My seedlings are always growing really slow

LUZEE

Member
About 10 -12days old. I forgot exact age… I feel they should be much bigger. I am a total noob and have killed many seedlings. Although I have done very well before in a cooler temp city with different tap water.

Temp is usually around 81 f. This is because it’s hot outside and I can’t use that much AC to cool the house. Humidity 20 -30. It’s dry here too..

Indoors. Ts 1000 light at 25-50%.

Organic non-time released nutrient soil. Bunch of added pearlite. Started in small area in blend of peat moss and soil in the 5 gallon pots.

I have over watered a lot before so I only actually water when my whole finger is dry when I stick my finger in soil, so about every 3 - 5 days. I spray water on them every day about 20 sprays.

what could it be? I’m starting to think it is pH… haven’t checked that yet.
 

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LUZEE

Member
Start your seeds in smaller pots it's easier to manage water and they form a good root ball for transplant...
Your plants are busy with roots right now.. They will grow..
Ok thank you.. yes I figured it might have something to do with pot size. I was once very successful when I started all of my plants in solo cups
 

Peyote alexia

Well-Known Member
I can't start in soil. Same issue. I damp them off in solo cups or drown them in large pots lmao. They come back ussually but not before a gnat or two. Never underestimate to much water. Ull be right ;)
 

DrOgkush

Well-Known Member
I had a problem with autos in the beginning. Same problem. Less water untill they get out of the seedling stage. This is what I did. The first main water right when you sow your bean. Let her sprout. DONT WATER until soil is completely dry. Faster root development. Faster and more growth. Soils all wet. The roots won't chase water. It helped me. However. My main recommendation would be stay away from autos indoors since we control the light indoors. But that's my opinion.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
About 10 -12days old. I forgot exact age… I feel they should be much bigger. I am a total noob and have killed many seedlings. Although I have done very well before in a cooler temp city with different tap water.

Temp is usually around 81 f. This is because it’s hot outside and I can’t use that much AC to cool the house. Humidity 20 -30. It’s dry here too..

Indoors. Ts 1000 light at 25-50%.

Organic non-time released nutrient soil. Bunch of added pearlite. Started in small area in blend of peat moss and soil in the 5 gallon pots.

I have over watered a lot before so I only actually water when my whole finger is dry when I stick my finger in soil, so about every 3 - 5 days. I spray water on them every day about 20 sprays.

what could it be? I’m starting to think it is pH… haven’t checked that yet.
I'd water those pots. I'd also stop spraying them. Time released soil isn't good, but I doubt that's the issue now. I start in bigger pots than most. I usually start in 1/2 gal and then transplant to 15 gal, but I've also started in 10's or 15's.

And I'm one of the ones who tries to keep my soil moist, but when they get big, the soil gets drier than I'd like before I water again. But I refuse to water any more than every other day. Right now they would prefer daily, but they're outta luck.
 

DrOgkush

Well-Known Member
Yeah. I start in rather larger containers as well from the jump around 2.5 gal. One transplant only. Either in ground or in 10 gal pots.
 

Peyote alexia

Well-Known Member
I'm making some auto seeds ATM (trying to) it's my first time with autos. I love how they veg longer outdoors even when they shouldn't!!!
I started one in a 10l dwc bucket and the other outdoors in a 2.5g pot. Sprayed it a few times since the regulars next to it started showing sex but it's still vegging along haha. Good luck with the autos. For me if in doubt (and it's raining) let rain do the work. It seems better at watering then me lmao
 

Roy O'Bannon

Well-Known Member
Just read some stuff about humidity and temps, changed my mind on some things. Here, have a look and a think:)
 

TexasCurryMama

Active Member
I’m not an expert but don’t over complicate the process. It shouldn’t be that hard for seedlings. I am a first time grower. Seedling indoors with 24 hours light and I haven’t had a problem. Knock on wood.
 

Boreal Curing

Well-Known Member
When that happens to me I'm usually loving them to death.

Last time it was my use of water from my RO system. They need water that hasn't been stripped of everything.
 

ComfortCreator

Well-Known Member
You have 2 issues related issues

Low RH is Ok, but not if you overwater
Overwatering causes slow growth
And will kill the seedling fast

The goal for a seedling is only one thing, get it through the seedling stage healthy.

I would raise the humidity one way or another to 50%. And when you water, it's a small amount just wider in a circle than the plant. And straight down.

Then you wait...and wait, and don't water when you want to. It's when it needs it. In seedling stage for me it is 3 or 4 days between waterings, sometimes even 5 when it really gets rooted and you water it fully the first time.

There is NO GOAL except getting to veg stage. Do not focus on anything but how much water they have and the environment. Make the humidity higher and your leaves will do better.
 
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