Dying Breed Pink Zkittles seedlings struggling

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TrojanGrower

Well-Known Member
I've been pulling my hair these last 2 months trying to stabilize these seedlings. I planted the seeds on 2/11. Here's my setup:

Lights = x3 23w CFLs, 9 inches away
Light schedule = 21/3 (previous was 18/6 for the last 3 weeks)
Media = FFOF
Watering frequency = every 4/5 days or until 1/2 inch of the top dries out. Water until a few drops runoff.
pH = constant 6.54/6.55 each watering
EC = .45
Temp = 75.7 - 77.5
Humidity = 63.5% - 68.7%

They're throwing roots, but very slowly. I made sure to pop several holes in the solo cups to ensure adequate airflow. They just don't seem to want to grow. Something is not quite right. Over these last several weeks, I've been testing different theories from under/over watering, heat stress, too high of humidity (previous high was 79%). These seedlings don't seem to be improving whatsoever.

I think it might be the ocean forest stressing them. I'm considering transplanting into pro-mix hp as my last result. But wanted to pose this issue on the forum to see if there is a better solution before I fuck em up even more.

If it helps with context, I popped 3 packs, 42 seeds in total; only 21 have made it into solo cups. Could this just be a bad batch of seeds?

Attached is one of the "better" performing phenos vs the others in this bunch. I appreciate any help in advance.
 

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simpleleaf

simpleleaf

Well-Known Member
I note you didn't give a K rating for your CFLs. Are those "daylight" bulbs?

To me it looks like the potting mix *may* be too hot. I don't know how experienced you are, but it is possible to transplant. If I decide to do that these days, I remove the potting mix under water in a bucket, seems to be the least traumatic way for the roots.

I also always water to 20 to 30% runoff. The plants may be overwatered.

I won't be able to answer back, hopefully others will chime in.
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
TrojanGrower said:
I've been pulling my hair these last 2 months trying to stabilize these seedlings. I planted the seeds on 2/11. Here's my setup:

Lights = x3 23w CFLs, 9 inches away
Light schedule = 21/3 (previous was 18/6 for the last 3 weeks)
Media = FFOF
Watering frequency = every 4/5 days or until 1/2 inch of the top dries out. Water until a few drops runoff.
pH = constant 6.54/6.55 each watering
EC = .45
Temp = 75.7 - 77.5
Humidity = 63.5% - 68.7%

They're throwing roots, but very slowly. I made sure to pop several holes in the solo cups to ensure adequate airflow. They just don't seem to want to grow. Something is not quite right. Over these last several weeks, I've been testing different theories from under/over watering, heat stress, too high of humidity (previous high was 79%). These seedlings don't seem to be improving whatsoever.

I think it might be the ocean forest stressing them. I'm considering transplanting into pro-mix hp as my last result. But wanted to pose this issue on the forum to see if there is a better solution before I fuck em up even more.

If it helps with context, I popped 3 packs, 42 seeds in total; only 21 have made it into solo cups. Could this just be a bad batch of seeds?

Attached is one of the "better" performing phenos vs the others in this bunch. I appreciate any help in advance.
Click to expand...
You're not still just using the 3 CFL's are you? Probably keeping them too dry and not enough light. Just give them straight tap water. No need to pH. When did you start feeding them the .45 ec? A cup of FFOF will keep them fine until it's time to transplant. Too much too soon can stunt the growth.

You can't blame the FFOF as you've been feeding and adjusting the pH. I don't know about the humidity and temp as I don't even monitor it myself but those that like to play around with gadgets would say that they're both in a decent range.
 
Budzbuddha

Budzbuddha

Well-Known Member
^^^^^^ this …. Everybody wants to throw FFOF under the bus without realizing that you just can sow a seed in it - water very little and that’s pretty much it.

Sure it may be a bit nute dense up front but just stay the course and plant will acclimate. ZERO need to ph or other crap. Especially in a solo cup.

If you have to use CFL - know that the most light comes from the sides of bulb and they have to be closer than 9 inches to reduce stretch. You have to have better light for them as they grow as cfl will not cut it later on.

You can also bump the temps up or even place cups on a heated seedling mat to keep the medium from being too cold.

Water a little ONLY as needed NOT because its day 5 or whatever.
 
T

TrojanGrower

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
You're not still just using the 3 CFL's are you? Probably keeping them too dry and not enough light. Just give them straight tap water. No need to pH. When did you start feeding them the .45 ec? A cup of FFOF will keep them fine until it's time to transplant. Too much too soon can stunt the growth.

You can't blame the FFOF as you've been feeding and adjusting the pH. I don't know about the humidity and temp as I don't even monitor it myself but those that like to play around with gadgets would say that they're both in a decent range.
Click to expand...
It's actually just been plain water. My tap comes in at a higher pH, around 8 so I adjust down.

I'll move the lights closer to see if that helps 'em, thanks!
 
T

TrojanGrower

Well-Known Member
simpleleaf said:
I note you didn't give a K rating for your CFLs. Are those "daylight" bulbs?

