Purple / redish stems.

[SlowToke]

Alrighty, well the attached photos are of my two plants.

They have been doing alright - I just recently transplanted them out of a single cup into two separate cups.

The problem I'm having is that the stems have turned purple slightly, more dramatically towards the stems nearest the leaves.

I'm thinking it may be a nitrogen deficiency? Input would help.

Medium is a Miracle Grow Potting Mix, comprised of peat moss, perlite, and fert. - states its... 0.21 - 0.07 - 0.14

I've only given these plants bottled water (deer piss).

About.. 3 - 4 weeks from seed. (I'm aware its relatively small for its age but this is my first grow and I want to get the basics down with these puny things anyway :jointsmile: )

Any help would be great - many thanks guys.

:rastasmoke:

SlowToke Reviewed by SlowToke on 12-10-2008. Purple / redish stems. Alrighty, well the attached photos are of my two plants. They have been doing alright - I just recently transplanted them out of a single cup into two separate cups. The problem I'm having is that the stems have turned purple slightly, more dramatically towards the stems nearest the leaves. I'm thinking it may be a nitrogen deficiency? Input would help. Medium is a Miracle Grow Potting Mix, comprised of peat moss, perlite, and fert. - states its... 0.21 - 0.07 - 0.14 Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

Too much nitrogen for such young plants. That was the wrong soil to use. They should grow out of it if you fix the drainage and don't over-water, though.
Take the upper cup out of the lower cup, as it blocks oxygen to the roots. Cups should be free-draining.
No bottled water or piss of any type. Use plain unfertilized tap water until the plant shows hunger.

[michaelpeg]

about the purple stems they are totally normal. this question has been asked on here a million times, but still listen to stinky

[stinkyattic]

Oh yeah, that's true^^^.
I was responding to the written description of some things that need fixin', and the pics of sleeved cups with lanky, over-N looking, tip-burned seedlings.
They WILL be fine if you fix the issues though.

[SlowToke]

I have them doubled because the first cups have drain holes poked into them - the bottom has a spacer to allow water to drain so its not sitting in the top cup. But if you say they need oxygen and that the double cup is stopping it ill change it.

What do you suggest i do about too much nitrogen?

And about the piss, deer park water. no piss. lol.

Ill start using tap water. Why not use distilled water? and how will I be able to know when the plants are hungry? (for fertilizer I assume)

Thanks for the help guys

[stinkyattic]

The water will drain into the bottom cup, but there it will stagnate in anaerobic conditions, create a place for pathogens to fester, and prevent oxygen re-entering the cups.
Just make sure you have nice big drain holes in the cups, and next time they are light, give them a HEAVY watering with plain tap water. Nitrogen is VERY soluble and that will really cut back on the avialable amount in the soil.

[SlowToke]

Because I don't want to kill them from flushing with tap..

[stinkyattic]

IF you have big holes, and let them dry out, then water heavily once, then let them dry again... no problems.

[SlowToke]

Ok, I'm going to do that, I'm waiting for the soil to dry more.

Ill flush with tap and let you know how it goes.

Any other problem that you see apparent that I missed or am ignorant to?

Many thanks.