Is this overwatering or some sort of deficiency or what?

NuttyPistons · May 10, 2016

First the backstory. I started my seeds in 1.5" soil blocks around the first week of April (under lights). My plan is always to go directly from the soil blocks to the garden, however as you can tell I got a bit antsy and started them way too early, since the generally the 3rd or 4th week of May is the earliest we can plant out here in Central New York. About a week or so ago some of my plants, already pushing the blocks to the limit, started getting a bit of yellow in the leaves. I figured that this is probably the result of a deficiency of some sort as a result of needing more root space. Since I am giving away half of my starts to a friend anyway I potted that half up with just some miracle grow potting mix with extra perlite. Now I will show you the pictures.

This is my setup just for reference.

This isn't really one of the issues I am worried about, but the picture is interesting. The flat on the right was potted up a bit over a week ago, while the one on the left was left in the soil blocks until 2 days ago. You can see the color difference. They were all in the same flat until I potted up the first set, so that rules out differences in light intensity from the end of the tubes to the middle as a cause, which would suggest it is specifically a nutrient difference.

These are all pictures of some of the minor yellow mottling in some of the leaves

A few of the plants have developed these dry, crispy, whitish/brown areas. A couple of these plants also have lower true leaves that have just wilted rapidly and completely without any color change before hand.

I know my easiest solution would be to time my starts a bit better next year, but any information would be helpful!

Labradors2 · May 10, 2016

Boo hoo! I cannot see the pictures.

Could the yellow that you describe possibly be a nitrogen deficiency?

Linda

NuttyPistons · May 10, 2016

Pictures fixed. Sorry about that!

NuttyPistons · May 11, 2016

An update in case anyone can help:

A couple of the plants with the whitish, dry and crispy leaf areas have had more spontaneous wilting of single leaves or even just single leaflets. These will be fine one day and then the next I check on them and find a leaf has wilted and dropped off the plant, with the rest of the plant looking relatively the same. It seems that the vast majority of the major problems I am having are with my Green Giant seedlings. A few other plants just have the minor yellowing issues, but seem to be otherwise stable.

ginger2778 · May 12, 2016

You have a bit of a nute deficiency, but you are also getting mold on at least one leaf I see. Cut back on the water, remove your diseased leaves, careful to clean your leaf removing tool with alcohol thoroughly between plants so as not to spread the spores.
After they dry out to the point of very dry soil but not wilted, give them a bit of liquid tomato or veggie fert., diluted 1/4 strength.
I would also spray with a 1/2 of weakest recommended strength liquid copper spray, and fast! Need to get on top of that fungus!

NuttyPistons · May 13, 2016

Thanks for the info and suggestions! It is much appreciated.

May 10, 2016	#1
NuttyPistons Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Central NY Posts: 26	Is this overwatering or some sort of deficiency or what? First the backstory. I started my seeds in 1.5" soil blocks around the first week of April (under lights). My plan is always to go directly from the soil blocks to the garden, however as you can tell I got a bit antsy and started them way too early, since the generally the 3rd or 4th week of May is the earliest we can plant out here in Central New York. About a week or so ago some of my plants, already pushing the blocks to the limit, started getting a bit of yellow in the leaves. I figured that this is probably the result of a deficiency of some sort as a result of needing more root space. Since I am giving away half of my starts to a friend anyway I potted that half up with just some miracle grow potting mix with extra perlite. Now I will show you the pictures. This is my setup just for reference. This isn't really one of the issues I am worried about, but the picture is interesting. The flat on the right was potted up a bit over a week ago, while the one on the left was left in the soil blocks until 2 days ago. You can see the color difference. They were all in the same flat until I potted up the first set, so that rules out differences in light intensity from the end of the tubes to the middle as a cause, which would suggest it is specifically a nutrient difference. These are all pictures of some of the minor yellow mottling in some of the leaves A few of the plants have developed these dry, crispy, whitish/brown areas. A couple of these plants also have lower true leaves that have just wilted rapidly and completely without any color change before hand. I know my easiest solution would be to time my starts a bit better next year, but any information would be helpful! Last edited by NuttyPistons; May 10, 2016 at 03:41 PM. Reason: fix pictures

May 10, 2016	#2
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,896	Boo hoo! I cannot see the pictures. Could the yellow that you describe possibly be a nitrogen deficiency? Linda

May 11, 2016	#4
NuttyPistons Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Central NY Posts: 26	An update in case anyone can help: A couple of the plants with the whitish, dry and crispy leaf areas have had more spontaneous wilting of single leaves or even just single leaflets. These will be fine one day and then the next I check on them and find a leaf has wilted and dropped off the plant, with the rest of the plant looking relatively the same. It seems that the vast majority of the major problems I am having are with my Green Giant seedlings. A few other plants just have the minor yellowing issues, but seem to be otherwise stable.

May 12, 2016	#5
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	You have a bit of a nute deficiency, but you are also getting mold on at least one leaf I see. Cut back on the water, remove your diseased leaves, careful to clean your leaf removing tool with alcohol thoroughly between plants so as not to spread the spores. After they dry out to the point of very dry soil but not wilted, give them a bit of liquid tomato or veggie fert., diluted 1/4 strength. I would also spray with a 1/2 of weakest recommended strength liquid copper spray, and fast! Need to get on top of that fungus!

May 13, 2016	#6
NuttyPistons Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Central NY Posts: 26	Thanks for the info and suggestions! It is much appreciated.