Green leaf, green leaf, yellow leaf!

[freddyuk]

I am surprised how different seedlings can be after first few leaves appear. I often have first two leaves nice dark green colour which are getting nutrient from seed then next leaf can be almost yellow as if it is getting no nutrient? Not all seedlings do this but quite often. All seeds from same batch.

I fertilize with a low dose of Palm Centre fertilizer dissolved in water. IE.well below reccommended dosing.

The growing conditions are identical as far as i can make it so what is it causing this feeding, light or temperature?

Thanks

[Mark Heath]

Hello Freddy,

Every now and then that happens to me as well w/ XButiagrus 3 gallon size. The XButiagrus requires alot of

Manganeese and sometimes the emerging newly opened spear looks a little pale due to the lack of it. I would guess

that it is some kind of nutient deffiency.

What kind of seedlings are you growing???

[freddyuk]

These are Arenga's. Using proprietory fertilizer i thought it would contain all the trace elements required. It should do for the price!!

[richnorm]

I find Arengas, Wallichias and Caryotas similarly tricky in pots and very slow. Once in-ground they green-up and speed-up. I also use good quality fert to no avail. Perhaps they need something in the soil life to thrive?

Do you use a heat pad? I find it can help the transition from seedling to independent plant. I use a pet bed heater which is very economical to run.

cheers Rich

[freddyuk]

Interesting comments. They are certainly slow! I do use a heat pad but never worked out if it made much difference.

They certainly don't like being planted out too soon as i tried several times.

[Davidl]

freddyuk I'm not sure where you live but if your keeping them indoors might be the problem. Also keeping the soil to soggy or cool might be it. There are lots of things that it could be, but without knowing more those are my best guesses.

[freddyuk]

I am in Southern UK and the seedlings are definitely indoors. Not in full sun but under a roof light so shaded light. I try to keep watering correct but have had fungus gnats so cut down on the watering so the surface is dry. Difficult to judge how damp it is at the bottom of a pot. Any tips??

[MattyB]

I'm gonna speculate that two things are happening.

1. That peat based mix is drying out and when you water it's not actually rewetting the soil, only going around the soil ball, down the sides of the pot and out the bottom, therefore not delivering any nutrients to the plant.

And 2. The temperature is too low to create vigorous growth and uptake of the nutrients. At this young stage these guys wanna be getting into the 80'sF (29C) on a regular basis.