struggling seedlings whats wrong?

pecker88 · August 5, 2015

Hey guys, I'm a newb and in need of some help on my indoor winter seedlings.

On July 11th I started Totem, Red Robin, New Big Dwarf, Habanero, Jalapeno seeds germinating in baggies, got seeds from Tomato Growers Supply; 100% germination rate.

About 3 days later I placed all the tomatoes in double stack Solo cups (holes in bottom of inner cup). I used a seed starting mix from local hydro shop. I added perlite; 3 parts seed starting mix, 1 part perlite and placed under T5 florescent light.

Here's the seed starting mix; I added extra perlite.

They grew great for the next 2 weeks. I watered about every 4 days, when the cups felt light and I could see the soil breaking away from the edge of the cup.

At the 2.5 week mark the seedlings had 2 sets of true leaves and the lower ones were starting to look a little yellow, so I decided to fertilize with 1/4 strength hydroponic solution. I used masterblend 12g, cal nitrate 6g, mag sulfate 6g.

At this time I also noticed quite a few roots coming out of the inner cup holes in the bottom. They were soaking in the outer cup overflow water. I dont' think this is good.

I have also moved them to a 400w 75% power MH light.

Temps stay around 75 during the day, 72 at night. Humidity is almost constant at 38%. I have an oscelating fan about 5 ft away on low speed blowing on the group of seedlings.

Here are the pics, the only seedlings that look OK are Redrobin. All the rest have droopy and/or yellow leaves. Growth has almost stopped in the last 1.5 weeks.

Should I just start over?

I'm thinking this time, I would scrap the seed starting mix and use 1 part fox farm Ocean Forest, 1 part perlite, 2 parts promix (no fert in this promix blend). Then I wouldnt' have to worry about ferts due to the 1 part Ocean Forest.

totem, upper leaves droopy, lower leaves upward curl and dead

Totem, same thing, different plant

New Big Dwarf

Red Robin, relatively healthy looking

Group Shot

August 5, 2015	#1
pecker88 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 192	struggling seedlings whats wrong? Hey guys, I'm a newb and in need of some help on my indoor winter seedlings. On July 11th I started Totem, Red Robin, New Big Dwarf, Habanero, Jalapeno seeds germinating in baggies, got seeds from Tomato Growers Supply; 100% germination rate. About 3 days later I placed all the tomatoes in double stack Solo cups (holes in bottom of inner cup). I used a seed starting mix from local hydro shop. I added perlite; 3 parts seed starting mix, 1 part perlite and placed under T5 florescent light. Here's the seed starting mix; I added extra perlite. They grew great for the next 2 weeks. I watered about every 4 days, when the cups felt light and I could see the soil breaking away from the edge of the cup. At the 2.5 week mark the seedlings had 2 sets of true leaves and the lower ones were starting to look a little yellow, so I decided to fertilize with 1/4 strength hydroponic solution. I used masterblend 12g, cal nitrate 6g, mag sulfate 6g. At this time I also noticed quite a few roots coming out of the inner cup holes in the bottom. They were soaking in the outer cup overflow water. I dont' think this is good. I have also moved them to a 400w 75% power MH light. Temps stay around 75 during the day, 72 at night. Humidity is almost constant at 38%. I have an oscelating fan about 5 ft away on low speed blowing on the group of seedlings. Here are the pics, the only seedlings that look OK are Redrobin. All the rest have droopy and/or yellow leaves. Growth has almost stopped in the last 1.5 weeks. Should I just start over? I'm thinking this time, I would scrap the seed starting mix and use 1 part fox farm Ocean Forest, 1 part perlite, 2 parts promix (no fert in this promix blend). Then I wouldnt' have to worry about ferts due to the 1 part Ocean Forest. totem, upper leaves droopy, lower leaves upward curl and dead Totem, same thing, different plant New Big Dwarf Red Robin, relatively healthy looking Group Shot Last edited by pecker88; August 5, 2015 at 11:37 PM.