Seedling leaf changes and death

[Delerium]

Originally Posted by b54red

Anne you won't find a bigger fan of DE in seed starting than me but it has real drawbacks when it is used when trying to harden off seedlings. I have used it successfully but I have also run into problems with it when it was too hot and it dried out too much. I swear it looks almost like it can actually suck the life out of the plant if it dries out completely where as the plants seem to recover fine when the medium is potting soil. I find using larger containers of DE much more difficult to manage than when I am using it for seed starting because they don't bottom water as well as small containers of DE and it is hard to tell if the DE is too dry once the surface gets a little algae stain on it.

Bill

Bill Actually my experience with DE and tomato plants is totally opposite to yours. I find that transplanting seedlings from DE indoors to outdoors is quicker and less stressful on the plants. I even skip hardening off/potting up and just plant them directly and they do just fine (i know it sounds like bs). You probably have seen how small my transplants were when i actually planted them outdoors and I've found out that growing seedlings in DE cuts out so much of the hassle i usually would have to deal with plants that have been grown regular seed starting mediums. Could it be because i grow my plants like tomato clones (removing the roots etc) - i dunno to be honest.. As a matter of fact I've had plants where the DE has completely dried out indoors (and the tomato plants) look like they are practically dead (usually all the spare grafts i have no room for) come right back to life as soon as i plant them out (first soak the soil) then plant the seedling.

Anne should post some pictures.