Root damage or nute burn?

[Help_Needed]

I've got four little seedlings growing strong. Three of the four are happily producing their fourth sets of leaves. The fourth one germinated late for some reason, so she's a week behind her sisters (yes, I'm convinced they're all girls - the power or positive thinking, ya know lol).

One of them seems to be showing signs of serious nute burn. The bottom leaves are turning brown along the edges and curling downward - about 1/3 of the leaf surface is now dead/brown. The next set of leafs also has a bit of brown along the edges. However the third and fourth sets look good....so far.

What's weird is that all four plants are in identical growing environments, and this is the only one with problems. All of them are in 4 gallon pots (planning on LSTing them). The soil is some high quality organic potting soil that I got at the local garden center. It *does* have 12% worm castings in it, though. The guy at the center said that worm castings were pretty much burn proof, but I'm not convinced. Is 12% enough to burn? And if so, why only the one plant?

Last, I had to transplant these guys about 2 days after I initially moved them into the soil (started them out in peat pellets). Like a dumb ass, I bought cheap topsoil the first time around, and decided to move them into something better. If i remember correctly, the sick on was originally my best grower and her roots had moved further into the soil than the other ones. I'm pretty certain I broke off some of the roots when I moved her. Could this be causing the problem?

Any ideas? Thanks.

[Ganja Guerrilla]

the root damage doesnt generally cause the browning, necrotic patches, the plant would being to colapse in on itself first, severe root damage shows signs immediately

seems like anything with added nitrogen, be it chemical or organic causes seelding issues, some strains are hardier than others, I have some that are touchy and some you cant kill

since its only the one showing difficulties, I would'nt worry yet but keep a close eye on the other seedlings , first sign of trouble transplant to soil with no nutes added

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by Ganja Guerrilla

the root damage doesnt generally cause the browning, necrotic patches, the plant would being to colapse in on itself first, severe root damage shows signs immediately

seems like anything with added nitrogen, be it chemical or organic causes seelding issues, some strains are hardier than others, I have some that are touchy and some you cant kill

Yeah. When I ordered the seeds I deliberately looked for a strain that was listed as being good for first timeres. Decided to start with the 10 freebie seeds they sent me. No idea what strain it is. For all I know it could be four different strains lol. Wish they would have labeled them.

since its only the one showing difficulties, I would'nt worry yet but keep a close eye on the other seedlings , first sign of trouble transplant to soil with no nutes added

And THAT is the $64k question. Where the HELL does one find nute free soil?? I even looked at a local nusery and everything they carry has at least organic stuff.

[Ganja Guerrilla]

Seedling soil can be made from your soil outdoors.....1 qt. of soil baked @ 350 degrees for 1 hour to kill all pathogens, and you have seedling starter soil

check the soil PH before you start

[burlap]

scotts metro mix has zero ferts in there. go to your hydroponic store ,like sgs
they will have plenty. the people at sgs told me that is the best soil less mix on the market.

[Ganja Guerrilla]

burlap .....dont be passing out advice in this dept , unless you know what your talking about.....ignorance is not the right to screw up anothers grow!

Scotts Metro Mix
Contains processed bark ash (patented), a sterile ingredient which improves aeration and wettability while producing a rich, black medium. A good, medium-weight, indoor choice.
• Choice cut Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss
• No. 3 Grade Domestic Horticultural Vermiculite
• Tested wetting agent
• Starter nutrient charge
• Selected washed granite sand
• Processed bark ash (patented)

which means it actually contains
potassium , nitrogen, & Starter nutrient charge(what ever the hell pre added nutes this is)

edit: dont believe what sales people tell you

[texunter]

no Scotts soil! bad stuff. I just had a go round with that stuff. don't kid yourself or try to convince yourself that it will work. your plants will all be sick. GG will tell you what you need to do. take heed to what he says.

[Help_Needed]

Problem with using soil from the ground is that I live in a condo...and the HOA wouldn't like me digging up the yard lol. And really not sure I want to explain to the neighbors why I'm brining in buckets full of dirt...potting soil bags are much less suspicious lol.

On the plus side, I think I finally found some nute free soil. It's a mix of peat, compost, and perlite and it's supposed to be Ph balanced.

On the down side...not sure the babies are happy about their third transplant. Am going to have to find some superthrive on the way home I think...assuming they're not dead when I get there.

[Ganja Guerrilla]

It's a mix of peat, compost,

both ingredients contain nutes that burn seedlings

the HOA wouldn't like me digging up the yard lol. And really not sure I want to explain to the neighbors why I'm brining in buckets full of dirt...potting soil bags are much less suspicious lol.

I hear ya! you certainly wouldnt want to dig a quart or so of dirt that didnt belong to you, or disguise it in order to smuggle it past those ever vigilant HOA

[urgr8estfear]

Be wary with the compost for it can alter the pH of your soil in the long run (think weeks/months).
Also think about wether you want to feed the soil to feed your plant (add nutes later), or are you going to let the soil feed the plant itself. (with compost and organics)

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by Ganja Guerrilla

both ingredients contain nutes that burn seedlings

Yeah, but at least it doesn't have anything extra like time release ferts or worm castings. It's a "professional" potting soil, to, so hopefully it'll do ok. On the plus sides, it looks like all the seedlings have gotten over their repotting shock. They've all perked back up and are starting to grow again. So *crosses fingers* maybe I've got them in their happy place now lol.

[burlap]

ganja i may not know hydroponic but i know scotts metro mix, buddy its the best, bar none why dont you try it, you will say the same. i have used it on all my grows, promise you. all other soils are garbage!!!! go to any hydroponic shop. watch what they will tell you. these guys have been growing pot for 30 years, they said its the best in the world. you cant find this stuff any where else. fox farm soils and shit like that are inferior. got to a hydroponic store, not your local garden shop. its the best bar none. thats what sgs told me to say too you, no this is not scotts products you buy from walmart.

[skatestreet]

Well i can't say much for the scotts soil however fox farm soil is awesome. However myself I use foxfarm ocean fresh soil on seedlings and never had an issue. In fact, I have a 3 week 4 day old plant that is 17 in high and showing sex with this soil. I can't argue the results. I would have to say i would believe the guy with alot more posts....1400 or 22

[burlap]

thats not the stuff im talking about, this stuff has zero fert, ganja i swear on my life, its the best. i only buy metro mix now for everything from seedling to tree. it has never burned one of my plants, its not just the best, but the best by far, superior growing supplys has every soil emaginable, just bring up the word metro mix, watch what they will tell you. the only problem is the price$

ganja please try metro mix once

[burlap]

i have just went a round with metro mix, and every plant i have had it in was awsome. i have used it all, one of you will try it and say the same thing, i have popped thousands of dollars worth of seeds in metro mix and never did any of them burn. ever ever