Just can't seem to get it right - Page 2

guruofgardens · May 4, 2014

IMHO- too much water and fertilizer. The soil already has chemicals in it, so you're adding too much too soon.

If these were my plants, I'd spend the $$$ to buy a higher end soil like Happy Frog and mix it with the soil you have maybe 2 to 1, dump out your transplants, and replant in the new soil.

Good luck. We've all been there and try to learn from difficulties.

RayR · May 4, 2014

Is it just me or does the soil look very dry? You said you fertilize once a week with TTF, do you water inbetween feedings when the soil is dry? I once tried MG Organic potting soil and I remember it wasn't very good at water retention.

The best cure I've found to increase growth of pepper seedlings up North besides consistent moisture and nutrients is real sunlight. Hardening them off as early as possible and getting them outside as much as possible when the temps are decent. Yesterday was cloudy most of the day and temps in the 50's and mine were outside all day, today is sunny and temps up in the low 50's and they've been outside on the driveway since 11:00AM.

Tracydr · May 4, 2014

It looks like they might be nitrogen deficient. That or soil pH is too high or soil is cold.

Father'sDaughter · May 4, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayR

Is it just me or does the soil look very dry? You said you fertilize once a week with TTF, do you water inbetween feedings when the soil is dry? I once tried MG Organic potting soil and I remember it wasn't very good at water retention.

Yes, that was my observation in my earlier post in this thread with the pictures from a week ago. And it still looks to be too dry in the latest pictures.

bigblue · May 5, 2014

Yes, I have been keeping the soil dry as I thought it was more detrimental to have them too wet then too dry. I have only been watering once a week, with the fertilizer and to confirm, they are very dry before watering. Today I checked the PH and both suggest that the PH is 7.0 or more. Should I take steps on lowering that? I’m sure that will be the consensus, so suggestions? By the way, they are in a south facing window 8-10 hours a day now. Only bright sunshine for a few hours a day (around 3 to 6 pm) then back under the lights. Thanks for all the input.

Davezone5 · June 3, 2014

Mine have grown super slow from seed too but I noticed once it warmed up and I transplanted them into the raised bed they've started to take off fast.

Redbaron · June 3, 2014

Might try getting them in the ground outside!

June 3, 2014	#22
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	Might try getting them in the ground outside! __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

May 4, 2014	#16
guruofgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: zone 5 Colorado Posts: 942	IMHO- too much water and fertilizer. The soil already has chemicals in it, so you're adding too much too soon. If these were my plants, I'd spend the $$$ to buy a higher end soil like Happy Frog and mix it with the soil you have maybe 2 to 1, dump out your transplants, and replant in the new soil. Good luck. We've all been there and try to learn from difficulties.

May 4, 2014	#17
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	Is it just me or does the soil look very dry? You said you fertilize once a week with TTF, do you water inbetween feedings when the soil is dry? I once tried MG Organic potting soil and I remember it wasn't very good at water retention. The best cure I've found to increase growth of pepper seedlings up North besides consistent moisture and nutrients is real sunlight. Hardening them off as early as possible and getting them outside as much as possible when the temps are decent. Yesterday was cloudy most of the day and temps in the 50's and mine were outside all day, today is sunny and temps up in the low 50's and they've been outside on the driveway since 11:00AM.

May 4, 2014	#18
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	It looks like they might be nitrogen deficient. That or soil pH is too high or soil is cold.

May 5, 2014	#20
bigblue Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Michigan Zone 6a Posts: 35	Yes, I have been keeping the soil dry as I thought it was more detrimental to have them too wet then too dry. I have only been watering once a week, with the fertilizer and to confirm, they are very dry before watering. Today I checked the PH and both suggest that the PH is 7.0 or more. Should I take steps on lowering that? I’m sure that will be the consensus, so suggestions? By the way, they are in a south facing window 8-10 hours a day now. Only bright sunshine for a few hours a day (around 3 to 6 pm) then back under the lights. Thanks for all the input.

June 3, 2014	#21
Davezone5 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 16	Mine have grown super slow from seed too but I noticed once it warmed up and I transplanted them into the raised bed they've started to take off fast.