My Seedlings are Dry and Limp!

[amberalert]

This is my first hydro grow after only one small-scale, moderately successful soil grow. I'm doing it up right this time, and I got two water farm pots from General Hyrdoponics complete with their 3-part nute system and hydroton fill. I'm not sure what the name is for the system type, it's the type with the ring that drips down into a reservoir. I'm growing Oasis from Dutch Passion.

I started 8 of the seeds in those little soil plugs that you leave soaking in a tray. I germinated them for maybe 10 days, until they were about an inch tall and had some little roots poking through. One even had an identical twin! (two from one seed) Unfortunately the twin died when I tried to transplant him to a new plug.

I transplanted them to their hydro buckets (little soil plug and all, right into the hydroton), but I think I may have shocked the little guys too much when I was digging around trying to get them to sit right in there. They seemed a little limp afterwards.

I started them on very low-level nutes... the standard recommended "seedling" dose for the nutrient system I'm using (don't remember the name at the moment, sorry) and started the water running 24 hours and kept them about 18 inches under a 400w hps. I turn it off for about 6 hours a night mostly to let things cool off a bit.

After a couple of days they've grown a little, but they seem very dry, and the leaves are getting a little crispy on the tips. The leaves are a very dark, veiny green. Also they aren't standing up well on their own. After reading another thread on here, I thought that perhaps they were getting overwatered, so I turned the drip off last night during the dark period, so we'll see if that helps. I'm not clear on if I should let them drip all the time, or run them on a timer. Also, I'm worried that perhaps the one that I planted in the middle isn't getting water to its roots since it's far from the ring (I decided to experiment, and give one plant its own pot, and put three in another one). Will its root system develop quickly enough to get sufficient moisture?

Anyways, I may just be being paranoid, but I feel like the little guys just aren't as vigorous as they should be. What do YOU think?

edit: I'm trying to include pics which I've uploaded to my gallery, but for some reason when I submit it says "Your Post contains one or more URLs, please remove them before submitting your message again." Is this because I'm a new member? If someone could allow me or explain to me how I should include my pictures, I'll edit the post and put them in!

 

[beej]

What's the temperatures like?

 

[amberalert]

I don't have a thermometer, but it does get a bit warm in there during the day. Probably 90-ish directly under the light, though I do have a fan going. I was under impression though that MJ had a decent tolerance for heat if it had enough water, and in fact that heat increases trichrome production. Should I maybe move the light away from the plants a bit?

 

[Lady 420]

I'm not clear on if I should let them drip all the time, or run them on a timer.

At first, I don't think you need it on all the time. Try 15 minutes every 3 hours. Large mature plants might require constant drip.

 

[amberalert]

Thanks for the tips, I've moved my light up so it's now closer to a full 2 feet away from the plants. I've also re-positioned the fan so it blows directly on the plants, and I'm going to try to cut back on the water a little bit.

 

[Jack Crevalle]

Are you running Fluoros or high pressure lights? By the description I'm guessing Compact fluorescents or something similar. In that case, 2 feet is kinda far, but again, it also depends on the temps and size of your cab.

I transplanted them to their hydro buckets (little soil plug and all, right into the hydroton), but I think I may have shocked the little guys too much when I was digging around trying to get them to sit right in there. They seemed a little limp afterwards.

Baby seedlings or cutting with one little tail for a root are very fragile and sometimes get stressed/die easily. moving baby roots around in those hydroton is murder to fragile roots and will stress or kill babies. You need to let the roots develop a bit until you see more pop through the jiffy pellets before transplanting. You also need to level off the hydroton to the perfect depth, then very very gently place seedling in arranging roots and protecting with fingers like a gate, pour remaining hydroton to cover pellets completely, then slowly move your hand away letting the pellets adjust around the plant. After that don't mess with it anymore. This is very delicate and important work. Ph needs to be perfect and nutes very low. Drip like mentioned above needs to be on a timer (15 min every 3 hours or so is fine, they live in water, how can you overwater?really... Direct wind from a fan will further dry out the plants, don't do that. Direct wind from a fan is good on the bulb to cool it down, the indirect wind is enough, however.... Ventilation to remove stagnate heat above light is crucial! You need a small bathroom fan taking old, hot air out while new cool fresh air comes in from holes in the bottom. Hot air rises.
Why did you choose hydro for a beginner setup? Just curious, it is tricky, best of luck. Try coco also, you'll love it and your seedlings will love it more than hydroton....and it's more forgiving.

It semms like you stressed the babies. Let them do their thing and add only clean water for a while untill you see them stand up and grow, Sometimes it takes a while, but when they start to take off, they willl bump. good luck

 

[amberalert]

Jack, I'm running a 400W HPS, so I think it was a little too close before. I chose hydro because I have done a soil grow before, and I know there is more potential in hydro, and I'd like to learn the ins and outs. I think you're right on with what you said about damaging the roots, I think I'm guilty of that.

One thing that I'm still not entirely clear on though... if I put one little seedling in the middle of a pot, with a watering ring around it that's maybe... 6 inches in diameter or so... is the water going to trickle all the way to the center and get to the roots of the plant? It seems like the water is far out there, but I'm sure more is going on beneath the surface that I cannot see.

 

[Jack Crevalle]

I know there is more potential in hydro,

I wouldn't be so sure ...

One thing that I'm still not entirely clear on though... if I put one little seedling in the middle of a pot, with a watering ring around it that's maybe... 6 inches in diameter or so... is the water going to trickle all the way to the center and get to the roots of the plant? It seems like the water is far out there, but I'm sure more is going on beneath the surface that I cannot see.

The hydroton does a good job of distributing the moisture, like clay sponges, just make sure and bury the top of the jiffy pellets at least with a layer of hydrotons. If you leave them (jiffy pots) showing, IME, the baby seedlings and cutting's roots dry out and the plants get stressed
I bury them just enough to where I can't see the pots, theres enough air, the stems will be fine and they are anchored better.

 

[simplelife]

Hey , light way to powerful

Hey , light way to powerful

Always use a less powerful light or move your 400w like 2.5 feet away from them for the first couple of days. You might have damaged their roots a little and that combined with TOO much light is caused your problem.