Hello all,
A week ago I started some lettuce, I did it in ziplock bags as that has always worked well for me. Once it sprouted, I transplanted it into my Grodan starter cubes, they were presoake in 1/4 strength 5.5 pH balanced water per the Grodan specialist.
I then placed the cubes in a mini greenhouse (aka a clear plastic contained that traps humidity) to allow the seedlings to root in some, etc. I have no watered them, the Grodan cubes are not dry. They get about 6 hours of natural sunlight a day. One is looking good the other one is not, it looks grim and is browning and wilting a little. The other never sprouted leaves, just turned brown and wilted.
I have some pics below. Does anybody know what might cause this? Thank you....
Lettuce Container
https://s4.postimage.org/xkypffixe/lettucecont.jpg
Overview of Plants
https://s1.postimage.org/9y8azzas5/plantoverview.jpg
Healthy Plant?
https://s1.postimage.org/9y8fylc9h/healthyplant.jpg
Not healthy plant?
https://s1.postimage.org/9y8o8a2qd/dyingplant.jpg
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Hehe, but... the seeds I used were all lettuce seeds and I was working in a clean environment, I can't imagine it'd be anything else. It is a unusual leafy central american lettuce, it may be different from what you are used to....
Or maybe somehow something else got mixed into my seed pack?
Also, you suggest I lift the dome? I have the dome because I was told it was good for the humidity... but would I be okay if I lift it then?
Or maybe somehow something else got mixed into my seed pack?
Also, you suggest I lift the dome? I have the dome because I was told it was good for the humidity... but would I be okay if I lift it then?
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- rainbowgardener
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DDF is right, those bi-lobed cotyledons are quite distinctive for brassicas -- could be broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, they all look pretty identical at that stage. Baby lettuce has single lobed cotyledons (seed leaves) like this:
https://kelbycarr.com/sustainable-kitchen-project/
It isn't as uncommon as you would think to get mislabelled seeds, even from reputable companies. The thyme I planted last year all turned out to be some kind of mint. I was quite disappointed.
Then this year my lavender was mostly lavender but one of them was some kind of weed that looked similar in the beginning but had a much more branching form and no lavender smell.
https://kelbycarr.com/sustainable-kitchen-project/
It isn't as uncommon as you would think to get mislabelled seeds, even from reputable companies. The thyme I planted last year all turned out to be some kind of mint. I was quite disappointed.
Then this year my lavender was mostly lavender but one of them was some kind of weed that looked similar in the beginning but had a much more branching form and no lavender smell.
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Thanks for the info! I went ahead and planted some more lettuce seeds, maybe just that one was a fluke.
They got very leggy so I am guessing they were planted too deep.
I dropped the dome, added water + nutrients and the new ones I have outside of a dome and planted on the surface of grodan cubes. From what I hear lettuce does fine on surface and isn't a big fan of beeing deep.
They got very leggy so I am guessing they were planted too deep.
I dropped the dome, added water + nutrients and the new ones I have outside of a dome and planted on the surface of grodan cubes. From what I hear lettuce does fine on surface and isn't a big fan of beeing deep.
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hydrolifeCA,
First, please call me Eric.
I would go for something like this. Hang them from chains so you can raise as the plants grow taller. https://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1340683&cp=2568443.2568448.2632298.2632302.1259174
They need to start just a few inches above the soil when starting.
I believe it was hendi_alex that said compact fluorescents ( CFL) would work for about 1 square foot per light. If you are good at wiring then several of these screwed to a board would work. https://www.1st-product.com/products/624/Porcelain-Lamp-Holder-303687.html
Save some money and buy used, if available
Eric
First, please call me Eric.

I would go for something like this. Hang them from chains so you can raise as the plants grow taller. https://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1340683&cp=2568443.2568448.2632298.2632302.1259174
They need to start just a few inches above the soil when starting.
I believe it was hendi_alex that said compact fluorescents ( CFL) would work for about 1 square foot per light. If you are good at wiring then several of these screwed to a board would work. https://www.1st-product.com/products/624/Porcelain-Lamp-Holder-303687.html
Save some money and buy used, if available
Eric
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Yes, I use ones like this
https://electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-38-shop-lights.aspx
that come with hanging chains. You can buy them at any hardware or big box store cheap. They work fine, just as Eric said be sure they are just a few inches above the soil, hung so you can raise them as the plants grow.
If you browse around this section you will find pictures of people's seed starting set ups. Once you have some lights, you might decide to plant a few more seeds!
https://electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-38-shop-lights.aspx
that come with hanging chains. You can buy them at any hardware or big box store cheap. They work fine, just as Eric said be sure they are just a few inches above the soil, hung so you can raise them as the plants grow.
If you browse around this section you will find pictures of people's seed starting set ups. Once you have some lights, you might decide to plant a few more seeds!
