NOT AGAIN! How do I stop doing this?

This is now the fourth plant in a row to do this. After they get their first node leaves coming in they get darker and thinner at a low point on the stem and fall over.

This last time I was burying the stem as it got taller to help this problem. I also didn't get it into direct sunlight for about the first two weeks. It's only been in direct sunlight for about three days. It is outdoors 24/7 now.

It was looking good yesterday, but today developed a lean that was only being held up by the soil. One of the bottom node leaves is also curling.

I am going to tie it to a stake, but why does this keep happening and what am I doing wrong?

Thanks.

This might seem like an obvious question but is there high winds where it's growing? It could also indicate a undeveloped root system that is not capable of supporting the weight of the plant. What kind of soil is it in? Is the soil well aeriated? Did you add some perulite to promote good drainage? How often are you watering? Too often and you could get root rot, which would mean weaker roots and the plant falling over and dying. Any animals that could be messing with it? Maybe birds jumping on it? Squirrels?

Good luck.

hearmenow said:

This might seem like an obvious question but is there high winds where it's growing?

No. It's in a corridor between my house and fence, low to the ground.

It could also indicate a undeveloped root system that is not capable of supporting the weight of the plant.

When I repotted it three days ago there was one root that had made it to the bottom of the old pot, so I was encouraged by that. I didn't see any other roots as I was trying to keep the soil intact.

What kind of soil is it in? Is the soil well aeriated? Did you add some perulite to promote good drainage?

I am using Schultz Seedstarted Plus. I do not expect to see problems from this soil until later when it possibly messes up the feeding (it has 9 months of slow release nutrients).

How often are you watering? Too often and you could get root rot, which would mean weaker roots and the plant falling over and dying.

I was afraid of overwatering earlier, so today (Wednesday) was the first watering it got since repotting Sunday.

Any animals that could be messing with it? Maybe birds jumping on it? Squirrels?

I don't think so. It's entirely possible, as they are not in my view all day, but this has now happened four times with plants in two different locations. The first location was on a deck on a table, thus reducing the possiblility of animal interference.

Good luck.

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I'm new at this, but I think it has to do with the sun. The first three I put in the sun early and they leaned toward it (I am in SE US, so the sun crosses over to the south, not directly overhead).

This plant, however, I didn't put into direct sunlight until the ctl's were falling off and it had its first node come in. So I thought it was mature enough. But today it was leaning to the south toward the sun. Maybe it is reaching for the sun before it is strong enough to be directly in it? How long do I wait to put them in that situation? Maybe it is a combination of being in the sun and having a weak root system?

Thanks, Hearmenow. I've been following your grow for about a month now!

Ok, I just tied the plant up to a stake. I tied it in two places: one at the bend that is now just below soil level; one near the top to keep it up. I also moved it into an area that does not get direct sunlight, but gets plenty of indirect light. It won't get any wind there, though.

I fear the stem is too pinched to live.

You know, it could just be the genetics of the strain. I think you've done the right thing in giving it some suppoet. You could use fishing line and loosely wrap it around the plant and tie to side of pot or to the stake. I don't know if it's the sunlight. I am in Florida and I didn't have that problem with my plants. I had one seedling that would lean towards the sun's direction but never fell over. That takes a lot of leaning for the weight of the leaves to tip over the entire plant. My best guess is that when you transplanted, you damaged the root structure and the plant has not yet rebuilt it. It could still be in shock if it hasn't grown much since transplanting.

You transplanted it three days ago? Well that is probably the reason they are falling over. Transplanting stresses the plants, and im guessing you didnt use any transplant solution, or superthrive after transplanting. These solutions help minimize the stress. Your plants should be ok though, but you need to keep them standing up. With a stick, or toothepick, or a straw, anything, just keep them up.


Just curious, why did you transplant? They are so little, there is no way they could have been root bound unless you had them in a shotglass.

Well everything should make a good recovery, but depending on how well your transplant was, they might look a bit dead for a while. Dont give up on them, and dont over water.

Goodluck buddy : )

Thanks guys. I only transplanted the big one that fell over. The other three are still in their little pots and they are going to stay in them for awhile. They are slow growing plants. This is my first grow and I was getting different advice on when to transplant, so I went ahead and did it now on this one. I was originally going to wait until I could see roots through the holes on the bottom of the pot, and I will do that next time.

It may be genetics, because this happened to three other plants while they were still in the little pots.

And no, I didn't use any nutes or anything when transplanting...noob here. I will look into that for the next three.

Have you guys ever had this happen and then successfully brought one back? I am 0-for-3 so far on plants that fall over.

im pretty confident in your plants. both of my plants have stretched to a point where i thought they couldnt be saved... and i saved em... they got to a point where the stems were so weak that they couldnt stand at all. an idea, use bendy straws to hold them up as long as the stems still thin enough. it workd wonders for me! also tying them helps. and they will always lean toward the sun. thats the light source, and the leaves absorb the light, so its a given itll lean toward them. mine do the same with the grow lights im using because its not right over them

ShadowXVII said:

im pretty confident in your plants. both of my plants have stretched to a point where i thought they couldnt be saved... and i saved em... they got to a point where the stems were so weak that they couldnt stand at all. an idea, use bendy straws to hold them up as long as the stems still thin enough. it workd wonders for me! also tying them helps. and they will always lean toward the sun. thats the light source, and the leaves absorb the light, so its a given itll lean toward them. mine do the same with the grow lights im using because its not right over them

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Thanks Shadow. Did you do anything else other than straws? I wonder if I should hit it with some nitrogen supplement to help the stem and leaf growth.

How long did it take before it could stand on its own again?

i would def keep ur plants in the pots for as long as possible.. just makes it more likely they'll survive. and when u transplant, u need to water it right away and make sure it has a whole day of sun cuz of the stress of transplant (i.e: transplant in the morning, not the afternoon or evening.) and the plant needs lots of sunlight

Thanks Tommi...good ideas.

i dont see why everyone makes such a big deal when there plants stretch and fall over cuz the stems hold them up, WAHOOO who cares, just let the thing grow, and in time the stem will get stronger and the plant will stand on its own

Grow-King said:

i dont see why everyone makes such a big deal when there plants stretch and fall over cuz the stems hold them up, WAHOOO who cares, just let the thing grow, and in time the stem will get stronger and the plant will stand on its own

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I hope you're right. I've lost four in a row to this problem.

Sounds like they arent getting enough light, so they stretch and fall over. A common problem with first time growers.

How many hours of sun does the spot you have them get?

It gets direct sunlight about 3-4 hours a day...lots of indirect light.

The first three that did this, however, were getting a full day's direct sunlight. They were in a great place, but were falling over, so I got them into a more mild spot...still happened there.

I'm thinking of just giving all of them support for awhile (straw or tie to stake) and putting them in great light until they are strong.

How much direct sunlight should an outdoor plant get anyhow? Is it different when they are young versus mature?

yeah i have to agree... honestly, mine wouldnt have made it. my aunt bought me some more soil and i had to transplant them a third time... but theyre doing incredible now. theyre already on their fourth set of leaves (with the way my parents bug out n turn the lights off in fear of a fire starting), which to me isnt bad... i honestly have to say fleuorescents are the best way to go... my stem growth is slowing, and its focusing on its strength more and the leaves are growing nicely too...

overall to answer your question, they never would have made it i would think... i used straws until i could burry them, and even then i still kept straws... eventually theyll start growing straighter, and then remove the straws

An update...all are dead but two. And they seem to have made it through this stage I've been concerned about. If you want to see it all, check out the link in my sig.