I'm killin my first plant! Help!

[newgrowguy]

The facts: Was given a small plant(4"high) planted in a soft pot of some kind. Got it on a Sat. It looked great, green, perky. That night I transplanted it to a 1gal pot, in a mix of Foxfarm ocean forest and perlite (3/1 ratio roughly). I watered it thoroughly with cold water right from the tap (have since learned that was a dumbass thing to do), put it under an 8 bulb flourescent grow light I bought from a guy at a hydro store who knows this stuff. The bulbs were only an inch from the plant and they put out no heat at all (held my hand over plant). Stuck the whole thing in an under staircase closet with fan. The room did get to about 82-84 degrees. By next afternoon, leaves are drooping, some yellowing and curling up with browning at tips. Moved whole thing to larger room, temp down under 80, humidy 40%. By next a.m, plant is hangdog, all leaves drooping severely. Gave it about a cup or two of water at center. It perked up somewhat. I will attach a pic. Please tell me if its shock or what, and what to do! Many thanks.

[Racerx]

I dont water when I transplant. Makes the roots seek water in the new soil. I do use moist soil though. I have watered when I transplanted and the soil stayed too water-logged and the plant suffered for 4-5 days. After the dirt dried out the plant begin to look better and was eventually back to normal.

Hmm I missed that you watered and it perked up. If it perks up, then its probably not over watered. I would just see what happens, dont over water.

[newgrowguy]

Thankse for the response. Your method makes sense. Is it possible the root system wasn't ready for a transplant? They were only a few inches long, or is that irrelevant?

[elway07]

did you add nutes? just curious and wanted to make sure you didn't add too many... if you add too many nutes, overwater, and shock the new roots with cold tap water...it could look just like that, but I am not an expert... check the ph and make sure it isn't a PH problem. other than that I have no clue... sorry and good luck

[elway07]

try giving it a bit of superthrive.. if it is shock or root damage... it will help...

[newgrowguy]

Turns out it was a combo of shock, high Ph and needing some H2O. I gave it some water that I had let sit and it has perked right up. The Ph is way high though, close to or at 8. I have heard white distiled vinegar is good for lowering Ph, but how does one apply it?

[babystarbud]

very carefully! a little goes a long way.

mix it into a liter af water, a drop or two at a time, a capfull in a half jug of water took ph in the water down from 7 to 5. ive never applied it, but ive practiced mixing incase i need to.

i would guess if you bring the water down to 6 and then watered the plants and re test the soil after a day or two that would be a safe way of doing it.