Seedling Problem

Hi everybody!

I started growing 2 months ago without any success. I am determined and persistent and I want to learn. My problem is that I cannot get the plant through seedling phase. This is my 4th trying and I am still stuck at the first set of leaves I have never been able to grow it to the point of having more than 2 leaves. I've been looking through all forum threads but I didn't find any specific solution to my problem. So I have a seedling now that is about a week old. It only developed the first set of leaves where I always stuck and it seems it stopped growing again. I have seen pictures and videos a week old seedling should have many more leaves than only the first two. I have a little growbox only 1,5 foot tall. I use 2 26W CFLs and my temperature is around 64.4-71.6.F or 18-22 C. I have a feeling that my humidity is responsible that is 40%. The last day the I misted a lot tried to keep it over 60% but I haven't noticed any change. Could low humidity be the problem? I will attach some pictures of her.

ps (yes she is stretched a bit the first day but I solved it immediately, the leaves curled down a bit why?)

Thank you for your help.

Just my opinion, others might disagree
Dont EVER spray anything on your plants in light or before light is turned on.
Forget about humidity. I grow successful at around 30% and my plants are healthy looking from seed.
Get the temp up a bit, 24-28 C is best
Do you have fans both for extraction and air movent?
That soil looks like garden soil. Buy a quality soil with a pH as close to 6.5 as possible (says on bag where I live).
Keep the soil almost completely dry between waterings. Does your pots have good drainage? Water should be kept at pH at 6.5-6.8
Are those lights 26w actual wattage? Is it grow light at 6500K?
Dont feed before your plants ask for it.
Also, have patience. First two weeks the plants spend a lot of energy on their roots thus growing slow.

start your seeds in black gold seed starter mix then when it gets i lil bigger then transplant to oceans frost or happy frog.. water until it flows out the bottom and don't water until it gets light then re water.. temps need to be around 75 ish humidity isn't a factor at this point. less is more.. the more you mess with it the more your going to screw it up. so for now just a lil water and a lot of light and even more love..

I use Green Label Light mix (5,8 ) bought in a grow shop. I do have air movement. I use boiled tap water for watering (I apply it cold ofc ). I dunno the ph of the water. I should buy a tester. But the plant looks healthy except for the little curling and very slow growth.

PS: the top of the soil got a little dry cause I didnt water for 2 days but I checked and it was moist an inch deeper

1. get some better soil I just lost a entire order of beans like 2weeks ago thanks to crappy dollar general soil. Just been turned on to light warrior and man this stuff is amazing I buy a 2 gallon bag from amazon just to use for seedlings nothing else. 2. Start them suckers in a 16oz red cup with holes in the bottom. I start them out for the first week and a half after they break soil just giving them 1 TBS of water around the stem every morning at beg of lights on. Thats just enough water not too much not to less. The rest of the soil will be dry but it doesn't matter. If you want I can show you some pics.

When you have time check this out. Should help you out a lot more.
https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/756878-how-i-germ-my-beans.html

How often yu water? Every 2 days? Your prolly overwatering yo

You should mix some finely ground dolomite lime to your soil to buffer pH (and have a source for Ca and Mg).

yea. DO NOT OVER WATER. that size of seedling in that size of cup might only need water once a week.

Your temps are a little low, probably slowing growth slightly but not a huge deal. I recommend starting in pure coco using only distilled water until about 2 weeks from when it sprouts. Then start with a very mild, 1/4 strength nute solution. You can always transplant to soil once you get it started well. Using this technique Ive never lost a seedling that makes it above ground.

Are you growing the same strain from the same source?
Are you using the same growing medium?
If yes, then make some changes.
Just my opinion.

TWS said:

yea. DO NOT OVER WATER. that size of seedling in that size of cup might only need water once a week.

Click to expand...

Woah? Once a week?

I admit to having an over watering problem, but wow! That would seem really dry. Mine were dry at 3 days consistently. But I put lots of drain holes in my cup.

admittedly next time I will NOT water all the way through like the guides suggest but..... Perhaps only water a little at a time. I have researched some problems that this might cause salt buildup.... Anyone know if this pertains to tap water, distilled, or both?

Salt buildup will not be an issue. As said, only use small-ish pots, water when soil is almost dry and water until small runoff. That will prevent salt buildup and overwatering.

Thank you guys I really got smarter I think I will start over with a new bean considering every advice you gave me!

Thanks again

Karma0413 said:

Woah? Once a week?

I admit to having an over watering problem, but wow! That would seem really dry. Mine were dry at 3 days consistently. But I put lots of drain holes in my cup.

admittedly next time I will NOT water all the way through like the guides suggest but..... Perhaps only water a little at a time. I have researched some problems that this might cause salt buildup.... Anyone know if this pertains to tap water, distilled, or both?

Click to expand...

Just cause the top is dry doesn't mean it's dry. Im not there so use your judgement.

Seedlings never drink as much as flowering plants once a week waterings for them is fine.