Advice on seedlings

11 years ago

Hi everyone. I've got some small seedlings which are under my Mars hydro light. I've had the light timer set to 16 hour days, at a height of about 10 inches. Additionally, I have a layer of glass over the aquarium, in between the plants and the light.

Fertilizer is a small amount of time release om top of each pot.

Some of the seedlings seem to be a little yellow around the leaf edges. I worry that they're getting too much light and burning. What do you guys think?

Featured Answer

rcharles_gw (Canada)

11 years ago

Dain, I would not have a piece of glass on top. Will be creating an anaerobic environment. The yellowing could also be from too much moisture.

Not sure what the effects of having the light source having the glass between it and the plants.

I would say have them out of the aquarium and have them directly under the lights at the level you have. May need to raise, as the LED's may be too close. Some of the LED officianado's will let you know.

Rick

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Comments (10)

Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert)
Original Author
11 years ago
I should mention that the glass is only on one half of the aquarium, so it is open to outside air.
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User
11 years ago
I agree with Rick, Dain. First, I'd take them out of the aquarium altogether. After they germinate, adenium seedlings no longer need the high humidity that seeds need.

Second, how many watts is your LED panel? Check the instructions and follow the minimum distance it advised. Even a 12-watt screw-in LED grow bulb, for example, will scorch a seedling three inches from the bulb.

Also, if the panel is throwing out something like 100k lux at a distance of 10 inches, I'd probably set the timer to keep it on for no more than 12 hours.

I hope this helps.

Pagan
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert) thanked User
Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert)
Original Author
11 years ago
The panel 300 watts, 130 actual watt usage. According to my light meter, at 10 inches, I'm getting readings between 20,000 and 42,000 lux over the spread. I'm not getting any condensation on the inside of the aquarium, so I don't think it's too humid. They might not need to be in the aquarium right now, but I'm going to need it here this winter, once the temps drop.
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
It's not rot as long as they are growing and their stems are bulging (not soft to the touch). IMHO it is sunburn. I have several seedlings that look the same.

A word of advice. Let your seeds germinate under LED light. If they sprout under less intense light (for instance, T5HO tubes) and you after, say 2-3 weeks, move them to a place under unfiltered LED's, they will get sunburn. I did the experiment. ;-)
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Ah, 10 inches... This is NOT enough. ;-) Try 14-15 inches. At least...

Some of them look quite young. Too young to be given fertilizer.
Phil UK zone 8b
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I have a young plant I bought a while back, healthy looking leaves, but stem is quite squidgy but the pot is dry, I didn't want to unpot but I might have to and see what's happening down below, it's a strange one for me?
User
11 years ago
Squidgy and the soil is dry? Maybe that's why it's squidgy. ;-) Pump it up with water! If you grow it at nearly 30C, it's no easy job watering it to death (well yes, if the soil is peat and compact and the plant is overpotted).
Phil UK zone 8b
11 years ago
I think I will Re pot into a coir growstone mix as if I remember right it's in more of a cactus mix, ie soil, pearlite, but the pot interior is quite small, so will make the change and see which way it goes.
addicted2plants Southern IL USA
11 years ago
I think taking them out of the tank will be the best option. Then again, don't listen to me Dain. I've been making bad choices lately and killing plants too.