Whats wrong with my seedlings [pics]

[FALaholic]

These seedlings are 2 months old.
They are Kentucky Burley.
Don't worry they are my scrappers. Just want to know what is causing the leaves to turn a really light yellow.

 

[Aaron]

I'll take a wild guess. 1st guess would be too much water, 2nd would be not enough light. I'd wait for the fellas that know what they are talking about to chime in though.

Edit: Oops, just saw these are two months old.... no idea.

 

[FALaholic]

I feel as though it may not be water or light related. These are outside, in S. Fla sun. I only water when the top layer gets dry. I'm really starting to think that it is either nutrient deficient, or pH is starting to take its toll; 7 pH.

 

[Fisherman]

PH not a problem I think. It is most likely nutrient. When you are holding plants for replacement and not wanting them to grow out of their container... you can "bonzai" them sorta by withholding nutrients and they will remain a managable small size. Then when transplanting them as a replacement they will take off like crazy once nitrogen is applied and are no worse for wear and tear.

A good example ismy present grow which were planted from small cups after their brothers from same planting were already in the kiln.

 

[DGBAMA]

That Ph should be fine. Your soil looks like a wood chip heavy mix. Too coarse. Probably nutrient deficient. If there are no drain holes then too much water is a possibility too. I would recommend moving them to a finer soil with good drainage. A peat / loamy soil mix works better.

 

[FALaholic]

PH not a problem I think. It is most likely nutrient. When you are holding plants for replacement and not wanting them to grow out of their container... you can "bonzai" them sorta by withholding nutrients and they will remain a managable small size. Then when transplanting them as a replacement they will take off like crazy once nitrogen is applied and are no worse for wear and tear.

A good example ismy present grow which were planted from small cups after their brothers from same planting were already in the kiln.

You know what, let me ask you.
My Burleys are the only ones that look stunted. My current Burleys that are in their own SOLO cups are about the same size as the ones in my Skoal seedling tray. The only difference is that they aren't yellow. They have been outside for at least a month. Like everyone says, once transplanted they will take off, has not happened yet with me. I will say, I have grown from seedlings in doors, and once place outside they were growing almost an 1/2" a day.

My Samsun and Havana took off in the seedling tray and my Virginia started slow. Now all but my Burleys are taking off. Yet, they are not taking off like others have mentioned.

I guess the only thing that I can say about all this is, "if they are doing ok, don't bother them".

 

[FALaholic]

That Ph should be fine. Your soil looks like a wood chip heavy mix. Too coarse. Probably nutrient deficient. If there are no drain holes then too much water is a possibility too. I would recommend moving them to a finer soil with good drainage. A peat / loamy soil mix works better.

They are in MGs Organic potting mix. There is manure in there, and the cans have 5 holes in the bottoms. As for wattering, water goes right through the thing. I have to water it every day.

 

[Aaron]

You might try a tablespoon of epsom salt to a gallon of water and see if they green up in a few days. Even if it's not a magnesium deficiency it shouldn't hurt anything.

 

[DGBAMA]

I did not even notice what the cups were. They are about full size for the container. Put them in cell trays with good soil and water from the bottom. They will green up within a week.

 

[Fisherman]

As a whole I think burleys are the worst for showing yellow leaves. I am growing 4 varieties and all have a good bit of yellow lower leaves. Usually a treat of nitrogen gets them back right tho.

 

[Knucklehead]

The roots may have outgrown the container and caused spiral root. Put them in a larger container with seed starter mix instead of potting soil. The new dirt will probably come with it's own nutrients. Container depth is more important than width so the tap root can grow straight down.

 

[FALaholic]

You might try a tablespoon of epsom salt to a gallon of water and see if they green up in a few days. Even if it's not a magnesium deficiency it shouldn't hurt anything.

I have to ask. How long should it take for Epsom to take effect. I can't recall how long it has been (at least a week), but I applied a Tbls to each SOLO cup and I'm still at 7 pH.

 

[FALaholic]

As a whole I think burleys are the worst for showing yellow leaves. I am growing 4 varieties and all have a good bit of yellow lower leaves. Usually a treat of nitrogen gets them back right tho.

Thats good to know; your Burleys are doing the same.

 

[FALaholic]

The roots may have outgrown the container and caused spiral root. Put them in a larger container with seed starter mix instead of potting soil. The new dirt will probably come with it's own nutrients. Container depth is more important than width so the tap root can grow straight down.

I can't see it being the root. My actual seeding tray, is roughly 1" of soil depth. It is nothing more than a 1' long aluminium food tray. Everything in there is on the same soil and water cycle. Even the Burleys that are still in there are showing yellowing.

 

[FALaholic]

Ok guys I'm beginning to think that it is nutrient deficiency. My original seeding tray (aluminium tray), and my Skoal trays, are all showing the Burleys yellowing.
My Burleys in the SOLO cups have 'just' begun to show yellowing.
I've hit my Skoal (pictured) Burleys with some MG Tomato (w/ urea) at a 75% strength. Will see tomorrow what happens.

 

[Fisherman]

I have to ask. How long should it take for Epsom to take effect. I can't recall how long it has been (at least a week), but I applied a Tbls to each SOLO cup and I'm still at 7 pH.

Epsom salts I do not think effects the PH.. The salts are for magnesium deficiency which commonly causes yellowing in tobacco plants. Chlorisis is correct term I think. Salts usually do their work in as little as 2 days.

If I read rite the Tbls is tablespoon???? You could go from deficieny to toxicity without seeing a change in symptoms using that rate

 

[FALaholic]

Epsom salts I do not think effects the PH.. The salts are for magnesium deficiency which commonly causes yellowing in tobacco plants. Chlorisis is correct term I think. Salts usually do their work in as little as 2 days.

If I read rite the Tbls is tablespoon???? You could go from deficieny to toxicity without seeing a change in symptoms using that rate

Yes Tablespoon, as per instructions.
The Epsoms that I'm using is their Acidfier.

 

[Fisherman]

Yes Tablespoon, as per instructions.
The Epsoms that I'm using is their Acidfier.

Excerts fropm the following site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate
[h=3]Agriculture[/h] In gardening and other agriculture, magnesium sulfate is used to correct a magnesium or sulfur deficiency in soil; magnesium is an essential element in the chlorophyll molecule, and sulfur is another important micronutrient. It is most commonly applied to potted plants, or to magnesium-hungry crops, such as potatoes, roses, tomatoes, lemon trees and peppers The advantage of magnesium sulfate over other magnesium soil amendments (such as dolomitic lime) is its high solubility, which also allows the option of foliar feeding. Solutions of magnesium sulfate are also nearly neutral, as compared to alkaline salts of magnesium, as found in limestone; therefore the use of magnesium sulfate as a magnesium source for soil does not significantly change the soil pH.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP]

 

[FALaholic]

Thank you Fish, but the Epsom that I'm using is their Acidfier solution.

 

[Boboro]

Take em a part and put em out side in the shade.