New veg has been looking great until 3 days ago... now dying

I really hope my babies aren't beyond saving. Leaves started looking lime/yellow 3 days ago.

OK... the setup (as best as I can describe it):

51.5"Long x 22.5"Wide x 48.5"Tall "Mother Keeper" Grow Tent
4 ft. 4 Lamp High Output T5 Grow Light Four 5400K T5 High Output Grow Bulbs
6" Metal Flange
6" Inline Duct Fan (for air ventilation)
6" Clip-On fan (for air circulation) Thermometer/Hygrometer Set of Hi-Lo light hanger

I used some basic organic soil from walmart.

Here's the story and problem.

They are currently about 3 weeks old 6 total sprouts. Up until 3 days ago they were looking fantastic with me doing nothing more then keeping top of soil moist with spray bottle and tap water! Green, Standing strong, I was very excited!

Then 3 days ago (Saturday) I noticed they were losing their green. Starting to look more lime/yellowish. So, based on research, I figure its time to bring in some nutes. So on Sunday I grabbed some all purpose miracle gro from walmart (hydro store was closed and I wanted to save my babies!). Up to this point they have all been in 1Gal pot. I went ahead here and transplanted 3 of them to new pot. So now there are 3 sprouts in two 1-gal pots (total 6).

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After the transplant, I saturated soil with miracle grow. I followed instructions on box (.5 teaspn/gal)

There condition continued to worsen. Monday I went to hyrdo store and grabbed some superthrive.

mixed 1mL/gal into fresh tap. re-watered the plants.

Also installed irrigation system for future use when I have to travel.

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This morning (Tuesday) they look worse then ever. most leaves are now drooping, color has not improved, and most of the round base leaves are completely dead...

At this point I feel like I have overwatered... Now I'm trying to let the soil dry.

Any tips, advice?? CAN I SAVE THEM?!

sounds to me like overwatering, and maybe too much fertilizer. When transplanting, it is not uncommon to disturb the roots and cause shock to the plant. From what I see, I suggest you dry out the soil fast. get fans running across the top of the soil, and maybe even replace some of the top soil with some fresh, dry soil. after it dries out pretty good, flush with water, then resume watering/feeding as needed. But be careful not to overwater, this can cause many problems

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Originally Posted by tre93543

sounds to me like overwatering, and maybe too much fertilizer. When transplanting, it is not uncommon to disturb the roots and cause shock to the plant. From what I see, I suggest you dry out the soil fast. get fans running across the top of the soil, and maybe even replace some of the top soil with some fresh, dry soil. after it dries out pretty good, flush with water, then resume watering/feeding as needed. But be careful not to overwater, this can cause many problems

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Right now I have fans blowing across like you suggest. I will add a bit of dry soil when I get home. How does one go about flushing with water?

Its just a matter of watering with water only till it runs out the bottom of your pot. This will help to get rid of unwanted fertilizers.

Wouldn't that over water again?

GOOD Q. just wait till it dries out good. you always want a good watering, but you also want it to dry out good in the top couple of inches between watering's. If you do this, you would not be overwatering. Overwatering can cause a multitude of problems, I am dealing with root aphids because I was not as patient as I should have been on the watering. I KNEW BETTER, BUT..........................bla bla bla

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tre93543

GOOD Q. just wait till it dries out good. you always want a good watering, but you also want it to dry out good in the top couple of inches between watering's. If you do this, you would not be overwatering. Overwatering can cause a multitude of problems, I am dealing with root aphids because I was not as patient as I should have been on the watering. I KNEW BETTER, BUT..........................bla bla bla

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But don't take my word on it, ask around, and then use you best judgment based on research and common sense.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tre93543

But don't take my word on it, ask around, and then use you best judgment based on research and common sense.

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Your advice sounds good. The drying shall continue. On a positive note, they don't look any worse then they did this morning when I decided to lay off the watering. I think I might actually be able to save them :-)

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

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Originally Posted by skedmond

Your advice sounds good. The drying shall continue. On a positive note, they don't look any worse then they did this morning when I decided to lay off the watering. I think I might actually be able to save them :-)

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

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:thumbsup::weedpoke:

I have a couple things for ya if ya dont mind. First thing...1 plant per pot. Second...you might wanna get a different type of soil. That stuff looks like yard dirt. You might want to check out mg organic or 6 month time released since you are a walmart shopper. Or if you want to spend more on soil I would highly recommend Fox farm Ocean forrest if your hydro store has it. The best soil in my eyes and definitely worth the extra money. If you go with the 6 month or the FFOF i would suggest getting mg seed starter mix and start the sprouts in a solo cup for a week or 2 then transplant into whichever soil you get. Both soils tend to run hot for seedlings sometimes so thats why i recommend starting in the seed starter. When you transplant, be sure to fill the pots to about half an inch from the top. Get the most out of your pots that way.
As tre said, mj likes a wet dry cycle so water, let the the pots dry, then repeat. Make sure your ingoing water is around 6.5ish ph and your temps are good with good air circulation and growing should be a lot better for ya. I've seen many threads started with multiple seedlings in a pot and Im not sure that I seen one finished. Just some food for thought.

Thanks pushit. This is my first grow attempt and I've already learned a lot of things I will be doing differently on my upcoming round of seeds. I will def be taking your advice. Good soil from hydro shop, solo cup sprout, 1 plant per pot filled with soil. I'll wait to see what survives this monsoon I have put my plants through. Then I will transplant each into their own pots. My tent definitely has the square footage for more pots. Might as well use it!

How long should a 1 gal pot take to dry up? I've ordered a ph and moisture meter. Hopefully those will help me out in the future.

I would think 3 to 4 days to dry out the soil if you have good air flow. Just dig down a couple of inches along the sides as far from the roots as possible, If you have 2 inches of dry soil, then you are due for a watering in the next day or 2. you will get used to knowing when to water as you get to know your grow. I believe that PH is important, but mostly for non-soil grows. but of course, the more dialed in you are, the more chance of a great crop. JUST MY 2 CENTS WORTH

Ok. That's about what I figured. It's just so hard to sit idle while my plants look so lousy. This really does take patience. Thanks again tre!

just curious, is your organic soil that you got from Walley World supersoil (brown bag)? I have found that I love this stuff.

No. Its just miracle gro brand - Organic version. I bought some good light soil from Hydro shop last night for next round of plants and maybe even something to transfer these into.

I am going on 4 days now since last watering my plants. Soil is still moist about an inch in. Plants look rough - droopy leaves, yellow, and some even faded tips. When should they start perking up and regaining color? Should I attempt transfer into this new spoil I've bought? I figure that will probably be too much stress for roots right now.

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What kind of soil did you get? From the first pics it sure didnt look like mg organic. Are there drain holes in the bottom of the container that you have them in? Im clueless but im asking questions so thatll help out someone whos looking in that might can tell you what to do.

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Originally Posted by pushit

What kind of soil did you get? From the first pics it sure didnt look like mg organic. Are there drain holes in the bottom of the container that you have them in? Im clueless but im asking questions so thatll help out someone whos looking in that might can tell you what to do.

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Here is pic of bag from soil I used for these:
Attachment 288583

These pots have drainage, but I came to conclusion that it is poor. Last night I actually drill 4 1/4" holes in each pot to try to improve this situation.
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Flooded plants with tap water Friday. Looking greener and perking up by Sunday. Hopefully this positive trend continues!

Just to update anyone who may read this thread...
The plants got better. They turned green again and didn't really grow at all up until I translated all into their own pot with good soil from hydroshop. That was back around 1-12-2013. They have been growing daily ever since. Watering every 3-5 days. So excited that I have saved my first grow!

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