Lets discuss your soil choice breifly. Many growers, including some on this thread have good luck with this soil hence the reason you chose it. I'm sure also the choice was about availability. None the less, we go with what we can. Lets look at what's in MG seed starting mix. Whats this stuff all about you decided to grow your plants in?
It does have Nutrients - none that have lasting qualities but enough to have an effect. The manufacturer claims the ratios are .05 - .01 - .05. How they apply these nutes is important. The most significant addition here is the P. Miracle grow uses chemically derived Ammonium Phosphate as the primary means to get this to the plant. When in water Ammonium Phosphate seperates - Ammonium and Phosphate. This phosphate is imedeatly available and important to root growth. The smaller amounts of Nitrogen and Potash are also important. For our discussions purposes we can put the potash on the back burner. The nitrogen is supplied through Ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrates and urea.
Neptunes Harvest 2-4-1 is a fantastic fertilizer. Lately, some controversery over their methods have surfaced but the line is effective. When fish is broken down into plant soluble food, it takes on very desirable, chelated characteristics. Interestly, it specifically breaks down into various forms of Ammonium, nitrates and more importantly the Phosphorus becomes available Ammonium Phosphate. See where I'm going?
Large amounts of Phosphorus can lead to absorption issues. Specifically Zinc, Iron, Mg and Ca. If your plants are lacking in any thing it appears like Iron. Some lower leaves in your pics resemble Mg. This is how things get confusing. Those are different ends of our acceptable pH range. Almost never, in my experiences, do we suffer from one specific defeciency. They work together typically, and are defecient together. It takes serious anilyzation to figure out how and why the plant is reacting to what your giving it.
Your issue is not serious and probably only needs more appropriate feedings. I would suggest lowering pH a little. Keep it around 6.0 to 6.5 (at the highest) if possible. I would find a nutrient that seperates the grow and bloom aspect of things - I think someone mentioned that earlier. Make the trip to the Hydro place - it's worth it. With Miracle Grow soil you've already made the choice to use chemicals for this grow - which is by no means a bad desicion. I would stick with that and find a broad based solution. Even after one proper, vegitative feeding those plants should take on the look your after. When you switch your light cycle - switch to a bloom solution. I would also flush here and there through-out this cycle to keep salt build up to a minimum.
I'm not saying my theory is correct. You could easily be suffering a little stress from the transplants maybe? I'm leaning to the P issue however. Your Nutrients are effective just not for this stage of the plants growth. Remember also, when you transplant into MG seed Starter use water only as your initial soak. Theres some food in that substrate. The nutrients you give your plant and the medium you grow are of incredible importance. Many things will work but research is required to make it all come together. Hope this helps solve some of your worries. Those plants look perfectly fine in the large scheme of things. Your on the right track. Let me know if I can provide any more info..............thanks
Jman
