What is normal growth for seedling

BobBitchen said:

next time try keeping seedlings in an appropriate size container, they dont need 3gals of medium, easier to over water, maybe germ in solo cup, 1/2 full of medium, add soil as seedling grows, then to one gal & veg awhile, from there they should be strong enough to go into any size ya want............or not.....

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I did read that 3 gallon containers are too big for seedlings. I also read transplanting autos is not advised. So what I did, was cut the bottom of a party cup, and place it at the top of the growing medium. And I planted it like that in the fabric 3-gallon pot. I learned this from this one site.

Under tip # 10, you'll see what I did.
http://www.growersguidetocannabis.com/10-top-tips-for-autoflowering-plants-a-better-yield/

Roger A. Shrubber said:

actually somewhere along here i lost track of the fact these are autos. 99% of what i said is still valid. you may have stunted them a little, but i'd still use this as a learning experience, unless space is a real issue. everything you learn this time you can apply to the next time. if you can take an auto with problems and still make it produce something, the next time you'll do even better on a plant with no major issues to deal with.

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definitely a learning experience, mistakes are the best teachers

In my experience when starting seedlings of in smaller containers using something easily removable as to not mess too much with the root structure is key. I often fill a sandwich bag full of soil and wet it and pack it down very gently so it has a nice flat bottom. I them plant my germinated seed in there. When the plant has a good root system going on after a few weeks I transplant to their finishing pots. The plastic from the sandwich bags is so easily removed the roots don't get disturbed at all and I see no signs of stress at all. I'll see if I can upload a pic of my sandwich bag seed starting.

So I have a new batch that has sprouted and has been above ground for about 4-5 days. Unfortunately, I believe I've fucked things up again by having way too low of a humidity. It's only been 40%. There's so much misinformation out there it's extremely aggravating. I've never seen something that is supposed to be science, so all over the map. Some people say as long as the seedlings have moisture in the medium they'll be fine, while many others preach that high humidity is super important for specific stages.

So I just got back from Walmart with a humidifier. I'm beyond frustrated. I was just reading, that the first 10 days are critical for seedlings and humidity is supposed to be more like 70-80% not 40% like I've had mine. I know I've stressed and/or stunted them because of it. That's why people buy these propogator things, because they work and are what's needed. I just happened to come across a thread somewhere that says otherwise, and believe it. I'm sure they would grow decently, but there's no doubt in my mind, I've screwed them over a bit with these bone dry conditions. Going to yank yet another batch out and start over. Oh of course I have 1 of them 5 showing overwatering signs, drooping leaves like crazy, and I barely watered it. What a joke this is. I should just put all my equipment on craigslist and end this debacle.

jclaxton78 said:

So I have a new batch that has sprouted and has been above ground for about 4-5 days. Unfortunately, I believe I've fucked things up again by having way too low of a humidity. It's only been 40%. There's so much misinformation out there it's extremely aggravating. I've never seen something that is supposed to be science, so all over the map. Some people say as long as the seedlings have moisture in the medium they'll be fine, while many others preach that high humidity is super important for specific stages.

So I just got back from Walmart with a humidifier. I'm beyond frustrated. I was just reading, that the first 10 days are critical for seedlings and humidity is supposed to be more like 70-80% not 40% like I've had mine. I know I've stressed and/or stunted them because of it. That's why people buy these propogator things, because they work and are what's needed. I just happened to come across a thread somewhere that says otherwise, and believe it. I'm sure they would grow decently, but there's no doubt in my mind, I've screwed them over a bit with these bone dry conditions. Going to yank yet another batch out and start over. Oh of course I have 1 of them 5 showing overwatering signs, drooping leaves like crazy, and I barely watered it. What a joke this is. I should just put all my equipment on craigslist and end this debacle.

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How do the seedlings look? As long as the soil is damp enough and not too wet I've never had issues with seedlings at that humidity level. Did they shrivel up or something? If they look fine I wouldn't worry.

Pete Townshend said:

How do the seedlings look? As long as the soil is damp enough and not too wet I've never had issues with seedlings at that humidity level. Did they shrivel up or something? If they look fine I wouldn't worry.

