Hey Nexus,

I started growing some plants and succulents from seed almost a month ago. Among what was planted were: Syrian Rue, Amazonian Mint, Opium Lettuce, A load of various Trichocerues and Lophophora and some fruits

Everything seems to be going well, as my first time ever caring for plants I am finding it surprisingly easier than I thought and super rewarding! I have tried various methods for starting my seeds some in pots outside in half sun to full, some in propagator sitting under full shade and some in pots which I then placed in a 80 qt storage tub filled 1/3 with water constantly bottom watering.

From the first photo I have attached is from the 22/02 - 11 days ago. all the rue seedlings on the right in jiffy cups have fallen over and look like they might be dying (You can see this in the very last picture) wondering what I can do to save them? take them out of the propagator? transplant?

In the 1st, 2nd and 3rd picture you will also see some syrian rue on the very left and very right columns some look healthy and firm but i can see they are also starting to fall over and loose their stability like the ones in the jiffy cup, I am wondering whether or not to keep them in the propagator or take them out and transplant them? In the middle of these syrian rue columns you have amazonian mint and opium lettuce which seem to be doing great? they are a lot bigger and firmer that the rue more healthy looking in general! These are all grown in seedling mix.

In the 4th and 5th photo you see syrian rue planted in pot which is then placed in a storage container filled with some water for bottom watering. These seem to be doing the best! I don't know why? there down the side of my house which doesn't get much sunlight but a fe hours at least. Im not sure if the pictures do them justice but there quite big compared to the ones in the propagator and are a lot more firmer healthier looking and have sets of true leaves! These are growing in some propagating sand mixed with perlite and probably some vermiculite as well.

The next photo is actually a different pot which is left out in the sun, I occasionally give it some bottom watering... doing probably the worst out of the propagator and storage tub.

And just for kicks, some of my psycho0 x Super Pedro seedlings sprouting about 3 wks old

I also have seeds going in regular potting mix but these seem to be doing the worst in terms of germination rate and plants are probably barley surviving.

I am practically looking for any advice or help possible as this is my first time growing anything I am not sure what I am doing.

Just wanting to know if im on the right path, if I need to transplant the seedlings now or any time soon? Any chance at saving those rue seedlings in the propagator and any information which may help me along the way in caring and cultivating for these plants.

I appreciate everyone who took the time to read this and can offer any of their thoughts and advice to my journey.

Much Love,
Tupo

Hi Tupo,

Syrian rue often goes through that delicate period when the seedlings droop and seem about to die, but also often when that happens they will recover and perk back up after a few days. That said, you can increase the odds of recovery by gently gathering a little of soil around the base of the stem, helping them to stand so the leaves do not touch the moist substrate and keep facing the light source.

I'm not sure about why that happens exactly, but the way I see it, it has to do with the type of soil, the watering and initial root development. Peat pellets or thick compost make it harder for the roots to develop initially, and since the roots take more energy to spread in a compact, wet medium, it's like the "growing energy" is channeled upwards where the plant finds no resistance. Then the stem grows longer than the roots are able to hold at that moment and the seedling falls over. If the root development happens on time to compensate that, the seedling will perk up and recover well.

As you have seen, substrates with more air flow (with good proportions of perlite, vermiculite, grit, coarse sand, coconut fiber, etc.) allow the roots to grow more easily, establishing the seedling better. The stem is less elongated and the first true pair of leaves appears earlier. Also, the chances of root rot are much lower and rues appreciate that, since root rot is probably the biggest vulnerability they have when they start growing.

I would advise against transplanting them. Baby rues are very sensitive and most likely they would not recover after such an early transplanting. Don't overwater the drooping rues, support them with light soil (you can use some perlite instead of more peat or compost) and most of them should recover past this stage just fine.

Thanks a lot Vodsel, That is really helpful and has eased some of my worries, Some great information and advice and few more things for me to read up .

A few I pushed at the base with some soil to get them standing up again, hopefully all goes well. All in all I'm pretty happy with my progress so far and am happy with the ones going in the sandy mix they look great up close.

Since the ones in the jiffy cup are not doing so well, I was thinking of digging a little hole in my one of my garden beds or a pot and sitting it in their to see how it goes. Majority have fallen over anyway and hopefully they will re sprout in the bed/pot.

Do you think this is a bad idea? I'm not sure if it is still considered transplanting or if it would affect the plants? I read the jiffy cup will just break down in the soil anyway not affecting it, let me know what you think, ill be sure to update if needed, and thanks again!

I forgot to ask if you think the ones in pots are overcrowded and would ever have to be separated or transplanted?

Tupo

No, you can try that. You don't have much to lose. Try to support them a little as well and make sure the soil is as spongy as possible for air flow.



Once established, rues will grow either direction when searching for light so they don't compete much with each other. Roots, in the other hand, can get a little entangled and if you have two close seedlings one of them will grow better than the other. In my experience, two or three inches of separation is enough for the first months at least... you can wait to see how they are doing, and if once established one of them appears stunted you can just cut it at the base.

Amazing Vodsel, Thank you so much again, It is very appreciated!

Much love,
Tupo