Newbie HELP. Seedlings leaves aren’t growing .

Whiteda35

Member
So this is my first time growing . I’ve been doing countless research and find it such a gray area for this stage. I germinated the seeds in the paper towel method . They germinated very quickly . But all a day apart til ready to be out in soil. The one that has the first two leaves with all edges is starting to point up . They look healthy but I’m only getting height growth on all 3 . The leaves are not growing wider . One will not open up , it’s growing taller but the shell came off it 3 days ago from taken photo (today) . The first leaves will not fully grow in and has been at that stage for 5 days since put in soil. They are growing taller , all nice looking green. But no leaf growth. Am I doing something wrong ?
 

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Whiteda35

Member
I have also had the LED light up to pretty close to avoid stretching and then moved it back to 18” away or so and it is still reaching. And I just watered them yesterday but they stretched more so I added more soil to help hold the stem stable .
 

Merkn4aSquirtn

Well-Known Member
I realized that later . I wish I could transplant into a different non see through cup . But I don’t think I can at this stage can I?
Put a sock over the cup or tape around the cup to block the light.
You don’t have to transplant but yes once those roots hit the sides of the cups... the roots won’t like it lol
 

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
Place the clear cups in another cup that isn't clear.
Your light is either not strong enough or it's not close enough.
The one that hasn't opened probably has a piece of membrane still attached preventing the cotyledons from opening.
Mist it with water to soften it and gently remove with a toothpick.......then they will open.
And don't forget to bury most of the stretched stems when you transplant.
Good luck.
 

Whiteda35

Member
Place the clear cups in another cup that isn't clear.
Your light is either not strong enough or it's not close enough.
The one that hasn't opened probably has a piece of membrane still attached preventing the cotyledons from opening.
Mist it with water to soften it and gently remove with a toothpick.......then they will open.
And don't forget to bury most of the stretched stems when you transplant.
Good luck.
The one that is still closed , I don’t see any membrane on it ? So I’m worried to spray it and then try to peel something that I can’t see ? Its been growing taller , but the leaves have been in that shape the last 3 days
 

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
The one that is still closed , I don’t see any membrane on it ? So I’m worried to spray it and then try to peel something that I can’t see ? Its been growing taller , but the leaves have been in that shape the last 3 days
Something is holding the cotyledons together. Look at it with a magnifying glass.
 

Whiteda35

Member
suuuuper dry soil.

that little baby is also stretching for light. give it more light and you will see bushier growth.
I just watered them yesterday and then I decided to add soil to it for stability cause it was stretching. At this stage how many times do you reckon to water? I was told once it was dry to touch? And I water only around the plant . I’m under the impression in this stage to not water til runoff yes,
 

PatientGuddanStownd

Well-Known Member
didn't know about the added dry soil after watering. that explains that..lol.

if your cups have drainage holes poked in them i wouldn't be shy about keeping the soil slightly damp to the touch for seedlings. for me that is usually a few oz h2O every day.

correct, definitely don't water til runoff at this point.

more light will stop that stretching problem and get your leaves to beef out.
 

Whiteda35

Member
didn't know about the added dry soil after watering. that explains that..lol.

if your cups have drainage holes poked in them i wouldn't be shy about keeping the soil slightly damp to the touch for seedlings. for me that is usually a few oz h2O every day.

correct, definitely don't water til runoff at this point.

more light will stop that stretching problem and get your leaves to beef out.
My 600w Led veg/bloom LED light came in today. Before I was using a 20 dollar grow light (with the separate arms) . I don’t think it was strong enough cause at points it was about 4 inches from the plants and they still stretched. So hopefully this new one does the trick. It is also at 17” .
 

go go kid

Well-Known Member
just cut the cup down both sides and around the bottom it will allow the soil to fall into a larger pot of soil. soz just cut one side and the bottom and open it up and all ill fall into new soil
 

Dapper_Dillinger

Well-Known Member
I realized that later . I wish I could transplant into a different non see through cup . But I don’t think I can at this stage can I?
Put the clear cups inside red solo cups or put tape around the clear containers for a little bit until they ready to transplant , the roots must fill up the cup before the leaves can grow and the roots will not grow if they are receiving lightly
 

Dapper_Dillinger

Well-Known Member
didn't know about the added dry soil after watering. that explains that..lol.

if your cups have drainage holes poked in them i wouldn't be shy about keeping the soil slightly damp to the touch for seedlings. for me that is usually a few oz h2O every day.

correct, definitely don't water til runoff at this point.

more light will stop that stretching problem and get your leaves to beef out.
You should be misting them with a spray bottle for watering
 

Whiteda35

Member
So I put a black sock with a hole on the bottom so oxygen can go through to the roots around the clear cups .And after doing that and puttin my new 600W LED light in the grow tent, this morning they are looking a lot better! The one set of leaves has lowered down and the one seedling cotelydons are opening up! I also am starting to see the other 2 true leaves starting to come out as well
 
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