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Yellow Seedlings
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Posted by kabuti 9ca (My Page) on Sat, Nov 21, 09 at 11:03
| Hi, we started several varieties Nov 7, began sprouting 16th. Slowest to germ., btw, are KB. All seedlings are not green but yellow (except for the weeds that came with the 'Orchard Supply' brand potting soil, they are all nice & green), whatever they may be. I was going to administer Miracle Grow when they need watering. They seem to be healthy otherwise & will go in the ground in March. It has been nice weather here so they go out during the day & spend the nights indoors. What do you think? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Yellow Seedlings
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| So they've been up five days or less? They don't have true leaves yet? The cotyledons are yellow? I wouldn't fertilize until you have a couple true leaves nicely established and then very very lightly. I recently read Dave uses no fertilizer on his seedlings all the way through the potting up stage. I like this approach because I also have started very early and do not want to encourage leaf and stem growth, rather I'd prefer stocky plants with strong root growth. It could be not enough light causing the yellowing or it could be too much fertilizer (from Orchid Supply) burning the seedlings a little. It could be something else, but those would be my guesses. Can you post a pic? About 20 percent of my current seedlings emerged with yellow cotyledons but after just one or two days of gentle 8 hour fall sunshine they greened up. I have two little trays of freshly emerged seedlings right now. Both popped up yellow. I'm not concerned. Also, if I'm wrong about this, someone please correct me. Thanks. |
RE: Yellow Seedlings
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| The more I think about the ones that came up yellow vs the nice green ones, in my case anyway, it's fertilizer in my mix burning the seedlings a little. As my supply of seed starting formula dwindled I added more potting mix (MG organic w/ferts) to the trays and it seems that's when the yellowing started (with some varieties) and the further I've moved along the more frequent it's been. I'm starting another egg carton today and I'm going to do six with pure seed starting formula and six with the mixture I've slowly created to see the difference. |
RE: Yellow Seedlings
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| These little yellow guys popped up last night and continue to as I type. 
The 'canned seedlings' behind them are a month old this weekend. The ones on the left were just as yellow and seem to be getting over it, doing okay, I hope. 
The too early to start 'em seedling mess as of 11-21: 
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RE: Yellow Seedlings
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| Best guess and a common explanation for yellowing seedlings is too much water. Most of us tend to way over-water young seedlings thinking that watering is a cure-all. It isn't and too much water is more stressful for young seedling that too little water. So assuming sufficient light (12-16 hours a day) then try cutting back on the watering by half and see if their color doesn't improve. Dave PS: and yes, feeding young seedlings is only one more cause of stress. Pull out the weeds and hold off on feeding until you have at least 2 full sets of true leaves - at least. Then feed with a 1/2 strength mix if you wish - I don't but many do. |
RE: Yellow Seedlings
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| I'll agree with Dave then. My yellow seedlings have been in containers with no drainage. I don't know if that's a bad thing, but I don't water them. I use moist mix and keep them covered until they sprout. Once uncovered in my air they dry out fast, and then I water lightly. It's likely the mix was too moist with the yellow ones. The ones in the white dixie cups had drainage and were nice and green. I use my satellite tv receivers for bottom heat, so drainage is probably not the best thing in those cases. :) |
RE: Yellow Seedlings
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| mojavebob, my seedlings look exactly like your little yellow ones. I think the mix was initially soggy as I am used to everything drying to death here most of the time, although I havent watered anything subsequent to germination I did have the pots in a pan of water for a few days. They seem to be greening up some & will be very cautious with water & fert. I have a greenthumb but these tom. seedlings seem to be tricky & I havent had much experience with them. Thanks all for your help! |
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