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Growing from Seed

Newly transplanted seedlings have crispy leaves

14 years ago

Last weekend, I transplanted my pinto bean seedlings outside after the obligatory hardening off period. I put them in a large, shallow container with a tomato cage for support. They are now outside; they get sun all-day, but the most direct sun they get is in the afternoon.

On Thursday morning, I gave them a weak dose of fertilizer. That day ended up being pretty warm (75 deg), followed by a night of heavy winds.

Friday, the seedlings were all looking crispy around the edges, and droopy. Thinking the wind dried them out (the soil was *pretty* dry a finger deep), I watered them. Today they are looking the same. Still standing tall, but the leaves are crispy around the edges.

Could this be caused by the sun? heat? wind? fertilizer? too much water? not enough water? ha

This is my first time growing beans of any kind. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Comments (5)

oilpainter
14 years ago
Probably too much sun too soon. Maybe they were not hardened enough to withstand so much hot sun so soon after they were set out. In addition a shallow container might not be the way to go. The soil will have a tendancy to dry out too easily. Can you put them in a deeper container?

If they are standing up I wouldn't worry too much about the plants not making it. Try to shade them a bit in the hottest part of the day and if you can't put them in a larger container water often. Maybe clothespin a piece of cloth to the cage for shade.
desertdigger
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks so much for the info! I have moved them to a dappled shade area to see if they perk up. I will get a deeper container for them as soon as I can. *fingers crossed* I hope they do OK.
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booberry...thanks...I called my local nursery and they thought that it was due to salt content as I used year-old potting soil which I kinda suspected...if soil sits too long it can build up salts...she recommended that I wait until the plants are kinda dry and then flush them with water until it runs out the bottom... If it gets worse she said to transplant again with new soil...
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Sorry to hear about the losses but IME seedlings don't turn "crispy" by just forgetting to water one day. They may wilt, sure, but then perk back up once watered assuming that it hasn't been many days without watering. The crispy leaves would indicate to me that something else was seriously wrong. Crispy leaves usually indicates to me over heating in some form - excess sun exposure, high ambient air temps. excess heat from supplemental lights, etc. combined with not enough water and very dry air. In other words the moisture in the leaves has to evaporate for them to turn crispy. That can happen very quickly with root bound plants that have little to no air circulation. Any possibility of other factors? Dave
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Hi! :-) I have had a lot of success with Mater Magic organic fertilizer. I never have any blossom end drop or leaf issues. I water when the first 3 inches of top soil are dry. Also, thuricide for caterpillar control. Both are OMRI approved organic. Here are some pics of my early girl three and a half weeks ago when I planted and a recent picture. If you have questions, ask away! I've been through just about everything under the sun when it comes to tomato plants! Good luck :-) Day 1 Day 18
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keriann_lakegeneva
14 years ago
How did you apply the fertilizer? Was it a liquid mixture or dry?

And were thet droopy during the hot afternoon sun or in the cooler evening?

Keriann~
armymomma
14 years ago
My guess would be the wind. this happened to a few of my tomato seedlings when I put them outside. The wind was whipping the poor leaves so much, it dried them right out.
desertdigger
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for your info.

The fertilizer was a liquid diluted to 50%. I noticed the droopiness in the late afternoon/early evening the day after the heat & crazy winds.

They are still looking OK (standing up at least, and not getting worse from what I can tell).... but I assume the crispified leaves will not get any better.

I'll just baby them and hope for the best!

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