seedling issues (color change)

So I have 4 seedlings growing (1 is 9 days since planting, the others are 7). I noticed that their growth seems a little stunted compared to some photos online at their same stage. I noticed that the oldest one has slowly turned colors from a healthy kelly green into a more lime green. The leaves look basically healthy and the color change is uniform. The other seedlings are healthier looking, but I noticed their color is slowly changing as well.

I took a pH reading of the soil and from the color guide, the pH looks to be around 6-6.5. Could that be the problem? I know yellowing in more mature plants means N deficiency, but these seedling only have one set of true leaves and a very tiny 2nd set coming in. Any suggestions?

Its not your PH if that is what you PH is. 6.2 - 6.8 from what I read is ideal for soil based grows.

What kind of soil are you using? and have you been feeding them this early in the game or have you been using plain water?

Because this sounds like a deficiency to me? Or your overfeeding.

I will add a chart to show what each symptom might be. (also got if from cannabis.com)

If you don't know.

Here is what each symbol is:

N-Nitrogen
P-Phosphorus
K-Potassium
Ca-Calcium
S-Sulfur
Mg-Magnesium
Fe-Iron
Mn-Manganese
B-Boron
Mb-Molybdenum
Zn-Zinc
cu- don't remember

Hope this help. Remember one important fact. Overfeeding kills your plants.

Is this your first grow?

I'm using a seedling mix, which I flushed (at the advice of stinkyattic's guide) before use. I'm using spring water that has a pH of 6.7 (rated on the bottle) and very low mineral content. I haven't fed them at all. Maybe I should add some 6.6.6 liquid at 1/8 strength and see how that goes. Thoughts?

And yeah, it's my first time :) Thanks for the reply!

how often have you been watering them?

If you over water you may still have the same issues because of the minerals that is in the water. or like I said you have a def.

Do you have a pic we could look at?

Sorry, my camera blows and I can't focus properly on them.

So you think the minerals could be building up from the water? I really can't say if I'm overwatering or not. The leaves aren't droopy or anything. I basically just water with about 10-25 mL twice a day. At that point the soil is dry to very dry on the surface. I usually water just after the lights come on and just before they go off.

Here's the mineral content printed on the label of my water (per 100 ml):
Sodium 0.88 mg
Calcium 0.84 mg
Magnesium 0.19 mg
Potassium 0.06 mg

It's 28.8 mg/L which is considered "Moderately Soft."

Change it to once a day preferably after the lights come on. What kind of pots are they in or are they in something different? If there is room stick you finger below the surface a little and see if the soil is moist. If it is don't water. Wait till the next day to water. The plants will tell you when they need watering if you wait to water. They will start drooping and such. But cut back to once a day if the soil beneath the surface is dry. Otherwise get a spray bottle and spray the plants and the soil to keep it moist. Spraying help with stem strengthening. If sprayed once or twice hard.

Like I said once a day if the soil beneath the surface is dry otherwise you are over watering. Can water drain out of the bottome of the pots or what ever you have them in?

Forget the last post it woudn't let me edit it for some reason.

Change it to once a day preferably after the lights come on. What kind of pots are they in or are they in something different? If there is room stick you finger below the surface a little and see if the soil is moist. If it is don't water. Wait till the next day to water. The plants will tell you when they need watering if you wait to water. They will start drooping and such. But cut back to once a day if the soil beneath the surface is dry. Otherwise get a spray bottle and spray the plants and the soil to keep it moist. Spraying help with stem strengthening. Spray once or twice don't over do with with 5 or 10 sprays per plant. Just spray once or twice.

Like I said once a day if the soil beneath the surface is dry otherwise you are over watering. Can water drain out of the bottom of the pots or what ever you have them in? If water can drain out water around the plant not on the plant and wait a few secs till you see it coming out of the bottom of the pot. Pour a little at a time. If you wait and see nothing comming out supply emm with a little more water. Use the spray bottle for the plant and stem and the water (glass/cup,water can) for the soil.

Let me know what goes on. I had the same problem in the first week so I figured out what the issue was. Seems you have the same problem

Another thing. After 2 - 3 weeks maybe earlier (your judgment) add nutes with N. Marijuana plant thrive when feed N. They need it to grow. Without it they will die.

If you need a cheap nute solution for later on that works pretty well. Get the peters professional all purpose plant food. 24-8-16. start with little and work your way up top full strength.

Another thing is do you have a PH meter or anything to test the PH with? If you do test the water before you add it plain or with nutes. Then get another sample from the run off water from the plant after you have watered them. And if you can get a reading of the soil PH. This way you know what the water in/out is and the soil PH. This way you may find where a problem PH is if its your water or your soil.


Hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything else. I am learning as well but have done a hella lot of reading.

Another thing. If you have a problem with a plant or a general question everything you need is already listed on cannabis.com. Just post or do a search. Search first though and if you can't find what you are looking for then ask someone.

Have fun man I know that so far I am. I love watchin emm grow.

I got big plans for next spring. Wife even getting into it.

Thanks for the advice! Obviously the simplest solution is that I'm overwatering. Since you say you had the same problem I'll try changing my watering habits.

I've considered the Nitrogen requirements in the future, so I plan to supplement the soil I transplant into with worm castings and just use the 6.6.6 liquid fert I have when the time comes. I also just planted another one and put a spoon of worm castings in the seedling soil as an experiment, so we'll see how that goes.

I'm growing Lowryder #2, so I need to maximize every moment on their fast track to flowering. I wish I had access to some superthrive or root hormone, but I don't.

Peace.

you know I am learning that the best way isn't always the way a grower should grow. you should experiment as you personaly may have better results then another method. find you way of doing things that fits you and are confortable with. experimentation is a fun learning experience.

Quote:

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experimentation is a fun learning experience

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I agree. I'm experimenting with 4 seedlings now..have only killed one (almost)....only the strong survive.

ugh. well four days have passed. the oldest one that was looking most yellow got yellower still and developed brown/green color on her tips. I changed my watering habits, and she looks healthier now, despite still being a green so bright it might as well be yellow.

which brings me to the other 3. one looks OK, but it's cotyledons are yellow and it seems to still be recovering from overwatering. another one has a wilted gimp leaf that looks like it might fall off at any minute (it only has 1 set of true leaves). and the last one's leaves have folded almost closed; one of it's cotyledons has rust-colored something on the underside. overall it's a pretty sad scene.

HELP!