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Not good. Only 1 looks healthy. 1 died because of damping off, and the others look either wilted or shriveled and have tiny leaves. I didn't overwater them after planting them. But probably had too much moisture in the medium to begin with.

If I can get through the first 10-14 days, I will be so happy and on my way. And I won't be spazzing out after that. he. I've read, that during this time to have not only good root development but also not have them wilted or stunted. I just want a normal looking beginning, not some shriveled up, wilted and/or stunted excuse for a seedling. And like I said, everyone says that the first 2 weeks are major league important.

I have some pics. A couple of them had a lot of difficulty even opening, probably due to the really low humidity. One even had shed its seed husk/shell, but couldn't open as there was a thin layer of seed remnant still encasing it. It probably had hardened, preventing it from opening over the course of a few days. Two others had the seed shell barely hanging onto the tips of the leaves, which kind of squeezed them together in a horse shoe like shape. That's why it looks tiny and shriveled. And then we have another Wilt Chamberlain.

Very discouraged. But I will be yanking and planting new ones in a day or 2, as I have more seeds germinating. I don't care what it takes, I demand a decent freaking start and I won't stop until I get that. Once that happens, the super fragile period will be ending and I can just breath a sigh of relief.

Try a different medium. Maybe buy a bag of organic soil without time release nuts. Maybe start them of in that. I start seeds in sandwich bags with potting mix and it never fails. I soak the seeds in a damp paper towel in a bag until they crack and plant them about 1/3" inch deep.

Pete Townshend said:

Try a different medium. Maybe buy a bag of organic soil without time release nuts. Maybe start them of in that. I start seeds in sandwich bags with potting mix and it never fails. I soak the seeds in a damp paper towel in a bag until they crack and plant them about 1/3" inch deep.

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That's a great suggestion and I looked into that before. But the tent is in my bedroom and I heard way too much about pests with soil, especially organic. If it wasn't in the room I sleep in, I'd have gone that route. But I can't deal with critters crawling on my balls in the middle of the night! lol.

I don't think it's the medium itself, but moreso the amount of moisture I had in it when I planted. Still too much. I yanked them all and only one of them looked healthy in terms of the root, with branching out. Others looked bare in that aspect and unhealthy. But the one w/good looking roots was also one that had shriveled looking leaves.

Third time's a charm I hope. Going to really dry out the medium before planting. I'm suffocating them w/moisture in the mix, even when I don't water from above the surface (post planting).

jclaxton78 said:

That's a great suggestion and I looked into that before. But the tent is in my bedroom and I heard way too much about pests with soil, especially organic. If it wasn't in the room I sleep in, I'd have gone that route. But I can't deal with critters crawling on my balls in the middle of the night! lol.

I don't think it's the medium itself, but moreso the amount of moisture I had in it when I planted. Still too much. I yanked them all and only one of them looked healthy in terms of the root, with branching out. Others looked bare in that aspect and unhealthy. But the one w/good looking roots was also one that had shriveled looking leaves.

Third time's a charm I hope. Going to really dry out the medium before planting. I'm suffocating them w/moisture in the mix, even when I don't water from above the surface (post planting).

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Many people grow indoors with soil in tents like myself and may or may not get pests either way, but there are preventative measures you can take that aren't expensive. Good luck Sir.

Pete Townshend said:

Many people grow indoors with soil in tents like myself and may or may not get pests either way, but there are preventative measures you can take that aren't expensive. Good luck Sir.

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Thanks bud, I'm really trying. Appreciate the advice and insight.

jclaxton78 said:

Thanks bud, I'm really trying. Appreciate the advice and insight.

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You have made this as hard as possible to avoid a few gnats? A layer of sand on top of your soil will cure that. This grower sez: Get photo seeds marked easy, get your pens, use good water, 2 gal. pots, well drained phed. soil, cfls and party cups for seedlings, quality neuts. Do these things and you have a good chance of having a successful grow. Going down your current path looks like a rough row to hoe.