So this is my first time growing super hots and I think I need some advice. I’m unsure if my Trinidad moruga scorpion chocolates need a dose of nitrogen or if something else might be wrong (or maybe they’re fine and I’m just learning still). They appear quite pale compared to my tomato seedlings and compared to my annum varieties I grew last year. My Fatalli’s and scotch bonnet yellow are also pale. Details below.
Germinated 24th Feb in good quality seed starting mix
Full-spectrum LED grow lights at 110-160 PPFD on a 16/8 schedule
Oscillating fan on a 16/8 schedule with lights
Trays still on a heat mat at 23-25C. Ambient air temp in London is still quite cold
I was planning on starting them on 1/4 strength Neptunes harvest fish and seaweed 3-1-2 once they have 2 sets of true leaves in about 1 week. I didn’t think it was too little light because my scotch bonnets have mild signs of excessive light exposure (taco leaves and anthocyanin).
The tray photos are a mix of chillies, basil and tomatoes.
Any help greatly appreciated! Thanks.
by ImmuniseTheChickens
7 Comments
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My reapers were slightly lighter when they were young, and as they matured, they got better. Could be a nutrient uptake issue. The soil i used had 6-12 months’ feed. So I’d say as they matured, they managed to uptake the nutrients from the soil better. I wouldn’t stress and feed them yet. They are still very young. What soil did you use, and does it have any feed in it?
https://preview.redd.it/en5t3eclhmqe1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f40874a714d80ea1bbe8ee62dee991474bdbcf52
Looks very healthy to me. Not all plants start as a dark lush green. If it was a nitrogen problem the color wouldn’t be so consistent throughout the plant.
I gave mine a small boost just yesterday, I had a whole post on it. If you want, you can give them a small boost with a weak nitrogen fertilizer. My soil also has nutrients in it and my younger seedlings are on the lighter side still while the older ones are starting to get a nice shade of green.
Otherwise for feeding, I just diluted and did some bottom watering. Something like an 11 at the maximum end for the strength. Maybe do that once every 2 weeks if you see that they are still struggling.
The soil may not be acidic enough. If so, the chili plant may have trouble absorbing nutrients.
Some of mine were like this. My lights were too low. Too close to the seedlings.
Give them some water with Phosphorus mixed in. The results I have been getting after a friend recommended it have been amazing.
Overall they don’t look bad, but get a small thing of phosphorus from Amazon. A little goes a long way.