Sad plants need some cheering up

[ozzyleven]

I was wondering if anyone could help me out. First time growing in soil. I am using FF Sea forest blend and the seedlings are currently in 4â?� peat pots. The oldest ones are about 21 days, the youngest 14 or so. pH is about 6.8 for both soil and my tap water. I water sparingly once a day, when top inch goes totally dry. Once, I used about half the recommended dose of Neptuneâ??s harvest for seedlings, but have since stopped after some forum reading. The plants are under a 600w HPS approx. 30 inch away, doing 18/6 and are well-ventilated, with a fan blowing on low at all times. Temp seems to be about normal, somewhere in between 70-75 degrees, and dark period happens during the day when temps are similar, but I was baffled to find three of them dried to death this morning. Must have happened when I was sleeping, others are drooping slightly and showing a slight yellow coloration, and one looks challenged (leaves corkscrewing in strange ways?) Did the three just not get enough water? Or too much? I tried to revive them today, but only one has responded to more water. I would like to prevent anymore murdering of my babies. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
The first two pics are the ones that look healthy other than a little droopiness and yellowing (very slight), the third one is the "challenged" plant, and the last one is one of the ones I obviously killed.

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ozzyleven Reviewed by ozzyleven on 10-02-2008. Sad plants need some cheering up I was wondering if anyone could help me out. First time growing in soil. I am using FF Sea forest blend and the seedlings are currently in 4â?� peat pots. The oldest ones are about 21 days, the youngest 14 or so. pH is about 6.8 for both soil and my tap water. I water sparingly once a day, when top inch goes totally dry. Once, I used about half the recommended dose of Neptuneâ??s harvest for seedlings, but have since stopped after some forum reading. The plants are under a 600w HPS Rating: 5

[ozzyleven]

Sorry, about the blurry photos. I am hoping my explanation helps to clear things up.

[LifeSaver23]

same shit happened to me like 2 days ago only they didnt dry out..just hella drooped. i was doin the same as u.. every day sparingly .. when the top of the soil dried.
check ur shit out with a fork, poke around... dig underneath. i bet its dry as fuck, mine was. i sat there and mixed around some water... but u gotta make sure theres no dry pockets... get all of the soil damp or wet w/e.... ur plants might spring up immediately. mine did...after that just give the top a light spray and mist the leaves for the next day or so... then give them a full watering again and so on

[ozzyleven]

My plants leaves are starting to curl under and/or are drooping. Not sure what is wrong with them hoping someone can give some advice. The info below should tell you pretty much everything, let me know if there are any questions. Thanks!

E-indoor grow
E-soil
E-soil in 5 gal. pots
CSL-Fox Farms Sea Forest Blend
SCL-Down to Earth Biolive and Azomite
SCLR-6.0 ish
E-tap water that sits for a day
E-not sure yet
E- 6 weeks
E-Floranova Grow, Floralicious Grow, and Diamond Nectar
E-used in combination, tsp a gallon, applied once a week
E- 2 600w HPS, 2 ½ ft away
E- mid 70s to 80 during day, 60 to 65 during night
E- not totally sure, but thinking about 30 â?? 40 % never gets too moist
E-18/6 veg
E â?? a couple fans open airflow most of light period

[ozzyleven]

Any input? Doesn't seem like anyone wants to give their 2 cents...

[Dutch Pimp]

Any input? Doesn't seem like anyone wants to give their 2 cents...

well...it could be lots of things...:twocents:

1. 6.0 sounds ...low
2. 5 gallon pot for veg sounds ...BIG.
3. Earth Biolive sounds ...strange?

you'll have to wait until the Doctor arrives...to know more...:stoned:

[TheXFactor]

ur roots arent getting enough oxygen. try drilling some 1/8 inch holes all around the bottom half of the containers.

[Weedhound]

They look overnuted to me. ph at 6.0 IS low.......and I'm assuming that's from the runoff but it's still too low even going INto the pot.....ph of both should between 6.2-6.8.

Not sure I agree that drilling holes in your pots is going to affect your issue. I'd DEFINITELY stop fertilizing it at all and consider a transplant into some new, ph buffered and correct quality soil. Then check the ph going both in and out until you are sure they are both within the correct range. I love Fox Farms and use it as well but prefer the oceans forest potting soil. Have never tried your type. Just a transplant into good soil can solve a lot of issues.

Good luck.

edit: Check out Stinky's sticky on soil ph, and the hows and whys of flushing your soil.

[ozzyleven]

sorry didnt have the bag in front of me...Iam useing FF oceans forest potting soil

[Weedhound]

Then I would take that lovely potting soil and transplant your kids into larger pots with that and NOTHING BUT THAT. Water with regular tap water that you KNOW is between 6.2-6.8 and I'd be willing to bet your problems will go away.

Stop pouring so many nutes into your pots as well.....I'm quite sure that's where your entire issue started.

Good luck.