Found a Seedling, Attempting Rescue. Any help appreciated

[Mr.Higgins]

I came upon a broken up 5gal bucket on the side of the road about 5-6weeks ago on a morning walk.When I got closer I noticed a seedling in the rubble and it looked healthy and intact. I kept walking and decided if it was there on the way back I would take it home. It was still laying there an hour later. I found an empty Cool Ranch Doritos bag and loaded the root ball and plant inside. Tucked it inside my jacket and headed home. I went over to Ace Hardware and bought some nutrient rich soil and transplanted with a mix of Coco Coir.

I am in the Sierra Foothills around 2500ft.
Summer conditions are Very Dry 15-40% Humidity. Temps 85-105
Also dealing with wind up to 25mph daily

I did some research and read up on hardening and gradually introduced sun.
The lack of humidity was a huge problem and causing wilting so I fashion a garbage can terrarium.
The can has about 4-6in of water at the bottom with a pump on a timer the creates a splashing mist by hitting the side of the can.

I did not expect the plant to survive this far and start growing.

At this time I am introducing humidity during the heat of the day and removing the plastic in the evening.
Watering about a gallon every few days and the bottom of the bucket is on bricks and sitting in an inch of water.

The plant is starting to branch. Not sure if the plant is male or female.

I am wondering if I should trim the plant to fit to the terrarium or just let it grow.

Any advice would be appreciated. I know absolutely nothing.

Thank you

 

[Putthataway]

I came upon a broken up 5gal bucket on the side of the road about 5-6weeks ago on a morning walk.When I got closer I noticed a seedling in the rubble and it looked healthy and intact. I kept walking and decided if it was there on the way back I would take it home. It was still laying there an hour later. I found an empty Cool Ranch Doritos bag and loaded the root ball and plant inside. Tucked it inside my jacket and headed home. I went over to Ace Hardware and bought some nutrient rich soil and transplanted with a mix of Coco Coir.

I am in the Sierra Foothills around 2500ft.
Summer conditions are Very Dry 15-40% Humidity. Temps 85-105
Also dealing with wind up to 25mph daily

I did some research and read up on hardening and gradually introduced sun.
The lack of humidity was a huge problem and causing wilting so I fashion a garbage can terrarium.
The can has about 4-6in of water at the bottom with a pump on a timer the creates a splashing mist by hitting the side of the can.

I did not expect the plant to survive this far and start growing.

At this time I am introducing humidity during the heat of the day and removing the plastic in the evening.
Watering about a gallon every few days and the bottom of the bucket is on bricks and sitting in an inch of water.

The plant is starting to branch. Not sure if the plant is male or female.

I am wondering if I should trim the plant to fit to the terrarium or just let it grow.

Any advice would be appreciated. I know absolutely nothing.

Thank youView attachment 2683269View attachment 2683270View attachment 2683272

I suspect you are drowning and boiling your root system with your setup.

 

[Mr.Higgins]

I suspect you are drowning and boiling your root system with your setup.

Should I raise the bucket out of the water and just rely on top down watering?

 

[juliando]

The bag "dome" was probably helpful early on - for seedlings and recovery, but not so much now as it gets bigger.
It wilted early without a proper transition - but you should be able to get it outside eventually if you wanted to.
The bucket/bag setup is probably not a great long term solution - without a way to gauge temp/humidity and change it if necessary.

 

[Putthataway]

Should I raise the bucket out of the water and just rely on top down watering?

In my opinion you are going to boil the plant. You need to remove the pot from bucket and configure your water strategy.

 

[Mr.Higgins]

The bag "dome" was probably helpful early on - for seedlings and recovery, but not so much now as it gets bigger.
It wilted early without a proper transition - but you should be able to get it outside eventually if you wanted to.
The bucket/bag setup is probably not a great long term solution - without a way to gauge temp/humidity and change it if necessary.

Thanks. I'll start transitioning away from the set up and look for an alternative.

