Seedling question

[Cm3000]

Can someone please teach me something. My seed germinated and I put it into soil. It came about 3 inches out of the soil so I put it under light. About an hour later it was laying on its side like it was dead. I put it in the dark and it stood back up.
What is the proper process for a newly sprouted seed? Should I wait a few days to put it under light? Maybe the light is too strong for it?

most things I read kinda skip that part of the process and just say place seedling in light once it breaks soil. I appreciate the help!

 

[karlkutta]

i usually have my lights on like normal and just drop the seedling in a pot to germinate. if the plant is too heavy and tips over, just pile some dirt up around the base to hold her better.

 

[Cm3000]

So maybe is a coincidence that the plant falls over when I put it under light? It in the dark upright right now. I will add some soil around it and see if that is what’s going on.

 

[GeorgeCloney]

@Cm3000
I liked your humble request for help.
That is quite noble.
Crash course on seedlings.
Feed nothing for the first 14 days.
Bottled water is all you need.
After that , 100ppm nutes per week ( cumulative to a max of 600, by week 6.
Then adjust nutes by def'c.
Your plants will be fine in this range of nutes.

Lighting: fresh out of soil...
1 to 2 days in low light until the cotyledons ( first leaves) open.
Then, the magic...
Keep lights close and bright.
If too hot for your hand in 5 minutes...back the light off.

What you described is called stretch.
It happens because the plant is looking for light.
Light too far, you get stretch, light too close you get burn.
Use your hand to evaluate.
Solutions:
Get some wire or garbage bag ties.

Wrap a 5 inch, 15cm piece of wire around a pencil or pen.

What you want is 2 or 3 rounds, with a 3 inch 10 cm tail.

Put the wire in soil next to the seedling as support.

Wrap plant into the 3 windings, not winding wire around the plant.

Pictures are always a good thing too.

The plant. In the present pot can take 1/2 its length more soil. So plant is 2 inches...add 1 inch more soul.
Metric...
Plant is 6 to 8 cm...
Add 3 to 4 cm of soil...

Make sure you have lots of light.
Or you will get stretch.

Bright without heat is what you want.

 

[browncoat]

I am a total beginner BUT I would not feel comfortable saying it's definitely seedling stretch without some more information.

So my questions are:
How far is the light from the seedling?
What kind of light is it? (Brand, type, strength)

 

[Cm3000]

I appreciate the input! This place and the people are pretty awesome so although I was hesitant to ask this question, I’m glad I did.

The spider farm 1000 light is a good 26in or so from the seedling. I added some soil to it last night and this morning it was still upright, but the leaves have not moved at all. I’m starting to think maybe this seedling has another issue and might not make it.

 

[browncoat]

I appreciate the input! This place and the people are pretty awesome so although I was hesitant to ask this question, I’m glad I did.

The spider farm 1000 light is a good 26in or so from the seedling. I added some soil to it last night and this morning it was still upright, but the leaves have not moved at all. I’m starting to think maybe this seedling has another issue and might not make it.

According to the light specs 26in should be good for a distance. Sounds to me like your seedling did experience significant stretch before you put it under the light. Then it was just to leggy to stand upright to the sudden light. I would either back it off to 30in or dial down the intensity if you have that option, strengthen that stem up for a few days and hit it full power again. That's my advice but again I am a true beginner too.

 

[GeorgeCloney]

The plant is in shock right now and will require a week or so to adapt.
The word shock is more intimidating to you than the plant.
It will be fine.
Seedlings adapt or die.
If its a very weak seedling and dies.
It would have given you a lot of grief growing up.
In other words...10% flowers.
But you have to give it a chance.
Did I mention give it lots of light but don't burn it?.
During this period, the plant is more concerned with making roots, than growing leaves.
Let it do so.