Can't figure out why the sprouts are dying

[noty johnson]

I can get a sprout but they always die after 2 days. I'm using schultz seed starting soil, tap water with adjusted pH around 6.5, and a 6500k fluorescent light, 4 feet long and about 2-3 inches above the cups. Some of the sprouts haven't come up, I might just need to be patient, but I've had 2 that already sprouted, and they both looked alright at first, then the stalk turned brown, the edges of the leaves turned brown (not the yellow color they turn when theyre overwatered, more like jsut a light brown) and the leaves never open, it just kind of falls over, then dies after 2 days. I cannot figure out what I'm doing wrong. Any suggestions?

noty johnson Reviewed by noty johnson on 11-23-2006. Can't figure out why the sprouts are dying I can get a sprout but they always die after 2 days. I'm using schultz seed starting soil, tap water with adjusted pH around 6.5, and a 6500k fluorescent light, 4 feet long and about 2-3 inches above the cups. Some of the sprouts haven't come up, I might just need to be patient, but I've had 2 that already sprouted, and they both looked alright at first, then the stalk turned brown, the edges of the leaves turned brown (not the yellow color they turn when theyre overwatered, more like jsut a Rating: 5

[nemf 2000]

try letting them come up in the dark and once they have split the seed then put the light on them.

[justaseed]

what are the temps? could be too hot with the lights close and not enough ventillation/circulation

[orangeman]

Are you letting the water you water your plants with adjust to the temperature of the room? How much water do you pour in the soil at a time? And are you saying that the leaves that are suppose to form after the seed has cracked and fallen off doesn't form and spread out? Maybe the lights are too close or too intense?

[busteruk7]

piccys will help you get a better answer m8 see what ya can do
cheers all

[noty johnson]

the seed shell is always already gone when it sprouts, the leaves are there, but still in the shape they were in in the shell, they never spread. The water is sitting in the room with the plants, so its the same temp when we water them. I sray the soil with a squirt bottle on the mist setting to water them.
1: How much of a difference does it make fo them to sprout in the dark, and 2: how much circulation are they supposed to have and how much of an effect does that have?

[orangeman]

Well air ventilation is very important. It's one of the most important needs which are light, water and air. Of course there are more but I think these are the most important. It will effect how well they breath and how fast their growth period is. And I don't think it makes that much of a difference rather they sprout in lightness or darkness, the minute they come up they are in search for light so why not have it already waiting for them..

[Weedhound]

IF the soil is right and the water is right, (and it sounds like they are) then it has to be your lights.....try farther away....

[sdhall36]

This happened with two from my last batch - they were OLD seeds, I had kept in the fridge for ages. The shell/husk came off okay but the two "starting" (I know there's a name for them - but I forget) leaves were fused together and therefore couldn't open, hence the seedling just withered and died.
So my question - how old are the seeds you are attempting to grow?

Hall

[noty johnson]

good info guys,thanks.

i got the seeds online, they just arrived about two weeks. Il'l have to look up the exact side as i dont remember. they are WW. I bought 10 and they had a promo for 10 more.

Yeah so both sprouts the two flowers (coytledons or whatever) were fused together. ON the last sprout i finally forced them apart after 3 or 4 days of no growth, it later died.

Unless i have some bad soil, it sounds like its the seeds.... The flouro lights are not putting off enough heat to cause the prob. Maybe one of the other 3 will make it. I'll contact the seed guy and see if he can advise.

I just assumed i overwatered the last one, but now that im having the same result and ive made sure to give very little water, im thinking its the seeds,water or soil. I havent tried distilled water, but im using room temp level tap water that i have adjusted the ph on with phdown. (was 8.5 its down to about 6.5) I just keep a gallon container full of tap water in the same room so its room temp

thanks guys. Ive tried taking pics but its so small it just comes out blurry. If i can get a better picture i'll upload it. THere is one in my other thread...