Why do I suck at starting seedlings in soil

[UberPooner]

Hey all,

Im having the dumbest trouble starting a single seedling from seed in damn soil!

This is so frustrating because im doing dwc and rockwool with 0 problem at all, both starting with seeds!

I will germinate then add to rapid rooter/rockwool. They all start the same and the ones that go in soil always start turning purple, really slow growth, really small growth, starts turning rusty.

While rockwool just explodes with growth.

Im putting in little cups and am just misting the top when I see it as dry. Environment should not be big issue since rock wool plants are fine. Check pic for details, even a clone in soil is having the exact same issues. Ive just used a bit of root excel and nothing else.

Can someone please put me in place with soil, ive been going on a few months just sucking 100% at this. This is almost 3 weeks from seed!

Dumbest most frusturating thing is, I have a super healthy mother plant in 5g soil that is doing perfect.

 

[corky1968]

Turning purple could be because of the cold or lack of phosphorus.

Did you check the runoff water pH?

In soil, I water until the water gently comes out the
holes and then leave the plants alone for a few days.

BTW: That seedling looks like it has burnt leaves.
Don't feed seedling for the first 2 weeks.
Good potting soil for flowers has enough nutrients for a while.

 

[HerBnGorE(illa)]

Are u using different water for the soil as u are the rockwool? Soil water needs to be ph'ed higher.

 

[aridbud]

You are poisoning them with nutrients from the get go! Wait until there's a decent root structure, then water using 1/3- 1/2 strength fertilizer solution.

Too, it looks like your soil is really compact....add perlite to the mixture 1/3 perlite : 2/3 soil/compost.

 

[UberPooner]

Thanks for quick info all!

Ph is good, around 6.2. Does anyone think these guys are worth reviving, im thinking about just starting fresh.

Ill water less and add more drainage to my soil.

appreciate all help!

 

[Tynehead Tom]

ph in soiless mix should be lower.
I'd flush with low ppms at 6.8

this was advice I picked up in a recent thread with awesome input from bwanabud and chimera. followed their advice as they helped another member thru his sick plant issues.
I too was at 6.2 with my plants (sunshine#4 soiless mix) but was getting the beginnings of issues with my seedlings. One of those was one of 2 that made it from a 17/18 year old pack of shiskaberry from spice of life..... very valuable to me LOL
As soon as I brought my feedings and flushes up to 6.8ph instead of 6.3 ...... my plants have had perfect health and no signs of leaf damage from nutes or PH.
almost at harvest

 

[UberPooner]

Totally appreciate the info @Tynehead Tom, I did not realize soil ph was good at 6.8. I thought it was higher than hydro but not by that much. Do you have a suggested range? I mean is 6.8 the medium or beginning? I think im going to do another run, water less and make sure ph is 6.8ish.

Thanks!

 

[UberPooner]

Oh also, im wondering if the depth of the actual rapid rooter cube matters?

Rite now my cube is about .5 inches above soil, im wondering if I put it like .5-1 inch under soil it will keep moist longer. I see the top of it get really dry.

any input on that?

 

[corky1968]

Covering the rooting cube with soil will keep it more moist longer.

The more soil you put along the stem. The more roots you'll end up with as well.

 

[mr.brunch]

Here is how I germinate in soil- success every time:

Put soil in pot, gently firm down. Lightly water the soil ( not too much, just make it damp) then place seed on top. Sprinkle about 1-2cm of un watered soil on top, then put the pots in a bag so they don't dry out. They will pop up in about 3-5 days, then get em in the light.
Always check the soil isn't too damp before watering by disturbing the soil with a finger... Too much water brings on the damping off fungus, don't spray.. Just water through once they start to feel dry.

Hope this helps

 

[Cannabis Motiva]

First off, you shouldn't be giving seedlings any fertilizer or nutrients at all.. Not even a little bit. The plant has everything it needs for the two weeks of growth. You really don't need to fertilize for the first month at all but that really depends on your soil - which looks pretty tight and compact, by the way.

I think people who have the most problems with seedlings are those who tend to overwater. Seedlings need very little water.

Wet your medium very thoroughly and let it drain thouroughly, then plant your seed 1/4 inch deep. After 24 hours, put a plastic baggie over the top of your cup to hold in humidity. Remove & replace the baggie once a day just to get some fresh air in. DO NOT WATER. When the seeds crack and break the ground, remove the baggies but again, DO NOT WATER. Leave them be and stop fucking with them.

Seedlings can go a month with NO watering (in the right medium) and will not die. They will die if you overwater, give them nutes or fertilizer, or simply fuck with them too much.. They are small, sensitive and need nothing but time.

When you water for the first two weeks, only do it when absolutely necesarry and water very lightly, just enough to barely dampen the soil. NO NUTES!

 

[Shmavis]

Are u using different water for the soil as u are the rockwool? Soil water needs to be ph'ed higher.

Important point.

Too, it looks like your soil is really compact....add perlite to the mixture 1/3 perlite : 2/3 soil/compost.

I agree. And a properly aerated soil mixture is almost difficult to overwater.


My advice would be to skip the rapid rooter. Follow airbud’s ratio for perlite to soil. Use this ratio with Fox Farm Ocean Forest & perlite. Once your seed has germinated put it into a seed starter peat pot filled with the soil mix from above. (Do not use something as big as a SOLO cup.)

As others have said, no need to get crazy with the water. In fact, BEFORE you put the seed under, thoroughly drench the medium with PH balanced water. And then wait.

Edit:

Just realized Mr. Bunch already suggested skipping the rapid rooter...