First Time Cannabis Grower - Seedling Help

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ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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Admittedly this is my first time attempting to grow cannabis, so I am a bit at a loss of what is wrong with this seedling. Below is the process I took with this seedling.

  • Germinated using the cup of water method. Seed was then put directly into a peet pellet until it sprouted 48 hours later.
  • Peet pellet was then put into a 12" pot, which contained a mixture of "Kellogg organic all natural potting mix, perlite, and coco coir". Before discrediting the Kellogg as too "hot" I did read on several forums that the Kellogg premix soil is not too hot for seedlings since it contains almost an identical organic nutrient mix just like the Fox Farms Oceans Forest mix. (guanao, worm castings etc.) Plus I have another seedling in the same mix, that appears to be doing fine.
  • Temperature is being kept between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, at a RH of 70%
  • Using LED ligthing, Samsung SP 3000 full spectrum, at 75%, hanging at 16" from the plants.
  • At current I haven't given any extra nutes, as from my reading the Kellogg "should" provide enough nutes for about 4 weeks.

Article about the Kellogg Organic Mix

Attached Pictures
The first picture is a picture of the struggling seedling. The 2nd picture is of the seedling that seems OK.

From the attached picture you can see one of the cotyledons is turning brown, but I assume that's a natural process as the seedling matures. What concerns me is the tips of the 2 proper leaves that are turning brown at the tips and appear to be dying. Also, just an FYI as of today 10/20 this seedling is 11 days old. Thoughts?
 
Seedling   strugglingjpg
Seedling   seemsokjpg
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mysticepipedon

mysticepipedon

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Are they both 11 days old?

I think you're overwatering and the roots are having problems. It's hard to tell with all those wood chips on the surface, but those leaves don't seem to be expanding as they should be, making me think your roots aren't doing their job.
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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Are they both 11 days old?

I think you're overwatering and the roots are having problems. It's hard to tell with all those wood chips on the surface, but those leaves don't seem to be expanding as they should be, making me think your roots aren't doing their job.
So the 2nd seedling that seems OK is actually only 6 days old. I thought overwatering was the culprit as well, so I've stopped watering, and I'm now just using a soil meter to test if the soil is moist or not.
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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So the 2nd seedling that seems OK is actually only 6 days old. I thought overwatering was the culprit as well, so I've stopped watering, and I'm now just using a soil meter to test if the soil is moist or not.
I'm also thinking that I might of planted the seedling too soon in the soil, but does that even matter if the seedling was started in a peet pellet?
 
mysticepipedon

mysticepipedon

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The soil might not dry out in time to save the seedling. You may want to consider transplanting into a soil mix with more aeration, but be careful not to break the tap root.

Is this an auto?
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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The soil might not dry out in time to save the seedling. You may want to consider transplanting into a soil mix with more aeration, but be careful not to break the tap root.

Is this an auto?
Yes these are autos of the Animal Cookie strain purchased from cropkingseeds. I also read that autos should just be planted in their final container to avoid stress since they grow fast. Wondering if I should just start all over, plant directly into their final pot avoiding the peet pellet.
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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Yes these are autos of the Animal Cookie strain purchased from cropkingseeds. I also read that autos should just be planted in their final container to avoid stress since they grow fast. Wondering if I should just start all over, plant directly into their final pot avoiding the peet pellet.
Does it look like the 2nd seedling at 6 days old is doing "well" for it's age, or does that one also seem like the leaves are not unfolding properly as well?
 
ComfortablyNumb

ComfortablyNumb

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Peat pots hang on to water like crazy. You have likely over watered.
We used to use them but they have issues so we just plant straight to the final 3 gal fabric pot instead. We get better results.

Basic Watering

Watering SOIL
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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Thanks for all the info, I am going to scrap the sick seedling, soil, and start over. This time I'm going to plant directly into the final pot and see how it goes.
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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So I added 10% of perlite by volume to the last mix. Below is a link to the perlite I used. When I ordered it, I wasn't aware it was "ultra fine" grade. Does the grade of the perlite matter, or should what I purchased be fine?

 
ComfortablyNumb

ComfortablyNumb

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I prefer it a touch more coarse but that is fine.
Be sure and mix until it's evenly distributed.
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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Will do. I will be sure to post my results along the way here. If nothing else, it will be good to have an alternative to the expensive Fox Farms Oceans Forest soil. This Kellogg soil is only like $8 a bag from HomeDepot!
 
ComfortablyNumb

ComfortablyNumb

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FF is not the great soil it used to be, especially at $40 a bag.
We changed to Roots Organic. Twice the quality at half the price.
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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It looks like good stuff! If I fail this time, I will give that a try.
 
ComfortablyNumb

ComfortablyNumb

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The Kellogg soil is not a complete living soil. It's not bad for a planting mix, but it lacks the MBE's to bring it to life.
(Microbes, Bacteria, Enzymes) You can add them easily enough, but be aware Kellogg has added food to the soil so you might overfeed until that is used up.
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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So I planted an additional seedling directly in this Kellogg soil, avoiding the peet pellet and thus attemping to avoid any issue with the roots and overwatering. It germinated quickly like the others, and right on schedule after about 10 days of life the leaves are turning yellow etc. So at this point I am convinced the problem is with the soil. To eliminate this variable I am planning on trying out the Root Organics soil. @ComfortablyNumb, would you suggest I use the Root Organics original blend, and can you plant directly into the Root Organics soil?
 
ComfortablyNumb

ComfortablyNumb

6,099
313
So I planted an additional seedling directly in this Kellogg soil, avoiding the peet pellet and thus attemping to avoid any issue with the roots and overwatering. It germinated quickly like the others, and right on schedule after about 10 days of life the leaves are turning yellow etc. So at this point I am convinced the problem is with the soil. To eliminate this variable I am planning on trying out the Root Organics soil. @ComfortablyNumb, would you suggest I use the Root Organics original blend, and can you plant directly into the Root Organics soil?
We use LUSH because it is a living soil. Original is designed for artificial feeding (bottled nutes) LUSH is the organic version. Yes, we plant directly in the final pots once amended.
 
ELGenerali

ELGenerali

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At this point I can safely say my issues were related to the soil. I switched to the Root Organics Lush and here are my new results.
 
IMG 20211204 122428

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