RDWC Second Attempt - Autoflower Seedling Wilting

[darthxrinzler]

This is my second attempt at rdwc growing autoflowers. First attempt, I kept the rapid rooters in the prop tray too long, too wet and they got stunted to hell. Tossed one and one is currently budding and I might get 1 gram if I'm lucky.

Now for the second attempt. Planted the seeds in the rapid rooters on Feb 14. Shot the bottom of the rooters with water every 2 days. They grew way faster than the previous and looked a lot happier. Made sure to keep the plug moist. Not too wet and let it dry out a bit.

I took them out of the prop tray with dome and placed them in the rdwc buckets and a 2x4 tent on Feb 23. Today is the 27. Since then, the roots are getting nice growth, however, the plant leaves went from being upright with perky leaves towards the light source, to wilting since being in the 2x4.

Ac Infinity AI controller is set to keep temp at 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 65% - 72% Humidity. PH is 5.9. EC is .44

Lights are on 20 and off 4. DLI is about 20.

Lightly feeding them with my automated dosing system per the feeding schedule of my nutes for autoflowers. The nutes are for autoflowers so it's already diluted a bit.

I have oscillating fans on level 2. Exhaust fan min 3 max 8. Heater max level 8. Humidifier max level 8. Lights are on level 5.

Theyre stressed. What should I do? Or what shouldn't I of done? Still a learning process for me. Thinking of maybe covering them up with plastic bottle if it's an environment issue. Even with the droopiness, this grow is going MUCH BETTER than the last attempt. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

*And before anyone says anything about it, I have neoprene collars to cover the plug. They're just off at the moment because I needed to take them out for the photos*

 

[darthxrinzler]

Here is the 2x4 tent setup. Humidifer hose is top left. Heater hose is mid right.

 

[darthxrinzler]

Or maybe it's lack of oxygen from the root area being a lot more wet than the propogation tray? Roots are growing atleast. I took a gallon out of the reservoir to lower the water level a bit to keep the roots growing down and to hopefully dry up the root zone in the rapid rooter if it's lack of oxygen. I can't see how it would be environmental. The propogation dome was pretty similar temp and humidity.

 

[darthxrinzler]

Since the roots aren't fully in the water, I assume the rapid rooter is staying too wet, therefore starving them of oxygen. I took the neoprene collars off for now to hopefully allow the plugs to evaporate a bit.

I wanted to get them into the main system because the roots were growing slowly in the propogation tray, although the plant seemed happier.

Since being in the rdwc, the roots are growing well and faster, but the plant looks sad.

I'm thinking maybe next time I'll keep them in the propogation tray a little longer so the roots establish a little more. Otherwise, I'm not sure how to keep the plug itself more dry in the rdwc while the roots are getting established. I've read you need to raise the water level in the reservoir in the beginning in order for the roots to reach the water, however, doing this also allows the plug to absorb too much. So I'm trying to find the correct balance and strategy.

Picture doesnt show it well, but the plug is pretty damn wet.

 

[weed4we]

Leave an air gap between the netcup and the rez water. About 2 inches.use a larger netpot with some clay pebbles to the base and around plug. The roots will still get wet with the turbulence and the clay will be moist and the plug dry. Allow the roots to grow into water. Block out light from getting imto the rez from the top by the plug (i see spaces) and keep rez temps under 70. Adding beneficial organisams also helps with stress ( great white, hydroguard). Be gentle and patient.

 

[darthxrinzler]

Leave an air gap between the netcup and the rez water. About 2 inches.use a larger netpot with some clay pebbles to the base and around plug. The roots will still get wet with the turbulence and the clay will be moist and the plug dry. Allow the roots to grow into water. Block out light from getting imto the rez from the top by the plug (i see spaces) and keep rez temps under 70. Adding beneficial organisams also helps with stress ( great white, hydroguard). Be gentle and patient.

Thanks for the tips. I can't use a larger netpot. These rdwc buckets from Hydra Unlimited are unique and use what they call a Root Halo. They eliminate the need for a netpot and have a little shelf for a rockwool cube to sit on. They also come with neoprene collars. I have Rapid Rooters and they move around too much on the Root Halo shelf, so I designed and 3D printed the little netpots to fit into the Root Halo so they secure the Rapid Rooter better.

As for the small gap and light getting through to the reservoir, the neoprene collars block it completely. I just have them off at the moment to hopefully dry out the plugs a bit.

 

[Eds]

This is my second attempt at rdwc growing autoflowers. First attempt, I kept the rapid rooters in the prop tray too long, too wet and they got stunted to hell. Tossed one and one is currently budding and I might get 1 gram if I'm lucky.

Now for the second attempt. Planted the seeds in the rapid rooters on Feb 14. Shot the bottom of the rooters with water every 2 days. They grew way faster than the previous and looked a lot happier. Made sure to keep the plug moist. Not too wet and let it dry out a bit.

I took them out of the prop tray with dome and placed them in the rdwc buckets and a 2x4 tent on Feb 23. Today is the 27. Since then, the roots are getting nice growth, however, the plant leaves went from being upright with perky leaves towards the light source, to wilting since being in the 2x4.

Ac Infinity AI controller is set to keep temp at 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 65% - 72% Humidity. PH is 5.9. EC is .44

Lights are on 20 and off 4. DLI is about 20.

Lightly feeding them with my automated dosing system per the feeding schedule of my nutes for autoflowers. The nutes are for autoflowers so it's already diluted a bit.

I have oscillating fans on level 2. Exhaust fan min 3 max 8. Heater max level 8. Humidifier max level 8. Lights are on level 5.

Theyre stressed. What should I do? Or what shouldn't I of done? Still a learning process for me. Thinking of maybe covering them up with plastic bottle if it's an environment issue. Even with the droopiness, this grow is going MUCH BETTER than the last attempt. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

*And before anyone says anything about it, I have neoprene collars to cover the plug. They're just off at the moment because I needed to take them out for the photos*

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Everything looks pretty good I run 6.2 pH during veg gets more of the nutrients needed for growth. I lower it to 5.8 during flower. I run a 4 inch gap below net pot