Seedling stem issues... Looked everywhere, can't find solution.

Midwestcannaman

New Member
Please help.

I have 3 plants, and all three are exhibiting the same problem. I believe it has to be some sort of pest problem.

This is my first grow, but i like to think i have done enough research to get me going. The first thing I did when my state recently went medical was to buy Ed Rosenthal's handbook and start reading.

I am growing in organic soil under LED in a growbox. What is happening to the stems looks like something is eating at it. I originally thought fungus gnat larvae were eating at the stem, but I dont know if they eat above the soil.

Does anyone have any experience with this, or could you point me in the right direction?
 

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projectinfo

Well-Known Member
Are they getting thinner at the base?

Have you been over watering?

Maybe its stem rot, do they look like their going to fall over at the soil level eventually?
 

projectinfo

Well-Known Member
Perlite. I live in Alaska surrounded by forest. I leave it all outside. Wood attracts insects as does decorative bark. It is acidic, does not decompose well at all.
I hate using perlite it gets everywhere and blows around . You habe more parience than i do buddy haha
 

InTheValley

Well-Known Member
I hate using perlite it gets everywhere and blows around . You habe more parience than i do buddy haha
and its horrible for your lungs,

If you can use the Zon, check out cocoloco. Its cheap, and awesome. I will never use anything other then again. But beware, the box is big and heavy, mail man might hate you for a month, lol..
 

INF Flux

Well-Known Member
Recharge is awesome stuff if you can get it. I use it in every single watering.
Good suggestion, mammoth P is similar (?) if you can't source recharge. These will help jumpstart the whole soil food web thing.
Fungi Perfecti sells "plant success" tabs to inoculate beneficial fungi.
FRESH earthworm castings will have a lot of the beneficial bacteria present and are one of the best ways to feed your plant.
Red wiggler earthworms are probably available locally, try a bait shop if your garden center of choice doesn't have them. Any worms will help, but the reds are the best. They'll help aerate the soil, break down material, feed your plants, etc.
I highly suggest introducing nematodes and whichever predator mite species is most local to your area. Doing this before spider mites or root aphids show up means they probably never will.
Your helpers aren't there working for you, and overwatering might be adding to it.
 

Moldy

Well-Known Member
Please help.

I have 3 plants, and all three are exhibiting the same problem. I believe it has to be some sort of pest problem.

This is my first grow, but i like to think i have done enough research to get me going. The first thing I did when my state recently went medical was to buy Ed Rosenthal's handbook and start reading.

I am growing in organic soil under LED in a growbox. What is happening to the stems looks like something is eating at it. I originally thought fungus gnat larvae were eating at the stem, but I dont know if they eat above the soil.

Does anyone have any experience with this, or could you point me in the right direction?
First of all just use seed starter soil with babies. Any ferts in the soil will stunt them or cause slow growth or death. Use a little fertilizer, 1/8th strength only, when you transplant in 2-4 weeks. Next, don't use an LED light unless it's just a 100W "equivalent" light bulb from Home Depot. I've seen babies drop over dead from LED grow lights, it's just too strong for them. Just my opinion and what works for me.
 

Midwestcannaman

New Member
Hey thanks for all the answers guys.

My soil I am using is Nature's care organic soil. I have heard good and bad things about it, but it looks alittle more rough than it actually is because i was trying to get everything as dry as possible to figure this out as i know the bugs like moist soil. I will be getting as much of the wood out as i can though. Ive also got peat moss mixed in and some hydroton.

I have one of those cheap soil pH monitors so it could definitely be off, but i try to keep it between 6 and 7. Most of the time it shows around 6.75.

All that said, I DID find 2 little mites today! So there has to be many more I would imagine. One was kinda white and the other was more red. Both were quick. I did a good covering of neem oil through a spray bottle, so I think I got good coverage. I will do it again in a couple days.
I have read the different bugs like the roots and leaves, and I couldnt find anything on stem eaters.

Thanks again for the replies.
 

InTheValley

Well-Known Member
Man, you NEED a PH meter, Its a must have. You check the water, not the soil. Check out GrowBoss MegaMeter, $80, well worth it.
 

INF Flux

Well-Known Member
Hey thanks for all the answers guys.

My soil I am using is Nature's care organic soil. I have heard good and bad things about it, but it looks alittle more rough than it actually is because i was trying to get everything as dry as possible to figure this out as i know the bugs like moist soil. I will be getting as much of the wood out as i can though. Ive also got peat moss mixed in and some hydroton.

I have one of those cheap soil pH monitors so it could definitely be off, but i try to keep it between 6 and 7. Most of the time it shows around 6.75.

All that said, I DID find 2 little mites today! So there has to be many more I would imagine. One was kinda white and the other was more red. Both were quick. I did a good covering of neem oil through a spray bottle, so I think I got good coverage. I will do it again in a couple days.
I have read the different bugs like the roots and leaves, and I couldnt find anything on stem eaters.

Thanks again for the replies.
Where were the mites? Fast mites tend to be the good ones. Bad ones will be slower and on the underside of leaves. Think of cows vs lions. The predators are very quick because they need to be. There are thousands of soil mite species that help break down material so the bacteria can consume it, and then the fungi and exchange with plants. The spider mite species we are concerned with controlling are more finite and learning to identify the common ones like the two spots can help rule that out as a problem area.
 
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