Are these seedlings salvageable? Will they recover?

joebe1 · Jun 13, 2024

So I've now gone through a fair rounds of seedlings because something was killing them off pretty quick, I finally worked out the problem was fungus gnat larvae eating the roots of my seedlings and so bought some nematodes which I've now given to them today, but I'm not sure if the situation is too dire and its too late for these seedlings? Do you think the situation is recoverable... or even worth recovering and maybe better to just start again?

Everything was going really well, fast growth, praying leaves etc. but I then noticed a few fungus gnats get in and since that point all growth completely stopped and over the next couple days white spots started forming until the point its at now. I ordered nematodes but since it took a couple days to arrive the damage was already done. From experience will these seedlings recover?

Gmix · Jun 13, 2024

If you brought nematodes I guess you had gnats

Gnats won’t kill the plant normally there lava munch on the roots however normally the plants survive.

There good and will grow if you cut the watering down I know nematodes need water to survive however they normally clean up gnat infestations quickly

by keeping them wet the roots can’t breathe and growth slows right down

You have to find a balance

What I would do is water them let them dry a bit but i wouldn’t let it get bone dry so the nematodes don’t die off do that for a week the gnats should be gone.

That aside the damage to the leaves ;
How far away is your light what wattage is it and is it dimmed or not

Also no I wouldn’t start again if we did that at every hurdle we would never learn or grow and gnats are the softest of bugs threy are a pita however definitely not a reason to kill your seedlings

Grower1974 · Jun 13, 2024

Yep. Your problem isn’t fungus gnats. I practically raise them and kill off thousands a month. They are harmless and just a nuisance mostly.

I think you’re drowning them too often.

joebe1 · Jun 13, 2024

Gmix said:
If you brought nematodes I guess you had gnats

Gnats won’t kill the plant normally there lava munch on the roots however normally the plants survive.

There good and will grow if you cut the watering down I know nematodes need water to survive however they normally clean up gnat infestations quickly

by keeping them wet the roots can’t breathe and growth slows right down

You have to find a balance

What I would do is water them let them dry a bit but i wouldn’t let it get bone dry so the nematodes don’t die off do that for a week the gnats should be gone.

That aside the damage to the leaves ;
How far away is your light what wattage is it and is it dimmed or not

Also no I wouldn’t start again if we did that at every hurdle we would never learn or grow and gnats are the softest of bugs threy are a pita however definitely not a reason to kill your seedlings

The light is about ~25 inches (user guide i was given for the light suggests 16-18 inches for seedlings but that seems too close?) and is 65W rated with LED power: 600W equivalent. I have it currently set at 40% power, so like 25-30W cost.

Humidity is about 70% but I guess if I want to try and dry the soil out a bit lowering it might help with this? and temp is about ~24 celsius

joebe1 · Jun 13, 2024

Grower1974 said:
Yep. Your problem isn’t fungus gnats. I practically raise them and kill off thousands a month. They are harmless and just a nuisance mostly.

I think you’re drowning them too often.

I planted them on the 6th and have watered them twice (second time was today with the nematodes).

I think the problem is the fungus gnat larvae though not the actual fungus gnat

Galgrows · Jun 13, 2024

What are they autos or photos. If autos i'd toss them start again. They look hard lived at so young i don't know if a photo seedling would recover.

joebe1 · Jun 13, 2024

Galgrows said:
What are they autos or photos. If autos i'd toss them start again. They look hard lived at so young i don't know if a photo seedling would recover.

They're feminized autos, but I guess there's no harm in sticking it out and seeing what happens

Gmix · Jun 13, 2024

the gnat larva will only eat the roots.
If it’s not lights witch it sounds like it isn’t
The leaves damage can only of come from the medium and watering.

Some will call it hot soil however as gnick will say hot soil doesn’t exist

What it basically means is the medium has a lot of food in it and watering to much gives the seedling to much food

As you’ve a high humidity that would impact how often you water lowering it to around 50-60 might help

Shame there are autos as you want to hit the ground running with autos to get the best out of them, still they will live and you can call this one a learning curve and still get something back. Pheno are way more forgiving I deff recommend after this one to grow them and when it feels like you could grow in a matchbox come back to them if you wish

Witchever way all the best good luck

joebe1 · Jun 13, 2024

Gmix said:
the gnat larva will only eat the roots.
If it’s not lights witch it sounds like it isn’t
The leaves damage can only of come from the medium and watering.

Some will call it hot soil however as gnick will say hot soil doesn’t exist

What it basically means is the medium has a lot of food in it and watering to much gives the seedling to much food

As you’ve a high humidity that would impact how often you water lowering it to around 50-60 might help

Shame there are autos as you want to hit the ground running with autos to get the best out of them, still they will live and you can call this one a learning curve and still get something back. Pheno are way more forgiving I deff recommend after this one to grow them and when it feels like you could grow in a matchbox come back to them if you wish

Witchever way all the best good luck

I actually meant to say they're photos (not sure why i wrote auto) so I guess thats a positive. Appreciate all the help!

Are these seedlings salvageable? Will they recover?

Are these seedlings salvageable? Will they recover?

joebe1

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