Seedling Issues - PICS

So my seedlings are not looking so great. The first set of true leaves are starting to droop down. Usually this happens when ppl over water right? I have been watering daily but only bc the soil turns dry every day! Perhaps I need to transplant? Soil is an organic seedling mix from a hydro shop. Perhaps it has sonethingto do with the water ph??? I havent been testing the ph of my tap water, could a ph problem cause this?



Any help much appreciated.

Anyone? I am starting to think it may need a transplant. Temps get no higher than 82F

And how about the light ? maybe is too much light for those small plants ?

How old are they?

They aren't that bad, most seedlings get droopy leaves at first, its called gravity. Leaves are curvey in nature.

You shouldnt need to water everyday unless your medium dries out that fast. No seedlings ever need to be watered every day. Usually once MAYBE twice a week.

You want the roots to search for water. If your medium is dry let it be dry for a little bit. Make those roots work.

When watering, try to only water the outer edges of the container, not in the center where the seedling is. This wont drown your seedling and promotes root exploration.

Make sure they get a minimum 18 hours a day of light.

well I've just been thru the same thing, I'd stop watering for a day or two and see, I think mine could have been partially heat stress too. while trying to figure it out I discovereed my tap water was 9.0 sometimes! so it wouldnt hurt to try that, but honestly, they just started to look better since I transplanted them yesterday into a bigger pot. And couldnt hurt to pull the light up a couple of inches. I think in those small pots the line between under and overwatering is really fine until you get a lot of experience.

Stop watering

You are drowning that tiny tap root that is trying to grow. The reason your soil is dry every day is because you are using what looks to be a coconut coir starter cup? It acts like a wick pulling the moisture out of the soil to absorb it itself. I suggest you use your starting soil in small plastic solo cups. Put a few holes in the bottom for drainage.

Seedlings should not ever need daily watering.

Serapis said:

he reason your soil is dry every day is because you are using what looks to be a coconut coir starter cup? It acts like a wick pulling the moisture out of the soil to absorb it itself.

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Yes I am using the coco coir cups...I knew something was up...the soil literally gets bone dry in 24 hours. Your theory makes a lot of sense! Tomorrow I am going to go get one of those air pots. Ill prob just put them straight into 5gal ones.

bobhamm said:

they just started to look better since I transplanted them yesterday into a bigger pot. And couldnt hurt to pull the light up a couple of inches. I think in those small pots the line between under and overwatering is really fine until you get a lot of experience.

Click to expand...

Were you using the coir cups as well?

Thanks for all the help guys!

no, mine were in party cups, they are all doing way better since I transplanted into bigger containers