Seedling Troubles!

[sams3489]

My seedling is about 6 days old since sprouting and not looking to good.

If anyone could help me diagnose what is going on here, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Ocotillo]

I'd say it looks like it's rotted and/or molded and is shriveling up from the top down. Sorry two say it's probably time to check what you did (or didn't do) and start over. Was it wet allot of the time and also hot? That's a bad combo for mold and rot.

You may want to supply all the details (or fill out trouble shooting form http://boards.cannabis.com/plant-problems/173775-cancom-copy-n-paste-troubleshooting-forms.html) and change to plastic pots instead of clay since it'll be easier to change up pots as you go. Best of luck.


My seedling is about 6 days old since sprouting and not looking to good.

If anyone could help me diagnose what is going on here, I would greatly appreciate it.

I'd agree with you, it's not looking (too) good. Sorry mate.

[sams3489]

Should i cut it. the first inch looks healthy.

[Ocotillo]

Sorry, I don't think a seedling with no leaves and no root system would have enough energy to regrow from a cut. IMHO that is.

As Dr. McCoy would say:
qJQwHwP0ojI

[sams3489]

First time grower.
Using one 105 Watt CFL rated at 6900 Lumens with a color temperature of 4500 Kelvin. It is about 2-3 inches away from the top of the plant and I am using a round 10" reflector with a concrete socket. The light is on 24 hours.

There is a constant fresh air supply and air circulation has not been a problem.

I am using an all organic growing mix containing Canadian sphagnum peat moss, volcanic perlite, natural dolomite lime, and a natural organic fertilizer. This is in a 4"x4.5" round ceramic pot prefilled with 1.5" of river rock for drainage. No nutrients have been added.

The plant was grown from seed.

I am using tap water with an initial pH of 7.4 which i regulate using a diluted solution of sulfuric acid. I adjust the pH to 6.7 before watering and I usually water once a day.

This has all been done indoors in a stable environment free of insects. The temperature is kept between 75 and 82, while the relative humidity stays between 35 and 45 percent.

[Ocotillo]

All sounds very good except that's one big bulb! I'd bet that baby gets so hot you can't touch it, yes? I know my 46W cfl's do and their not even half the bulb you got there. And yes, I do realize you have a real 105W CFL and not a "equivalent" rating, in fact a 105 watt bulb has a incandescent equivalent rating of 420W. Anyway, it seems like it may have cooked it. It'd put it up about a foot and monitor heat at the plant tip with the back of your hand method. Does your hand get hot at 2-3 inches under the bulb? Seedlings are like women, they are very sensitive and delicate.

Your temps, was that in the room/cabinet shade or at the plant top?

I'm far from an expert, but for just a seedling I'd have a smaller bulb and put it further away... Perhaps a 23W and about a half a foot up? I'd use a big bulb like that after a few sets of leaves grow in and you start adding nutes. Let's see what some of the resident experts have to add to this mystery. :detective1:


First time grower.
Using one 105 Watt CFL rated at 6900 Lumens with a color temperature of 4500 Kelvin. It is about 2-3 inches away from the top of the plant and I am using a round 10" reflector with a concrete socket. The light is on 24 hours.

There is a constant fresh air supply and air circulation has not been a problem.

I am using an all organic growing mix containing Canadian sphagnum peat moss, volcanic perlite, natural dolomite lime, and a natural organic fertilizer. This is in a 4"x4.5" round ceramic pot prefilled with 1.5" of river rock for drainage. No nutrients have been added.

The plant was grown from seed.

I am using tap water with an initial pH of 7.4 which i regulate using a diluted solution of sulfuric acid. I adjust the pH to 6.7 before watering and I usually water once a day.

This has all been done indoors in a stable environment free of insects. The temperature is kept between 75 and 82, while the relative humidity stays between 35 and 45 percent.

[sams3489]

My hand feels fine 2-3 inches from the light.
Do you think I should raise the light source even if it feels fine?

[Ocotillo]

Again, I'd also like to hear advise from some other folks.

Since you ask though, I'd put a smaller bulb, like 42W cfl and about 10" up and try it again. It still sounds like a huge amount of light for a newly sprouted seedling.

If that were a clone I'd say it also could have rotted from drops of water smothering the leaves and center where the leaves start. You don't get the little plant wet and drippy when you water right? Just the soil right? Your humidity sounds good.

[sams3489]

okay i just switched the bulb to a 40w CFL.
I also have a 65 watt (200w replacement) as well.