Dead roots?

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10-20-2011, 04:23 PM
gigimarga

Dead roots?

I'm new at this and have a problem and questions. Four days after successful germination, the plant did not rise and the casing seemed to need to be removed. I did so and the whole seedling was loose.
After very slowly pulling up, I found that the root barely developed and got these:

[attachment=o279334] (auto blueberry feminized)

[attachment=o279335] (auto white widow feminized)

They were planted in organic soil with no nutrients. Also in the water I had a very tiny bit of super thrive. (about a drop to 2 gallons)

Light-wise I used a 90W UFO about 10 inches away 18/6. Foot candle was reading around 1000 at the surface.

PH was slightly over 6.

Watering-wise I filled until it drained trough the bottom before planting it. I had a plastic cover the first couple of days but the temperatures were in high 80s and humidity 99% under the dome so I removed it. I sprayed the top of the soil when it seemed dry.

The root was planted facing down when it was about an inch long and the casing I let show slightly. The lights were on as soon as I planted it.
10-20-2011, 04:47 PM
canadianhemperor

Dead roots?

Your soil is bad, you should use 4 inch pots with saucers for drainage to start the seeds.Use promix type of soil or potting seedling mix, yours soil as too much organic matter in it. dont cover the pots with dome or saran wrap or foil. and keep your temps in betwen 80 and 85 f. Ans spray mist soil dont water it using a watering can it will make the seeds go to the bottom of the pots.and the skin on the seedlings can be removed if it does not come off on it's own.
10-20-2011, 05:19 PM
dabot

Dead roots?

Yeah I started with the same soil, one of my sprout died like yours. The other one is doing very well but I'm making sure not to water the plant too much, poke holes on the soil to help drain and I also have a fan that helps. I'm gonna switch soil as soon as this one is big enough for transplant...

Dabot
10-21-2011, 01:32 AM
gigimarga

Dead roots?

Thanks. Threw them out along with that soil. Will try again with proper information.
10-21-2011, 01:51 AM
canadianhemperor

Dead roots?

to help establish good root system you can use some potting soil with mycorrhizae in it (found in gardening stores).Or buy mycorrhizae and add it your self.
10-21-2011, 06:53 AM
gigimarga

Dead roots?

Just got some Fox Farms ocean forest soil but I'm planning to start it out in just rapid rooters and using a heat-pad dome so I don't run into the problem of cold night temperatures. Should I have gone with Happy frog which contains Mycorrhizae? Should I add that as an additive?

What about the superthrive? Should I skip that completely?
10-21-2011, 01:27 PM
canadianhemperor

Dead roots?

I have never used these products so i cannot say which is better. I never use a heat-pad and dont have any problems with night temps. Superthrive never used it . I only use Mycorrhizae on the seedlings and it's included in my potting seedling mix.After that Plants are strong and have no problems in the next size container with only promix and dont need Mycorrhizae to establish the roots in that container. The only thing I make sure when buying soil is to have a high % of sphagnum peat moss in it. And the seendling mix as a little organic matter in it but mostly peat moss.
10-21-2011, 02:47 PM
gigimarga

Dead roots?

Looks like some people are recommending kelp meal instead of Mycorrhizae for rooting because they say that Mycorrhizae doesn't grow fast enough for the initial rooting. Have you experimented with it? Any thoughts?
10-21-2011, 02:59 PM
canadianhemperor

Dead roots?

No I never used kelp meal. I stick to what works for me. I have no problems with the mix I use. They root like it's a race to fill the container.but if you want to try Kelp meal it's up to you. No growing method is perfect and what works for me might not work for you. So play with it and make it your own. A friend of mine said to me once, if what you do works for you, dont change it. It's the best way to avoid problems!
10-21-2011, 03:34 PM
pushit

Dead roots?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigimarga

Just got some Fox Farms ocean forest soil but I'm planning to start it out in just rapid rooters and using a heat-pad dome so I don't run into the problem of cold night temperatures. Should I have gone with Happy frog which contains Mycorrhizae? Should I add that as an additive?

What about the superthrive? Should I skip that completely?

Ill tell you how i do it since we are using some of the same stuff. I personally do the papertowel method to sprout the seeds. Once sprouted i place them in party cups containing FF light warrior. Light warrior isnt as hot as the ocean forrest so you dont have to worry about burning the little ones up. Water with 6-6.3phd water. When its time to transplant i then place them into 1gal of FFOF and water with 6.5ish phd water. Thats pretty much it and ive had great results. The only time i use my rapid rooters is for cloning. I wouldnt use the superthrive. Mine sits in the corner collecting dust haha. Most of the time the less you have to add to your grow the better. Keep it simple
10-21-2011, 03:51 PM
canadianhemperor

Dead roots?

Good advice pushit, it's fun to see what peolple are using on grows. I could not answer the foxfarm question. And know I know it's not the best and why people should not use it. Thanks.