JBP seedling issue can you help identify the problem?

[RoadManDenDron]

2 of my JBP seedlings started earlier this year are looking unusual and not in a good way,

any help identifying and understanding what happened will be greatly appreciated!

these have been separated from the others for quarantine purposes for now, will proceed after advice on here but my guess is to kill it with fire ?

 

[Shibui]

I can see very fine webbing on one. Might just be a spider but I always check for mites if I see browning foliage and webbing.
If they are on a couple there will probably already be more on other plants.

 

[JeffS73]

There will be or was a caterpillar in there. Try teasing the needles apart and see if he's still home. You have young proper needles there, so all is not lost there yet.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

@JeffS73 sure enough I seen a lil caterpillar poking his head out this morning!

How would you advise handling these? Is simply removing the caterpillar enough?

 

[cmeg1]

@JeffS73 sure enough I seen a lil caterpillar poking his head out this morning!

How would you advise handling these? Is simply removing the caterpillar enough?

Yes they can do some damage quickly……pretty much halt shoot extension for months if not a season on seedlings this small.

Looks to be some mineral deficiency too.
Can be frustrating when just starting the process of growing these from seeds.

I will have some for sale in a few weeks if you would like to keep everything ramped for this season……and practice…..I can share some tips
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[RoadManDenDron]

@cmeg1 I enjoy following your threads on here and if i were on the right side of the pond would definitely have purchased from you already!

I am grateful to be learning more than frustrated because I am very new at this!

mineral deficiencies for sure this is the most free draining soil i have used so far still figuring out how much to feed, originally hoped to get some organic pellets in there but I
I read about affecting drainage so have been using liquids, I'm aware not enough but still learning.

I was planning to give these a winter and hope for a growth spurt next spring but not sure what temps small seedlings can take, do you winter under lights much like how you start seedlings too?

Always been interested in hydro, very impressed with your results!

 

[JeffS73]

@JeffS73 sure enough I seen a lil caterpillar poking his head out this morning!

How would you advise handling these? Is simply removing the caterpillar enough?

Yes, remove caterpillars! These ones seem to eat young needles, not buds. I would use tweezers to take off the dead stuff/caterpillar home. Don't take the bud off though. They should be fine outdoors. My first JBP were grown in garden mud and survived snow and frozen soil. They were just a bit slower. For example, my 2020 seedlings are now fatter and some are taller than my 2018 ones. Culture matters, buy my 2018 ones are still pretty cool!

 

[RoadManDenDron]

Thank you for your help, so far I assume it is dealt with and will be interesting to see how the damage affects these 2 as they grow, no signs of any spread to the rest of the group of either caterpillars or webs

when I posted this I had only noticed 1 jbp with anything like a bud right at the top, now I am noticing a few more, but also seeing some purple coming in juvenile 'needles' and we are getting colder nights, still way off freezing but say 7-10 c (44-50f) at night.

Should I (A) lay off fertilising or (B) keep it up til later in the year or (C) right through winter?

 

[RoadManDenDron]

When clearing weeds one had taken over the pot so much I either had to leave it or repot,

Since I have a good few jbp anyway I opted to repot, knowing it may be risky.

This is my only seedling cutting I have seen the roots on so far, posting here since its not worth starting a new thread over.

 

[cmeg1]

@cmeg1 I enjoy following your threads on here and if i were on the right side of the pond would definitely have purchased from you already!

I am grateful to be learning more than frustrated because I am very new at this!

mineral deficiencies for sure this is the most free draining soil i have used so far still figuring out how much to feed, originally hoped to get some organic pellets in there but I
I read about affecting drainage so have been using liquids, I'm aware not enough but still learning.

I was planning to give these a winter and hope for a growth spurt next spring but not sure what temps small seedlings can take, do you winter under lights much like how you start seedlings too?

Always been interested in hydro, very impressed with your results!

Thank you very much!
Overwintering is fine as long as they experience autumn sunshine till it starts freezing and they have a proper dormancy preperation outdoors.

If they are started indoors and dormant season approaches with no outdoor prep from at least late Summer to late Autumn they will definately need protection above freezing.

That case a fridge is best…..as long as below 36f in total dark ess will be ok.