Ok. So, 2 days ago, just after my last post, I was downstairs. I had previous to this transplanted the only surviving FI seedling into a better container. The pot it was in was low on soil, and only gave the root 1.5-2 inches at most to grow. I didn't want to go straight into my larger square pot and I had a 2 liter bottle with me, so that is where it went. All was going well and the root had already reached the bottom of the 2 liter bottle as of 2 days ago after my last post. I got concerned about having issued getting the plant out of that bottle because of the shape of the bottom and decided to do it sooner rather than later, so away I went. I prepared my square pot and my mix and turned to the plant. I very carefully began attempting to remove it from the bottle. Cutting slits and removing sections of the bottle I thought would help me ease the plant out. Cut this story short, I ended up literally breaking off what I can only assume was the entirety of the root system.
It was like 3 inches long and had smaller roots coming out of it closer to the "top". At the very "top" of the root, there was a small white mass. I assume this was literally the bottom of the plant.
After shedding a few tears, I went into recovery mode. I added more soil to my square pot (since the plant is now only in about 1/3 of the soil it used to be) and I planted it. I watered it very well and let it drain well then I put it as close to the lights as possible in the pot it is in now.
I rolled a joint and smoked it while saying my goodbye's, and made a promise to make the plant comfortable during its last days. I have been keeping the temp about 25, and the RH about 65, and I have been misting the plant a few times a day hoping that it will put less strain on the plant because it has no roots now.
Ok, so what can I say. 2 days later. The plant doesn't even seem to be stunted. The second set of leaves has grown a good 30% of what it was before the accident, and also, the third set of leaves is now growing up and the plant looks great. No drooping, no color issues, no growth stunting as far as I can tell. I mean, I expect to wake up the next morning and see a poor droopy dying plant to toss out. Instead, so far at least, I am experiencing the exact opposite!
So, how long will it take for her to die? Is this a cruel joke by mother nature that will be exposed in the next day?
Or, is there some kind of hope to reach for?
When I went down this morning my jaw dropped. I could not believe that this plant was still growing strong.
So, to be clear. about 60 hours ago, I am pretty sure I accidentally removed her root system. What the hell is going on?
When I was reading, one guy commented "clones survive with no roots don't they?". This perked me up a little bit.
But it is soo young, any opinions on whether or not this plant will live? If it does, I hope to keep these strong survival genes and use it as a parent.
My head tells me its already dead, but my eyes just are not seeing that yet.
I am so ashamed I couldn't even post it for 2 days... LOL
On another note. I have begun to germinate the rest of my seeds. I have 7 germinating right now. 1 @ 48 hours, and 4 @ 24 hours. These are back in the small pots that the only 2 FI seeds actually germinated in. I have however filled them up with soil to almost the very top. Left just enough room to be able to water slowly without spilling water. These seeds are in their soil which was pre soaked and drained well. After the seeds were placed and gently covered, I misted the area where the seed is planted to give the seed shell a little moisture to start off with. However, instead of placing these 5 under my lights for the warmth they need, I placed them on top of my lights. The temp up there is a constant 25 and the RH about 60% and the air is always fresh because they are under my exhaust.
I also have 2 germinating in 2 liter bottles. They are on their 8-10th day. I cant remember. These however have spent the last 7 days or so under the lights for warmth. I have begin to think that the seeds in the soaked soil under the lights so close for warmth are slowly being cooked or rotted as a result of the light. So we will see if they ever pop and can compare with the 5 that have never been under the light for warmth.
Main point of the story. If you are going to use a 2 liter bottle to begin growing in, make sure it is one that is uniform in shape from the top to the bottom. Don't use any that have a curvy body or a slightly larger base. And when transplanting from these bottles, cutting off the bottom and planting, then carefully removing the plastic bottle from the top may prove to be a good way. Unfortunately, I didn't think of that until after the fact.
Pics to follow soon.