Problems with starts

15 years ago

This is my first year growing dahlias from seed. Everything had been going well, but now my plants don't look too healthy.

Seeds were started in soiless mix and germinated quickly. After the first set of true leaves I transplanted into either 4" pots or 16oz plastic cups (with holes in the bottom). I again used the Sunshine #4 soiless mix for the pots. I watered and fertilized with a MG transplant fertilizer (10-20-10 or something). A couple weeks after transplanting the leaves started to curl and a few started to turn brown on the leaf tips. Also, the area at the end of the leaf stem where the 3 leaves come together was starting to get a brown spot.

I think I have the amount of moisture OK because it doesn't seem too wet or too dry, and I watered again with the fertilizer, but they still don't look healthy. Any ideas?

I have some pics but don't know how to attach them, how do I do that?

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Comments (5)

chocolatemoose
15 years ago
What type and strength fertilizer are you using?

And where are you in AK???
mytime
15 years ago
Where are your seedlings located? I've sunburned/windburned/cold-burned a few of mine these past few days. You're right, a picture would help, but it's been so long since I've posted a picture on here that I've forgotten how. Here's some general info, but it's not very specific. I'll experiment and get back to you if I'm successful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardenweb image info
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jrypka
Original Author
15 years ago
The fertilizer I used was Miracle Grow Quick Start Planting and Transplanting Solution 4-12-4.

I am on the Kenai Peninsula.

The starts are in the back bedroom on wire racks with fluorescent lights with only a little afternoon sunlight through a SW window. Temps are in the high 60s in the room.
teddahlia
15 years ago
Too much fertilizer. They need almost none until they get true leaves and then 1/4 strength would do. Plants very sensitive to fertilizer when that small.
jrypka
Original Author
15 years ago
It might be too much fertilizer; however, the plants are not small.

They all have 4-5 sets of true leaves and are 4-7" tall and are in 4" pots.