 

[Mr.Higgins]

In my opinion you are going to boil the plant. You need to remove the pot from bucket and configure your water strategy.

Thank you

 

[Ninjadogma]

I came upon a broken up 5gal bucket on the side of the road about 5-6weeks ago on a morning walk.When I got closer I noticed a seedling in the rubble and it looked healthy and intact. I kept walking and decided if it was there on the way back I would take it home. It was still laying there an hour later. I found an empty Cool Ranch Doritos bag and loaded the root ball and plant inside. Tucked it inside my jacket and headed home. I went over to Ace Hardware and bought some nutrient rich soil and transplanted with a mix of Coco Coir.

I am in the Sierra Foothills around 2500ft.
Summer conditions are Very Dry 15-40% Humidity. Temps 85-105
Also dealing with wind up to 25mph daily

I did some research and read up on hardening and gradually introduced sun.
The lack of humidity was a huge problem and causing wilting so I fashion a garbage can terrarium.
The can has about 4-6in of water at the bottom with a pump on a timer the creates a splashing mist by hitting the side of the can.

I did not expect the plant to survive this far and start growing.

At this time I am introducing humidity during the heat of the day and removing the plastic in the evening.
Watering about a gallon every few days and the bottom of the bucket is on bricks and sitting in an inch of water.

The plant is starting to branch. Not sure if the plant is male or female.

I am wondering if I should trim the plant to fit to the terrarium or just let it grow.

Any advice would be appreciated. I know absolutely nothing.

Thank youView attachment 2683269View attachment 2683270View attachment 2683272

It's not the lack of humidity per se, it's because they are taking on a TRIPLE THREAT: high temperature, intense light and dry air all together and younger plants dont have the root infrastructure to be able to move water up the stem fast enough to replace what it's losing. So take ONE or even TWO of those threats away... That's what a shade cloth will do, removes two threats: The heat of the sun and it's high intensity of light so it's getting a milder dose and can fight better against the dry.

Just to comment on appearance, the potting soil doesn't look like it has much aeration and you could wind up with roots struggling for oxygen and staying too wet too long but the coco you threw in should have given it better breathability... I'd have thrown a little bit of perlite in just to be safe.
Also it looks like some tacoing going on there and it's the kind that suggests to me the biome is super active so make sure when you water that you use an appropriate volume of water to move excess nutrients out of the bucket. If you haven't drilled holes into the SIDE of the bucket in addition to the very bottom you might consider it. More air will get through the dirt faster and better and can lend an air pruning effect that reduces the risk of root swirling.
Also, I wouldn't recommend putting a plastic bag over it like in that picture in the summer heat. If the soil is properly moist and it starts to wilt in the middle of the day, move it to the shade. Or as I suggested, throw a shade cloth over it. Wishing you the best with your grow.

 

[Mr.Higgins]

It's not the lack of humidity per se, it's because they are taking on a TRIPLE THREAT: high temperature, intense light and dry air all together and younger plants dont have the root infrastructure to be able to move water up the stem fast enough to replace what it's losing. So take ONE or even TWO of those threats away... That's what a shade cloth will do, removes two threats: The heat of the sun and it's high intensity of light so it's getting a milder dose and can fight better against the dry.

Just to comment on appearance, the potting soil doesn't look like it has much aeration and you could wind up with roots struggling for oxygen and staying too wet too long but the coco you threw in should have given it better breathability... I'd have thrown a little bit of perlite in just to be safe.
Also it looks like some tacoing going on there and it's the kind that suggests to me the biome is super active so make sure when you water that you use an appropriate volume of water to move excess nutrients out of the bucket. If you haven't drilled holes into the SIDE of the bucket in addition to the very bottom you might consider it. More air will get through the dirt faster and better and can lend an air pruning effect that reduces the risk of root swirling.
Also, I wouldn't recommend putting a plastic bag over it like in that picture in the summer heat. If the soil is properly moist and it starts to wilt in the middle of the day, move it to the shade. Or as I suggested, throw a shade cloth over it. Wishing you the best with your grow.

