Citrus Growers Forum

Sven_limoen · Posted: Wed 03 Jul, 2013 4:39 am

2 weeks ago I planted some new seeds because last winter I killed of of the previous seedlings due to overwatering.
They all look fine (until now) except this one:

As you can see the leaves don't look young and shiny but instead dark and dull. They don't feel normal either. They feel kinda 'mushy'.

Any idea what the problem is?

_________________
growing (at least trying): C. sinensis, C. latifolia, C. limon, C. mitis

Sylvain · Posted: Wed 03 Jul, 2013 9:59 am

A seed of something else germinating in your pot?

elsedgwick · Posted: Wed 03 Jul, 2013 10:07 am

I would agree with Sylvain, particularly given the (apparent) pubescence. Wait a bit and see what it turns into.

Sven_limoen · Posted: Wed 03 Jul, 2013 10:57 am

Nope impossible. It was the same as the other seedlings a week ago.

_________________
growing (at least trying): C. sinensis, C. latifolia, C. limon, C. mitis

MarcV · Posted: Wed 03 Jul, 2013 1:30 pm

Could you post a picture of this seedling next to it's brothers and sisters so we can compare? It definitely looks odd...
Maybe it has developed fur to protect it against the cold? Laughing

_________________
- Marc

Sven_limoen · Posted: Wed 03 Jul, 2013 4:43 pm

They won't be cold! I keep them heated on a heatmat 24/7:

One of the others:

_________________
growing (at least trying): C. sinensis, C. latifolia, C. limon, C. mitis

Sven_limoen · Posted: Thu 04 Jul, 2013 1:37 pm

Another something I'm wondering: does a seedling need as many waterings as they grow? I'm asking this because it seems to me that in this young stage they seem to be taking advantage of the seed itself because they seem to be able to last without water very long :s. I literally give them a couple of waterdrops every week or so and that seems to be sufficient.

@MarcV: I actually think the 'fur' is some light reflecting on the leaves. They aren't actually that hairy Laughing

_________________
growing (at least trying): C. sinensis, C. latifolia, C. limon, C. mitis

MarcV · Posted: Thu 04 Jul, 2013 2:57 pm

Ah OK!

Maybe it is too dry... Always make sure the soil is moist... Some of the pots appear dry in the picture. A couple of drops may be enough to moisten the surface of the soil but not in depth. The seed provides the seedling with food but I'm not sure if it can provide necessary water also.

_________________
- Marc

Millet · Posted: Thu 04 Jul, 2013 3:39 pm

Couple drops of water for young seedlings is not a good practice. - It is best to water well, and only very early in the day, then place the seedlings in direct sunlight so the top of the soil quickly dries to avoid problems with phytophora . The health of new seedling greatly depends on the excellence of the container's drainage. Millet

Sven_limoen · Posted: Thu 04 Jul, 2013 4:23 pm

Millet wrote:

The health of new seedling greatly depends on the excellence of the container's drainage. Millet

Thats why I chose a citrus soil and added extra perlite to it, making it drain better. I've put them out in full sun today and at night they'll stay on the heatmat.
I'm hoping to get good results this way. I'll water them more next time.

_________________
growing (at least trying): C. sinensis, C. latifolia, C. limon, C. mitis

Sven_limoen · Posted: Sat 06 Jul, 2013 10:12 am

I put them out in the sun today since we got our very first good summers day. Watered them too. I must say they seem to dry pretty fast!
Anyone know how many times I should water them? I certainly don't want to overwater them but neither do I want to underwater them.

_________________
growing (at least trying): C. sinensis, C. latifolia, C. limon, C. mitis