Hey, I included a couple pics of my seedlings, I think Im over watering them, causing some root rot maybe, just curious of what you guys think, it's too early for it to be any deficiencies, and it's fresh soil.
And I have been having a difficult time walking the line between dry and too wet with this method, so root rot makes sense, just wondering what you guys think.
Located in PNW canada
by VectorialViking
20 Comments
They look way too wet there, and they look leggy. Need more light, maybe a fan, and less water. Imo. Hopefully someone with more experience can chime in.
Very leggy, what’s your light looking like?
Seedlings need light and water, and no offense, you are completely failing them on both fronts.
First and foremost, replace the purple grow light with another. I’m sorry, but it’s a gimmick that doesn’t work. The best grow lights are white. If it’s sunny where you are, you don’t need to buy another light. Just setting them on a window ledge will be good enough until you plant outside in a month or so. Even a white LED lamp or something will be good, but you’ll need to put it 3-4 inches away or as close as possible.
Secondly, for seedlings and water, less is more. Water only when the top layer is dry, and even then, don’t drench. At most, just enough to rewet the top layer. Listen to what your instinct says, and use half of that. It’ll feel wrong, but it’s the biggest mind demon to overcome as a new gardener.
Too wet. Lights are miles away. I don’t like peat pots / egg crate because it competes with the plants for moisture and grows mold readily.
Get a Spider Farm entry level square LED light for about $90, they have some UV diodes that help with mold and better growth overall. Also I’ve never had good luck with that pressed egg cartons and dirt, waaaay too many microorganisms that can harm seedlings and it’s not deep enough for the roots. Next time start with rehydrated cocoa coir disks, they’re more sterile and yield better results. But at this point, you’re probably ready to transfer to seedling soil and at least a 5” pot for each so you don’t have to repot them again in 3 weeks. I bet the roots are already hitting the bottom of that paper and unable to grow properly.
Egg cartons are not suitable for seedlings once they are sprouted they have to be replanted quickly.
This may not be your specific problem at this moment–and maybe you have a plan to transfer them soon–but an egg carton is way to small a container for anything but the very tiniest seedlings. That could also be exacerbating your water issues: the soil could dry out very quickly and you’d be alternating between too wet and too dry.
I also agree with other commenters that your light is probably inadequate.
Best of luck!
I will add your seedlings look hungry and if those were mine I would up size the pot and use soil that has SOLUBLE, ready for the plant to uptake, fertilizer in it.
I’m not sure about the light quality you’re giving the plants but I would recommend you download a PAR meter like PPFD Monitor or Photone to measure the PPFD at the plant’s canopy. I shoot for 250 to 300 PPFD which will keep the plants from getting leggy.
I’m no expert on grow lights but that’s what I would do. Many talk about the distance away the light should be but if you don’t know the quality of light being emitted, then how would you know how far away the lights should be??
If anyone wants to comment, feel free!!
did you mean to create a seedling gulag? The soviets called they want some tips…
As well as a better light I would invest in a basic seed starting kit with little moduals, yes they are plastic but they can be reused.
Small yogurt cups are much better than eggcartons, stab some holes in them and you are good to go.
And give them some light.
i wonder if your light source is strong enough for the plants to photosynthesize?
I know it seems like the egg cart material is perfect for this but I haven’t seen anyone use it well outside of a very respected organic gardener gentleman in the UK and he’s depending on UV rays from the sign to decontaminate the the material and top soil.
Instead, google the silo cup method. SO much easier and better.
Also would like to add unless they are super hot peppers it is way to early to start plants unless you have much more space, large pots, and intense lights or greenhouse with the ability to heat it. I say this without knowing your last frost date but the general area could be from April to June.
I’ve used LED lights from Home Depot $40 that worked great. You can switch the colors from red to blue to full spectrum and they come with chains to adjust the height. As others have said, you can use inexpensive fluorescent lights but the bulbs are getting harder to find in the US. The reason those seedlings are so leggy is the light needs to be closer. My experience with the type of containers you use has not been good. I’ve purchased ‘plantable ‘ pots and they were too moist. As others have said, egg cartons are probably not deep enough. Watch YouTube videos from MIGARDNER. They say to transplant when there are 2 sets of adult leaves if memory serves. Just my 2 cents.
You need to repot them asap. These trays are too shallow for the roots.
starting over may be your best option
I am still learning and far from an expert, but leggy seedlings is usually a sign that they lack light. It’s a problem I’ve AB tested myself as well. Seedlings grown from the same seeds come up with shorter, sturdier stems when they have enough light. It makes a big difference. People on here have recommended downloading a free luminence app on my phone – Photone is fine, but there are others. It will use your phone’s camera to measure the brightness, and any phone camera will work. Photone has charts on their website you can use to determine if the number you get is bright enough. Usually you can compensate for a dim light by lowering the light to just a few inches above the seedlings. I don’t agree that all “purple LEDs” are worthless, but many are sold as a gimmick to show off that the light is emitting light at the red and blue wavelengths, which are important for development. In reality, a good white-light 5000K light will have all the colors of light needed, but you do need to make sure it’s bright enough.
Light should be like 6 inches from the top of the seedlings and you raise the light as they grow. Good luck! You got this!
Not enough light, not enough soil, overwatered. You have tons of time to start over. In fact it might be best to wait another month at minimum, if not 2. Tomatoes only need 8 – 10 weeks MAX before transplant. Overly large plants tend to take too long to get going after transplant compared to moderate sized plants. They can quickly get out of hand in the amount of space they take up in your house as well.
Get a real light. [a real grow light](https://a.co/d/08jkpJsN)