To me it looks like the potting mix *may* be too hot. I don't know how experienced you are, but it is possible to transplant. If I decide to do that these days, I remove the potting mix under water in a bucket, seems to be the least traumatic way for the roots.

I also always water to 20 to 30% runoff. The plants may be overwatered.

I won't be able to answer back, hopefully others will chime in.
Click to expand...
These are 6500k bulbs
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
TrojanGrower said:
It's actually just been plain water. My tap comes in at a higher pH, around 8 so I adjust down.

I'll move the lights closer to see if that helps 'em, thanks!
Click to expand...
My tap water comes out the same and I never pH in soil. I know many do but I don't and never have any issues. Small containers like that and lowering the pH every watering can cause to soil pH to actually get lower than it should be as what you use to lower the pH can build up in the soil. Too low of a pH can impede nutrient uptake and cause stunted plants. Those plants look hungry and they should have had plenty of food from the FFOF and the additional .45 ec you've been feeding them.

You definitely need better lighting. Lowering those is not going to be good enough for that amount of plants. Three of those lights might grow one plant but not as many as you have spread out like that. Much too large of a footprint for the wattage you're using.

Good luck.
 
Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
You need more light
You have plants that look two weeks that are almost two months old
You must be moving outdoor ?
 
T

TrojanGrower

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
My tap water comes out the same and I never pH in soil. I know many do but I don't and never have any issues. Small containers like that and lowering the pH every watering can cause to soil pH to actually get lower than it should be as what you use to lower the pH can build up in the soil. Too low of a pH can impede nutrient uptake and cause stunted plants. Those plants look hungry and they should have had plenty of food from the FFOF and the additional .45 ec you've been feeding them.

You definitely need better lighting. Lowering those is not going to be good enough for that amount of plants. Three of those lights might grow one plant but not as many as you have spread out like that. Much too large of a footprint for the wattage you're using.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. I'm gonna reset my room tonight then. I got a mars hydro fc8000 so I'll throw em under that light and see if they take. Next watering will be pure h2o then. Fingers crossed! Appreciate the help
 
P

Phytoplankton

Well-Known Member
I plant seeds directly into FFOF all the time, no burn issues ever. I do add about 20% perlite to the FFOF and it really lightens up the soil. It’s a good soil. I live fairly close to where it’s made and get it “dirt” cheap!
 
T

TrojanGrower

Well-Known Member
Alright fellas, moved them in the new room. Set the LEDs to 10 inches away, 40% intensity. Temp is reading at 81, humidity at 64%. Will give them a small dose of pure h2o. Will see how they react in the morning
 

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A

ALPHA.GanjaGuy

Well-Known Member
I would maybe consider starting with it dimmed just a little more, if I am not mistaken that light at 40% is around 480w, it may be too sudden of a change, maybe start at 20-25% and bring them up as you see how they respond?
 
Stagger'em

Stagger'em

Member
TrojanGrower said:
I've been pulling my hair these last 2 months trying to stabilize these seedlings. I planted the seeds on 2/11. Here's my setup:

Lights = x3 23w CFLs, 9 inches away
Light schedule = 21/3 (previous was 18/6 for the last 3 weeks)
Media = FFOF
Watering frequency = every 4/5 days or until 1/2 inch of the top dries out. Water until a few drops runoff.
pH = constant 6.54/6.55 each watering
EC = .45
Temp = 75.7 - 77.5
Humidity = 63.5% - 68.7%

They're throwing roots, but very slowly. I made sure to pop several holes in the solo cups to ensure adequate airflow. They just don't seem to want to grow. Something is not quite right. Over these last several weeks, I've been testing different theories from under/over watering, heat stress, too high of humidity (previous high was 79%). These seedlings don't seem to be improving whatsoever.

I think it might be the ocean forest stressing them. I'm considering transplanting into pro-mix hp as my last result. But wanted to pose this issue on the forum to see if there is a better solution before I fuck em up even more.

If it helps with context, I popped 3 packs, 42 seeds in total; only 21 have made it into solo cups. Could this just be a bad batch of seeds?

Attached is one of the "better" performing phenos vs the others in this bunch. I appreciate any help in advance.
Click to expand...
Two months trying to stabilize seedlings....dude, sever your losses. Throw the whole f'n lot away. Because by now, you'd be well into 12 12, by now.
It's not worth the stress.
Good luck bro
 
Stagger'em

Stagger'em

Member
Because to me, you seem to know what you are doing. But like me, we don't throw in the towel until a mf'er, be it you, or some other asshole, is knocked down, out, and dragged f'n off.
 
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TrojanGrower

Well-Known Member
I was able to save this run in the end. I swapped the LEDs with one 315w cmh, dialed down temps & humidity. I gently pulled the sprouts out of the solo cup into a 1 gal pot of FFOF/Happy Frog. They recovered almost immediately.

Found a few standout phenos. A good mix of females & males. Crazy how they were able to bounce back. I was ready to throw in the towel
 

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T

TrojanGrower

Well-Known Member
In about 3-4 weeks I'l probably flip to flower. I started a new hunt thinking this run was done for so I'm just waiting for the other plants to catch up. It's hibiscus from massive creations which is roze x (hindu zkittlez x og eddy lepp)
 
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