Dying Transplanted Black Mangrove Seedlings

[manggangforever]

Hello Everyone,

I made an account here because I was so impressed by your expertise! I would love to have any advice you can give on this matter. I am growing black mangrove seedlings in a lab setting (Temperature-controlled room, grow lights, etc). I transplanted the seedlings from the field into the lab into one-gallon pots with different substrates (some sand with fertilizer, sand, a mix of sand and commercial potting soil, and just potting soil). I have different treatments per seedling for watering as well. Some are placed in dishes that are maintained at 32 ounces, while others are kept in 64 ounces of water. Since transplanting them one week ago, they have yellowed rapidly and had their leaves turn brown/shrivel. I think that they are shocked by the transplant process. Is there a way to revive them? Am I overwatering? Any advice is so appreciated! The photos are one seedling a week apart.

Best, Manggangforever

 

[CoralB]

I had these seedlings and they flourished putting them in a hang on the back filter attached to sponge material with roots under water . They like the nutrients in the tank . Nitrates etc . Only issue I had was when the grew higher than my lights which they started to turn brown anywhere the light wasn’t hitting them .the root system grew through out the sponge .its been many years and I wish I could give you advice on how to bring them back or fix your situation. Maybe try immersing a few of them with water up to the top of their containers poking holes on the bottom and circulating a pump with fertilized water .

 

[Sean Clark]

I don't think that it is possible to over water a mangrove. I would suspect a light deficiency based on the time frame of one week for the yellowing. You need more par or a longer photo period.

 

[manggangforever]

I had these seedlings and they flourished putting them in a hang on the back filter attached to sponge material with roots under water . They like the nutrients in the tank . Nitrates etc . Only issue I had was when the grew higher than my lights which they started to turn brown anywhere the light wasn’t hitting them .the root system grew through out the sponge .its been many years and I wish I could give you advice on how to bring them back or fix your situation. Maybe try immersing a few of them with water up to the top of their containers poking holes on the bottom and circulating a pump with fertilized water .

Hi CoralB,

Thanks for the advice! I think that I will try to up the circulation within the pots. I do wonder if they are having issues here due to root damage as well.

 

[manggangforever]

I don't think that it is possible to over water a mangrove. I would suspect a light deficiency based on the time frame of one week for the yellowing. You need more par or a longer photo period.

Hi Sean,

I will look into the light deficiency note. I have a grow light from Amazon with a claimed par value of 1200 (at the center of the light). This is very high - could that be an issue? Thanks again for your help!

 

[Sean Clark]

Hi Sean,

I will look into the light deficiency note. I have a grow light from Amazon with a claimed par value of 1200 (at the center of the light). This is very high - could that be an issue? Thanks again for your help!

That would depend on the distance of the light from the leaves; but it should be appropriate. Are you giving them 8-12 hours of light? Yellowing and browing tips has always been due to low lighting for me.

 

[manggangforever]

That would depend on the distance of the light from the leaves; but it should be appropriate. Are you giving them 8-12 hours of light? Yellowing and browing tips has always been due to low lighting for me.

I am giving them a pretty long light period (~14 hours) to mimic summer conditions. I will try to adjust the distance of my light to get them a bit closer! I will keep you updated, thanks again!