Thank you. How many side holes should I drill and how high on the bucket?

 

[Putthataway]

Thank you. How many side holes should I drill and how high on the bucket?

A bunch. Make it look like mild target practice.

 

[compostmike]

I came upon a broken up 5gal bucket on the side of the road about 5-6weeks ago on a morning walk.When I got closer I noticed a seedling in the rubble and it looked healthy and intact. I kept walking and decided if it was there on the way back I would take it home. It was still laying there an hour later. I found an empty Cool Ranch Doritos bag and loaded the root ball and plant inside. Tucked it inside my jacket and headed home. I went over to Ace Hardware and bought some nutrient rich soil and transplanted with a mix of Coco Coir.

I am in the Sierra Foothills around 2500ft.
Summer conditions are Very Dry 15-40% Humidity. Temps 85-105
Also dealing with wind up to 25mph daily

I did some research and read up on hardening and gradually introduced sun.
The lack of humidity was a huge problem and causing wilting so I fashion a garbage can terrarium.
The can has about 4-6in of water at the bottom with a pump on a timer the creates a splashing mist by hitting the side of the can.

I did not expect the plant to survive this far and start growing.

At this time I am introducing humidity during the heat of the day and removing the plastic in the evening.
Watering about a gallon every few days and the bottom of the bucket is on bricks and sitting in an inch of water.

The plant is starting to branch. Not sure if the plant is male or female.

I am wondering if I should trim the plant to fit to the terrarium or just let it grow.

Any advice would be appreciated. I know absolutely nothing.

Thank youView attachment 2683269View attachment 2683270View attachment 2683272

That plant is past the rescue dome stage now. The plastic and water tub probably helped it not crisp up early, but in Sierra heat that setup can turn the root zone into a hot, low oxygen swamp pretty fast. The leaf tacoing in the pics looks more like heat/light/water stress than something you need to feed your way out of.

I'd get the white bucket completely out of standing water. Water from the top until you get some runoff, then let the bucket get noticeably lighter before watering again. If the bucket only has bottom holes, drill a bunch of side holes around the lower 2 to 4 inches, maybe 1/4 inch holes every couple inches, plus make sure the bottom drains freely. Don't overthink the exact count, you just want air and a path for perched water to leave.

Instead of the garbage can terrarium, give it shade and wind protection while it hardens off. Morning sun, afternoon shade, or a 30 to 40% shade cloth will do more good than trapped humidity. A light mulch layer on top of the soil helps keep the surface from baking without suffocating the roots.

I wouldn't trim it to fit anything. Let it grow out of the rescue setup. Only remove leaves that are dead and crispy. Sex will show later at the nodes, no need to cut anything for that. Once the roots breathe and the plant gets a calmer transition to full sun, it should tell you pretty quick whether it wants to keep moving.

 

[Mr.Higgins]

That plant is past the rescue dome stage now. The plastic and water tub probably helped it not crisp up early, but in Sierra heat that setup can turn the root zone into a hot, low oxygen swamp pretty fast. The leaf tacoing in the pics looks more like heat/light/water stress than something you need to feed your way out of.

I'd get the white bucket completely out of standing water. Water from the top until you get some runoff, then let the bucket get noticeably lighter before watering again. If the bucket only has bottom holes, drill a bunch of side holes around the lower 2 to 4 inches, maybe 1/4 inch holes every couple inches, plus make sure the bottom drains freely. Don't overthink the exact count, you just want air and a path for perched water to leave.

Instead of the garbage can terrarium, give it shade and wind protection while it hardens off. Morning sun, afternoon shade, or a 30 to 40% shade cloth will do more good than trapped humidity. A light mulch layer on top of the soil helps keep the surface from baking without suffocating the roots.

I wouldn't trim it to fit anything. Let it grow out of the rescue setup. Only remove leaves that are dead and crispy. Sex will show later at the nodes, no need to cut anything for that. Once the roots breathe and the plant gets a calmer transition to full sun, it should tell you pretty quick whether it wants to keep moving.

