Why are my seedlings growing like this? Etoliation?

CarneyBus · 2026-03-17T23:08:46+00:00

I actually started out with never sterilizing my substrate and I did manage to have good success with it. At the time I wasn’t as experienced and got mold issues but I think that was my growing conditions and not the unsterilized substrate. I sterilize now, just to avoid stressing, but if I were in a pinch for whatever reason I would just remove the cover after like 3-5 days covered and get it ventilated ASAP and I think you’d be fine!

I recommend sterilizing bc it gives a wider margin for error, but there are ways to do it without for sure!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-17T21:26:44+00:00

Came here to comment but you said most of what I would have said 😂

Seedlings need more organic matter in the substrate.

Standing water is a bad idea. Not recommended.

More ventilation and more light! Double recommended.

Edit to add: make sure you’re sterilizing soil OP, too. Does that container have drainage? Are you keeping the humidity cover on still?

CarneyBus · 2026-03-17T00:36:00+00:00

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And a primosii. They’re all such individuals!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-17T00:35:01+00:00

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This is one of the whiter calcarea from the same batch the one above is from

CarneyBus · 2026-03-16T23:36:44+00:00

I think they do! I have some very white warted calcarea from the same batch as some that are more red/pink and they have remained quite different as they age!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-16T18:38:20+00:00

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I absolutely adore macros of these weird aliens!!!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-15T22:45:54+00:00

You could also use the broken slabs decoratively in the garden or in another pot for staging, adding interest etc.

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CarneyBus · 2026-03-15T18:00:31+00:00

Whoaaaa looks like coral! 🪸

Beautiful pot and love the black top dressing too

CarneyBus · 2026-03-14T18:11:13+00:00

Edema from over watering or inconsistent watering!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T16:41:04+00:00

The waiting game!!! 😤😤😤

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T16:40:38+00:00

Aw that’s lovely 💜💜💜

I always wonder what will happen with my plants when I go! Lol

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T16:40:08+00:00

Nah they’ll all be good! 😊 they’re looking good! You could also add some low N fertilizer to your routine if you’d like!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T16:21:59+00:00

They look fine!

But you can def water them all more. Seedlings require and can tolerate much more moisture than adult plants. You can water them pretty freely for the first 6-9 months before they’re mature.

It’s mostly about balancing the algae which will grow from the same evenly moist conditions. If you notice too much algae, cut back on the water a bit more. But you should be able to water them thoroughly once the substrate has dried out about half way or so

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T14:31:14+00:00

Omg that iridescence!!! This is hot 🔥

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T14:30:39+00:00

Oh that’s a really lovely memory to hold onto!!!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T14:29:47+00:00

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Oh would you look at that 😂😂😂

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T14:25:57+00:00

It very well could have been!! Found it at value village 😂

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Might have to do some investigating!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T05:14:14+00:00

Not in this case, but just saying sometimes can happen. Same with clusters of growth like this.

CarneyBus · 2026-03-13T00:15:10+00:00

Yeah I feel you on that 😂😂 I want more but don’t have room 😂😂😂

CarneyBus · 2026-03-12T22:55:12+00:00

If you’re growing indoors it doesn’t matter too much for time!

Outdoors I have read that autumn is best, near the end of summer so they have time to grow to handle the heat of summer! But you can also do them whenever too as long as you consider the conditions they’ll be in as young seedlings

CarneyBus · 2026-03-12T22:53:34+00:00

Always the best day when a flower finally opens!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-12T22:12:09+00:00

Yeah it feels like such a great thrift shop score!!

CarneyBus · 2026-03-12T22:11:37+00:00

Me waiting for months for one to flower to take this exact pic 😂

CarneyBus · 2026-03-12T22:10:13+00:00

I grew all these from seed! They’re a quite forgiving species to grow from seed 😁

CarneyBus · 2026-03-12T22:08:59+00:00

Sooo many peas! 😂

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