I transplant, but, just hand watering for now with room temp tap water (pH around 7). I've used a little more than a liter of water for 5 plants to this point so I don't think I'm over watering, but, I'm new so I don't really know (if anything I think I'm under watering).

Water will almost instantly run out on a couple of the solos so I'm wondering if the soil is just too compact or has become hydrophobic from sitting in the basement too long. I have been giving small amounts daily, but, took two days off this week when I had a couple leggy plants leaning over. I haven't watered yet today as I'm unsure if they need it. The cups feel heavy still, but, they're about 15-20g lighter than last night.

I had some stretchy seedlings a few days ago, but, lowered the lights and that seems to have helped. My temperatures are ranging from 72-79 F, with RH ranging from 40 to 60, but, 50-55 for the most part. I've got a fan on them as well on low setting. My light schedule is 18/6 and I'm using the Optic Slim 600h at 25% power (using 150 of 600 watts). View attachment 4626858
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R U spraying them with water? My sedlings looked the same, when the drops of water evaporate out of the leaf surface. So I have stopped doing that since have noticed that they go better without it even when the humidity is below 50. But nothing to worry about they look good.

Budzbuddha said:

Wavy leaves are from .... wait for it .....

Nothing. Its a plant. Its thriving .

That set of “ first leaves “ come in all shapes and sizes. Overthinking a simple plant can lead to trouble. Let them start to get a bit stronger , look into what size container you will prep to transplant into. They really don’t need much and you already corrected the stretch. When you transplant those , bury the plant enough to cover that stretched stem.

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Thanks for the reassurance. I plan on going straight to their final home next, 5 gallon fabric pots. Will definitely bury that stem some as well.

Bukvičák said:

R U spraying them with water? My sedlings looked the same, when the drops of water evaporate out of the leaf surface. So I have stopped doing that since have noticed that they go better without it even when the humidity is below 50. But nothing to worry about they look good.

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I sprayed the soil the first couple days after they came out, but, been watering out of a glass bottle since so there hasn't been any water on the leaves for a week. Try my best not to get them wet. Thanks for the reply.

TheRealJPeterman said:

Thank you. I'm obsessing hard and terrified of screwing up. It just feels like something isn't right lol

Any idea what causes the wavy look though? Is that normal for young plants?

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Mother Nature and yes. Good luck on your grow

remember to have fun

chernobe said:

Mother Nature and yes. Good luck on your grow

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Thank you, you too!

viktorschau said:

remember to have fun

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It's a journey for sure. I do think about things way too much, but, luckily I haven't overreacted yet (thanks to the community).They are looking much much better this evening so letting them be was the right decision. Thank you and best to you!

Overwatering

I understand the apprehension when it comes to making a major decision. You don't want to fuck up, you simply can't.
better to seek advice from those who know best.
Truth is, you seem like the type of dude who really loves his plants.
Go with the gut feeling more than advice or reading too much on something.
Keep it fun and learn from your mistakes.
I went through the same process when I started growing the ayahuasca plants.
I tried to overthink the raising of twins

Appreciate the kind words. I do love them and just want them to flourish. It's tough starting out and not having someone around to coach you or share their personal knowledge. All I can really do is read and research and try and learn as I go. It's been fun and addictive so far. I'm sure some people get annoyed by the same kind of posts over and over but new growers are just trying to do their best. Most people here and other communities have been really helpful though and I appreciate them sharing their knowledge and experiences. If I stay patient, take notes, and let the plants do their thing I may eventually get pretty good at this. Either way, I'm going to enjoy the ride. Take care and good luck with your garden!

Gemtree said:

Overwatering

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I'm not sure if it'a actual overwatering, but there is MOST CERTAINLY a lack of adequate aeration.drainage. That I can tell just by looking. OP, you need much more perlite. I personally add right at 40% perlite and with other aeration used (pine bark fines/mulch, it ends closer to 50% of the mix. That 30% 'rule' is kind of a joke.

The lack of oxygen around the roots causes all kinds of problems that looks like other things. Overwatering for instance, even when you aren't.

Poor drainage means you have mud for a mix and very little grows well in mud.

Get your drainage/aeration right ASAP and watch how things improve, even if you do nothing else.

Wet

Wetdog said:

I'm not sure if it'a actual overwatering, but there is MOST CERTAINLY a lack of adequate aeration.drainage. That I can tell just by looking. OP, you need much more perlite. I personally add right at 40% perlite and with other aeration used (pine bark fines/mulch, it ends closer to 50% of the mix. That 30% 'rule' is kind of a joke.

The lack of oxygen around the roots causes all kinds of problems that looks like other things. Overwatering for instance, even when you aren't.

Poor drainage means you have mud for a mix and very little grows well in mud.

Get your drainage/aeration right ASAP and watch how things improve, even if you do nothing else.

Wet

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I've got a few more days before I transplant Are you suggesting I topdress the solo cups with some now or just mix a bunch in with my soil when I transplant?

Honestly, I thought the kis organics soil came with everything I would need. I did a fair amount of research and listened to a bunch of podcasts, everyone seemed to rave about it.

Appreciate your input!

Seems every run I do I end up with some seedlings with the lead twist like u have. I’ve never had any problems with it. They grow right out of it

TheRealJPeterman said:

I've got a few more days before I transplant Are you suggesting I topdress the solo cups with some now or just mix a bunch in with my soil when I transplant?

Honestly, I thought the kis organics soil came with everything I would need. I did a fair amount of research and listened to a bunch of podcasts, everyone seemed to rave about it.

Appreciate your input!

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SURPRISE!!!

They do put everything you 'need' in those mixes, but, that doesn't mean they add ENOUGH of those things. Profit comes first here.

IDK though, in the 48 years I've been making my own mix from scratch,i've never seen the need or expense of using any pre made soil mixes.

You need to add perlite into the mix you will be xplanting into, the solo cups will be Ok for a few days till xplant. Much greater chance of harming the seedlings with the mixing.

Add at least 30% perlite into the amount of xplant mix you have. There IS some perlite, otherwise I would suggest a higher amount.

Rule of thumb for perlite: When it looks like there is way too much, it's just right.

If you can snag some pine bark mulch along with the perlite this would be a big benefit. Cheap also. Locally it's ~$2.50/2cf bag at either Lowes or HD, or just about any garden center.

Wet

Wetdog said:

SURPRISE!!!

They do put everything you 'need' in those mixes, but, that doesn't mean they add ENOUGH of those things. Profit comes first here.

IDK though, in the 48 years I've been making my own mix from scratch,i've never seen the need or expense of using any pre made soil mixes.

You need to add perlite into the mix you will be xplanting into, the solo cups will be Ok for a few days till xplant. Much greater chance of harming the seedlings with the mixing.

Add at least 30% perlite into the amount of xplant mix you have. There IS some perlite, otherwise I would suggest a higher amount.

Rule of thumb for perlite: When it looks like there is way too much, it's just right.

If you can snag some pine bark mulch along with the perlite this would be a big benefit. Cheap also. Locally it's ~$2.50/2cf bag at either Lowes or HD, or just about any garden center.

Wet

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Thanks! I really appreciate all the info and advice. Will definitely add the perlite and look into pine bark mulch. I am interested in learning about making my own soil mix, but, I've never grown before and didn't want to bite off more than I could chew on my first run. 48 years, that's impressive!