Problem with seedlings? Can anyone help me to identify problem?

[Alfiecarted]

I grew last year outside and had a very successful harvest so i decided to have a go at inside growing. The problems i am finding is the browning almost burning of leaves on the seedlings. I have the light at about 18 inches away maybe even more and it still seems to be burning the seedlings. I have a fan constantly on the circulate air and keep the temperature down. I am using a 400 watt metal halide light fixture. Can anyone suggest some ideas and will they be alright in the long run even with the brown leaves or will they just start dying off?Attachment 282846Attachment 282847Attachment 282848

Alfiecarted Reviewed by Alfiecarted on 02-21-2012. Problem with seedlings? Can anyone help me to identify problem? I grew last year outside and had a very successful harvest so i decided to have a go at inside growing. The problems i am finding is the browning almost burning of leaves on the seedlings. I have the light at about 18 inches away maybe even more and it still seems to be burning the seedlings. I have a fan constantly on the circulate air and keep the temperature down. I am using a 400 watt metal halide light fixture. Can anyone suggest some ideas and will they be alright in the long run even Rating: 5

[stelth stoner]

hey dude would you try a cfl just to get plants out of seedling stage or increase the distance from your mh bulb to more than 2 foot, i assume your just giving them water and no nutrients, make sure the soil is moist but not water logged so roots can develop, you could also try the windowsill for some natural light, hope any of this helps

[PhatJay]

Invest a couple of bucks on a 23w daylight CFL or a few more bucks on a T5HO. Not only will it save you money, it will make your plants much happier. You also need to do some more reading. If you had done even a little bit of research on lighting, you would not have made this mistake.

[Alfiecarted]

I read a whole book on growing before doing this and just bought the mh because i had the money for it at the time. I measured the lights distance it was about 2 and a half foot away from the plants and it still was burning them. So i have a polytunnel at home so i decided to put them in there for a few weeks to heal them and get a bit of size then will move them back in to the grow light. So what ideally should the distance be between the mh and the plants if either of you guys can help? Thanks for the advice guys

[PhatJay]

I read a whole book on growing before doing this

It wasn't a very good book if it suggested a 400w MH light was good for seedlings.

So what ideally should the distance be between the mh and the plants if either of you guys can help?

You have the distance about right for a more mature plant, but if you want to waste all that electricity and use your 400w MH for seedlings then the distance should be around 4-5ft. But I really would suggest investing in CFL lighting for the seedling/cutting stage. I am talking about $10-$30 which will pay for itself in no time at all.

[silent leprechaun]

I would have to agree with one of the points stealth stoner mentioned. Over watering.

I think you might be going a little too heavy with the water. Take it much easier and see how things turn out.

Take careimp:

[mickrick]

i might be wrong but is that coco ya growing in,if so how much feed to a ltr of water ya feeding them.?

[Alfiecarted]

i changed the soil to perlite starter mix and put them under a 155 watt CFO and there has been a great improvement in their health which is a great sign.

[PhatJay]

i changed the soil to perlite starter mix and put them under a 155 watt CFO and there has been a great improvement in their health which is a great sign.

That's great to hear. Thanks for the update.

:thumbsup:

[nugatronica]

good luck hopefully it works out for you!