So my last batch of seedlings totally dried out one at a time after not showing any signs of growth for weeks. I have a full spectrum light in a well ventilated grow tent equipped with a humidifier etc. I used the fox farm ocean grow soil as recommended. Obviously messed up something, but can’t seem to figure it out. So I am back here looking for some moral support to get back into the game. Any tips on how to take this a week at a time from germination would be immensely helpful.
I did scan through the forum & now I feel even more overwhelmed
PS: I have autoflowers ready to go when I can gather the stomach for another possible round of disappointment!!
Pics will help us identify possible issues. That said, the most common cause for seedling stunting and loss is overwatering. How mush water were you giving your seedlings?
It’s usually overwatering that kills them but from what you wrote sounds like the opposite if I understood your thoughts.
Use your finger a knuckle or two deep to check moisture and or lift the pot when dry and then when saturated this way you’ll get a feel on how dry or wet the pot is by weight. It comes pretty quickly if you do it everyday. You don’t have to lift entire pot off the ground just lift up from one edge and tilt/rock it back some and that is what you’ll get used to as far as wet/dry.
Seedling need to be kept in a pretty high humidity like your temps minus 5 would be the relative humidity you would want to shoot for so 80F 75% humidity for a week or two. Either adjusting the tents environment to get there or using a clear dome on top and keeping that moist inside (greenhouse) for the first 5 days or so helps. They don’t like real strong light yet either so around 200 PPFD or so.
When they break ground they are going to use their available resources to develop the roots you can’t see until they start putting more of that energy into top growth. If you were underwatering them they could have not made it from that.
Momma didn’t raise no quitter!
You got this
Just shout out explaining to us your plan and I’m sure you’ll get some feedback with suggestions and pointers from folk on here.
Enjoy the day
Use a clear plastic cup or a half a pop bottle as a humidity dome over the little sprouts. Mist the dome and mist around the base of the plant.
I recommend not using Fox Farm soil until the seedlings are at least 2 weeks old (first week of veg) because Fox Farm has nutrients in it. These nutrients are suppose to last for a month - most people say. So… germinate and grow in a virgin mix of 50/50 peat moss and perlite in a small container - a solo plastic cup or smaller. The small container is easier to control optimum moisture content (watering is not needed for usually 2 weeks). Good Luck, Brother, and Happy Growing. First week, use PAR=300 and RH=80, thereafter increase PAR to no more than 450 and keep RH=70 for 2nd week. Many VPD Charts are available for download, but check that its accurate. Many indicate too humid conditions for Temp. Don’t be concerned to match VPD charts too closely. Get an optimum Temp/Humidity that makes your plants “pray” (45 degree top leaves angle). If you do use a solo cup size container, you will have to use higher temps (80F) and RH=50 so that your media will dry out appropriately or else your plants will drown. Good Luck :-).
That’s no seedling! Them be flowers on the top! What type of light do you use, wattage, distance from plant? And all of the above info too!