Are my seedlings doomed?

TheDifferenceX said:

Keep your head up!

As mentioned, ditch the plugs. Once they pop a taproot on the paper towel, but them directly into a solo cup with soil. Leave them in the solo cup for 2 weeks, then transplant to your final pot.

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PurpleHaze777 said:

Okay, I was freaking out, so I carefully cracked the top of the plug in half and removed the seedling with its root tail. I then re-inserted it the right way: lodged the tail into the plug and left the “head” resting on the surface. I don’t think I tore anything, and I don’t think the root was fused to the plug yet. What are the chances it will be okay?

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PurpleHaze777 said:

Here are my baby girls today:

This one is the one I took out and repositioned yesterday. till has a shell stuck to it. Should I help it and peel it off gently? Is the brownish tip normal?

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The last photo above (the top seedling of the two in the photo): I cracked the medium and helped its head out a little bit. Its head is smaller than other girls, and first I thought that it broke off, but it was just an empty shell next to it inside the plug.

Thank you for responding, guys! I was so depressed yesterday: I have put a lot of effort in preparing for this and obtaining the seeds. Any continued advice is truly appreciated.

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PurpleHaze777 said:

Thank you for your response!
The plugs came with holes pre-punctured. Before planting the girls, I have further widened/cleared the openings with a q tip. Was that insufficient? Do you mean that I should have created a hole that would go through the plug and open on the other side?

Should I stay from these plugs in the future?
They were sufficiently wet by the way. If anything, I think I overwatered them a little bit. Surprisingly retentive with moisture.

I have my last seed that I have started germinating 2 days ago because I was afraid that the other ones might not make it because until the last moment they were all staying closed except for one. Turned out my room just wasn’t warm enough for them (~75). I cranked up the heat to 80s, and they all sprouted. Now I need to go and buy a plug for the 5th girl (I was only planning on growing 4 originally):




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Razor5000 said:

Make sure after you remove them from the towel to the root plug, the white tail goes down in the plug first. Looks like you may have put the seeds in upside down, being that several of em done the same thing.!!!! But from my understanding, it's hard to overwater these babies using the root plugs. They really helped me 5 yrs ago when I started out and just didn't have a green thumb whatsoever.!!!!!

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Razor5000 said:

I take a stick like used for shichkabobs, or however ya spell that...lol.....or something wooden and clean in the shape of a pencil.......I clean me a whole str8 thru the plug, giving it room to move around, and oftentimes break up very small pcs of the plug and drop in the hole first so the seed won't fall too far down inside there.....and usually lay it loosely in their... somewhat.....that was my main problem I was having when I began.....temperature....you need warmth and humidity for a good, healthy germination, from my experience.!!!! I use a warming mat and keep it mostly covered with some type of lid.....with a hole or 2 for some fresh air.!!!!

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Razor5000 said:

That's just called a J-root from my experience and reading, and it should reroute and turn around on it's own...I would leave it be if possible......not to say that I haven't or won't do the same thing again sometime should that occur.!!!!. But, try not to touch these newbies with bare hands or unclean instruments such as tweezers. Peroxide is very handy and has worked wonders for myself. ....the shell will fall off in a few days.....let mother nature run it's course, and water lightly when needed.
As for the plugs.....they were a lifesaver for me 5 yrs ago when I started. You can't overwater with em idt......I love my root plugs....everyone has their own opinion.!!!!! Enjoy & good luck.!!!!

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