Can anyone give me the secret to not screw up seedlings

[ssummer]

Not sure what I’m doing wrong here, when the soil is completely bone dry(I have a test cell with just soil so I can physically dig down and see how moist the soil is in that particular cell), I water from the bottom for a day then dump the rest out(about every 5-7 days), all seedlings are getting between 300-500par with grow lights. The room is nice and warm between 75-80 degrees. I am using organic seed starting mix, the newly sprouted seedlings are not new… they are over a month old at this point. The seedlings in the photo were they are slightly larger are 2 months old and have not grow even slightly in the last month also if you zoom in, one of my 12 strains if tobacco seedlings have gone completely white. There are a variety of different organic seeds being grow which were purchased from various websites/suppliers. There is only one common denominator, none of them are growing… I’m a broken record at this point, I have taken as much info that this site has had to offer. But still no luck, fyi this is my first time growing anything, I must be doing something wrong here. Thanks guys

 

[jclif43]

just shooting from the hip here, but maybe it is your seed. Where did you source your seed from? How old is it? It may be too late for this season, but perhaps source some new seed and try again to see if you get a different result

 

[deluxestogie]

Time to move the trays outdoors. 'Tis the season.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

You may have used up the fertilizer in the starting mix. Start with half strength miracle grow for tomatoes and add a dose of one tablespoon of epsom salt per gallon of water. Start to harden off the plants by slowly allowing them sunlight a little bit at a time until they can withstand full sun all day. That could take a week or two. They will sun burn easily until they have hardened off.

 

[wruk53]

this is my first time growing anything

I hesitate to chime in on this because of the above statement, but here goes. I would get rid of the organic seed starting mix and make my own from a mix of 2 parts perlite, 2 parts peat moss and 1 part vermiculite. These items can be purchased at any garden shop worthy of the name. Read the ingredient list and if none of these three items contain any extra nutrients, mix up some miracle grow for tomatoes with water at about 1/4 strength (1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water) and moisten the mix with it. I also add a very small amount of epsom salts to provide extra magnesium. Sow your seeds on top of the cells, keep the surface moist while the seeds are germinating. Once they are well established, water from the bottom with the weak MG solution whenever the tray starts feeling kind of light. I never let my tray completely dry out before re-watering.
I would try this first, if it still doesn't work, then you may have a PH issue with your water or some other unknown issue such as chlorinated water. It's impossible to say without testing. I wish you good luck.

The seedlings below were about 5 weeks old when the picture was taken. The above mix and methods were used.

 

[johnny108]

I would second the above method posted by Wruk53.
I’ve had better seedlings since I just copied his method, and have labeled the seed starting mix “WrukMix”, as its now a standard for seed starting.

 

[adamziegler]

Looks like you have a handful of plants ready to move outside. Water them, move them into partial shade and see how they look for a couple hours. If they wilt bring them back in and try again the next day. Do this for a few days until you can leave them out all day.

Those cells are small, and they will dry out fast.

You could have those plants in the ground next week.

 

[deluxestogie]

Uh oh! It's finally leaked out. There is no "secret".

There are numerous approaches to growing things. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't. Each of us has had successes and failures. The most common problem encountered by new tobacco growers on this forum is overwatering. I suspect that raising fragile seedlings in an air-fryer might be a challenge, but that's just my personal discomfort. While most starting mixtures will work, each different blend of components comes with its own requirements for timing and frequency of watering, and whether or not supplemental nutrients may be required.

I've found that, once seedling have survived the first two or three weeks, there's a good chance that they'll suddenly start growing.

Bob

 

[ssummer]

I hesitate to chime in on this because of the above statement, but here goes. I would get rid of the organic seed starting mix and make my own from a mix of 2 parts perlite, 2 parts peat moss and 1 part vermiculite. These items can be purchased at any garden shop worthy of the name. Read the ingredient list and if none of these three items contain any extra nutrients, mix up some miracle grow for tomatoes with water at about 1/4 strength (1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water) and moisten the mix with it. I also add a very small amount of epsom salts to provide extra magnesium. Sow your seeds on top of the cells, keep the surface moist while the seeds are germinating. Once they are well established, water from the bottom with the weak MG solution whenever the tray starts feeling kind of light. I never let my tray completely dry out before re-watering.
I would try this first, if it still doesn't work, then you may have a PH issue with your water or some other unknown issue such as chlorinated water. It's impossible to say without testing. I wish you good luck.

The seedlings below were about 5 weeks old when the picture was taken. The above mix and methods were used.

Wow… this was very informative. Unfortunately I know I am just super late in the season already, I am going to try this a couple
More times indoors until I get it so when the 2026 season comes around I am ready to go. I will definitly
Try this method. I have a few questions
1. When sowing seeds I have humidity dome and spritz 2-3 times a day with reverse osmosis water, I also use RO water when they are newly sprouted. Should I just be using regulator tap water and is it ok to spritz multiple times a day
2. How do you measure your light, from what I have read, 200-300ppfd for 12 hours as seedlings are good. Once they get larger after a month or so then 500-600ppfd and I guess start introducing them to outdoors. Any input on this?
3. I think I have a huge watering issue. Some people say to never let the cells get dry some people say to let them
Go completely dry for days before watering again, aside from the cells feeling “light” what is another way to measure this? I do have a test cell that has no seeds in it. So ever few days I dig up the test cell to see if it’s moist. Unless it’s completely dry I don’t water it.

 

[wruk53]

1. When sowing seeds I have humidity dome and spritz 2-3 times a day with reverse osmosis water, I also use RO water when they are newly sprouted. Should I just be using regulator tap water and is it ok to spritz multiple times a day
2. How do you measure your light, from what I have read, 200-300ppfd for 12 hours as seedlings are good. Once they get larger after a month or so then 500-600ppfd and I guess start introducing them to outdoors. Any input on this?
3. I think I have a huge watering issue. Some people say to never let the cells get dry some people say to let them
Go completely dry for days before watering again, aside from the cells feeling “light” what is another way to measure this?

I don't use a humidity dome when germinating seeds, I spritz the top of the grow media several times each day with RO water until germination and after until I feel that the root development is sufficient to support above ground growth. The roots need constant moisture and air to thrive. You need a light and airy seedling mix to achieve both these things. I do not believe in purposely stressing plants by withholding water, especially when they don't already have a robust root system.
I do not measure the light output; I only take care to not burn the plants by having the light too close. I do not harden the plants before transplant. If the transplants have a robust root system when planted outdoors and are kept watered until they adjust to their new environment, they will generally do just fine. They will usually show some signs of transplant shock for a few days, but don't over worry about this, just keep them watered while they are developing the root system.
Keep in mind that I am retired and hardly ever go anywhere, so I am able to baby the seeds while they are starting. If you are unable to do this then yes, you should use a humidity dome to keep the media from drying out. What you are looking for is a happy medium, not too dry nor too moist. I can't tell you exactly how to achieve this, experience will eventually guide you.

 

[Knucklehead]

Do you plan to grow outside or in a grow tent?
Will you plant in a garden or in pots?
If your plants are still alive and you have no frost you can plant them outside now. Keep in mind the reason we start inside two months ahead of last frost is to get ahead of the weather. That is no longer a concern.

 

[ProZachJ]

Basically, keep trying till it works is the only always correct gardening advice.