Thank you

 

[AnyWayz]

I came upon a broken up 5gal bucket on the side of the road about 5-6weeks ago on a morning walk.When I got closer I noticed a seedling in the rubble and it looked healthy and intact. I kept walking and decided if it was there on the way back I would take it home. It was still laying there an hour later. I found an empty Cool Ranch Doritos bag and loaded the root ball and plant inside. Tucked it inside my jacket and headed home. I went over to Ace Hardware and bought some nutrient rich soil and transplanted with a mix of Coco Coir.

I am in the Sierra Foothills around 2500ft.
Summer conditions are Very Dry 15-40% Humidity. Temps 85-105
Also dealing with wind up to 25mph daily

I did some research and read up on hardening and gradually introduced sun.
The lack of humidity was a huge problem and causing wilting so I fashion a garbage can terrarium.
The can has about 4-6in of water at the bottom with a pump on a timer the creates a splashing mist by hitting the side of the can.

I did not expect the plant to survive this far and start growing.

At this time I am introducing humidity during the heat of the day and removing the plastic in the evening.
Watering about a gallon every few days and the bottom of the bucket is on bricks and sitting in an inch of water.

The plant is starting to branch. Not sure if the plant is male or female.

I am wondering if I should trim the plant to fit to the terrarium or just let it grow.

Any advice would be appreciated. I know absolutely nothing.

Thank youView attachment 2683269View attachment 2683270View attachment 2683272

It needs stability and good pH. Focus on no sudden changes. The new soil was likely a shock. Dont over correct or fuss any more. Forget humidity.
Yellow leaves mean its not getting nitrogen. The nitrogen is probably there but locked up by high or low pH. Test the soil with a liquid drop test. Mix a slurry with the water you use. Orange mean low. Yellow means perfect. Green to blue green means high. Adjust your water to get a slurry test result near yellow. Top dress half the lable dose with organic powder fert 444 (veg) and worm poop. Later top dress with 142 or similar.

 

[AnyWayz]

I suspect you are drowning and boiling your root system with your setup.

AIr movement is more crucial than humidity. Plants build their leaves and stems from carbon dioxide in the moving air. Coir must be well buffered or or steals calcium. I would add tons of perlite next time. Soil factors, air, water and pH are king.
Every grow is a lesson.

 

[Ninjadogma]

Thank you. How many side holes should I drill and how high on the bucket?

I do bands of 3/8 holes.. 4 bands starting at a half inch from the bottom and holes 2" apart horizontally and 2" apart vertically. Here's a rough illustration of how you want to make it look.

 

[AnyWayz]

I do bands of 3/8 holes.. 4 bands starting at a half inch from the bottom and holes 2" apart horizontally and 2" apart vertically. Here's a rough illustration of how you want to make it look.

That looks great. Good advice.
SOmetimes I do huge holes with a hole saw and out reusable grocery store bags inside the pail to keep the soil in. If I can keep up with watering, I use fabric pots, but be careful not to bash them around, because I believe the idea that mycillial growth is fragile.

 

[Mr.Higgins]

The garbage can set up has been deleted. Holes drilled in side of bucket and few more in the bottom. Shade fabric in place to use as needed.
Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[Ninjadogma]

The garbage can set up has been deleted. Holes drilled in side of bucket and few more in the bottom. Shade fabric in place to use as needed.
Thanks again for all the advice.

I think I saw you were getting some grief about bottom watering and just wanted to follow up on that... The plants generally prefer to be watered the way they are in nature with gravity pulling the water down. But growing plants confined in pots is a bit wonky and some of the ick in the soil can get hung up at the bottom and not wash out good so it's not a bad idea to give them a bottom soak every once in a while... It can help keep salts from accumulating at the bottom of the pot. The wickering up will help pull more salts. You just don't want to do it all the time. A cadence of about once every 2-3 weeks or something if you do it.