What to do with a runt?

[hoosierdaddy]

I have some experience with closet grows in the past, and last year I harvested my first successful outdoor. I have never actually encountered a runt, until now.
(or if I did, I didn't pay any attention to it and probably culled it right away)
I have made my first purchase of hybrid genetics, and have my cab together. I decided that for my first cab grow, I would purchase Mandala seeds. Price was not much of a factor in my choice, but it was a great bonus.

Anywho....
I got the Mandala Safari Mix, along with GN freebies (MMMix part deux).
I sowed directly into MG potting mix, as Mike and Jasmine recommend.
It took 5 days for the first seeds to pop, 2 in the morning and 3 that afternoon.
The first two are fine and dandy, with very healthy looking everything. And the next two were also just as fine. But the last of the 5 was a runt. I actually watched the last three pop up during the very same hour.
It was apparent that after a few hours, this plant was not near at the development of it's sisters.
Here is a shot of the runt with one of it's siblings two days after emergence.


*(sorry for the crappy cell phone photos, I have yet to purchase a nice digital)

Here is a shot of #3 at 6 days:

And here is #4 at 6 days:


And here is #5 (the runt) at 6 days:
It is a bit deceiving by this shot, but the leaves are very healthy looking and a nice rich green color with no deformity. Just miniature!
Now, what is apparent from the shot is that the cotyledons are definately browned and dying, as if the seedling has been around for a week or two, or has some nute burn. But I don't think nute burn is a factor here, as I have not added any nutes...so whatever the MG mix is giving them is all they are getting, besides steam distilled water. (I think MG potting mix is 20-5-5)
The cotyledons from the other 4 seedlings are nice rich green and healthy.

Here is a shot of the three that emerged same hour at 6 days:



Now, I sowed the whole 10 pack of Mandala's, and have yet to see signs of the other 5. I also sowed all 5 of the GN freebies in the same fashion, and NONE of the rest have popped. These were all planted on the 12th, and it is now the 22nd.

I decided I would investigate to see the condition of a couple of yet to emerge seeds. One of the freebies was very soft and half of the shell actually came off when I took the seed out. So I gently replanted the seed.
The SM that I inspected was just sitting there as if it had just been planted, so I have my hopes up that I will see some more sprouts.

A few days ago I decided to sow a couple of fine bagseeds in Jiffy's, as I have always done. 4 days later I have a very healthy seedling.
Here is a shot of the 2 day old bagseed on the right, with the 6 day old runt on the left:


If all my seeds were experiencing the same things, I would think it was something I was doing wrong, but this doesn't seem to be the case.
Any thoughts on why I am seeing such a poor germ rate, or am I just not patient enough?

And what to do about the runt???
I have heard folks talk about regenerated runts doing fantastically well, but I have my doubts if it is worth the space to keep it.
Any thoughts?

 

[DRKN_MNKY420]

Way to early to be calling any of them runts. When they have been growing for 2 or 3 more weeks, then you will be able to make that call. In my very first grow I cultivated a runt and she turned out to be my best plant from bagseed that I have ever grown. In fact I revegged her, cloned her, bread her and now I have grown her out three different times. The last time being the best smoke I have ever had. Check my threads out in my signature if you want to see what I mean.

Anyways, good luck!
Drkn_Mnky420

 

[C21H30O2]

if you can man try to grow her out. if you kill her just cause shes small and not growing fast you could be killing a plant with a killer high. remember that growth characteristics do not always indicate the finished product. that runt could be the best high you've ever had but you wont ever know unless you grow her out and smoke her goods.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Hey, DRKN_MNKY420, thanks for your reply. I think it may have been your uno grow thread that was one of those I spoke of where folks have had great luck with their less than optimum looking plants. I know it is a bit early, but I have had a terrible germ ratio this time, and I was so hoping for as many of the Mandala's as possible so I was hoping to hear more stories like yours to confirm that smallish doesn't always mean bad genetics. Heck, I may have some recessive landrace gene doing it's thing here.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, no I am not going to cull it at all. I will grow it out and see what happens. Although it worries me to see the cots almost completely browned off of it, and one half of it's siblings cots have grown to be larger than this whole seedling!
Thanks for stopping by an adding a reply.

But I will say that I am very amazed at the vigor of the other 4 Safari Mixers! These are some of the healthiest seedlings I have ever seen. Although I would have liked a better than 50% germ rate, I need to remain positive so that the vibes flow to girl making. If I get just a couple of Mandala girls, I will have what I want, and maybe, just maybe, the runt will be a little petite female hellion...*(I love those types of gurls!)

BTW, I double checked the Ph of my soil in an H2O/dirt slurry just to be certain, and I get about 6.0 every check. And since I am using miracle grow mix that has a slow release add of nutes, I plan on adding nothing but water.
I will only go to tap water once the little ones have established the first three leavers. That is a bit backwards from what some do, but it has always worked for me.

I am constructing a grow journal of the Mandalas and will let everyone know how this little bit turns out. I will also post up here for future references.
...I often see folks listing problems here, then you never hear from them again. IMO, that only loads up the bandwidth and takes away from the total good of the infirmary section. It also allows crappy helpers with few real clues to get by with blowing smoke. So, I will make sure that I always provide the results of any help I receive here.

Again, thanks for the replies and encouragement folks!

 

[hoosierdaddy]

My Safari Mix runt is going to stay in the lineup, at least until they are sexed.
This runt ("lil bit" as I'm calling it) seems to be healthy with a nice strong stalk and nice green leaves. The dang thing is just a miniature plant. Maybe plants can experience dwarfism just like people do?

Anyway, I am quite intrigued with how lil bit will turn out. Hoping it is a gurl.

Take another look at the contrast between the two siblings that popped at the same hour as lil bit:


Lil bit has started to show it's first set of three finger leaves, and it's siblings have the three leavers established and a new set has begun.
I am only continuing this here in hopes a seasoned grower or breeder will have some info on dwarfish plants and what to expect.

Thanks for any info.