Hello -- these seedlings are about 4 weeks old and are two that are showing some weird discoloration on their leaves as well as some bubbling and curling under.

These are grown indoors (300W IR/UV/LED Vivosun light) and I'm using 100% fresh organic seedling mix from Gardener's Supply and has done very well - the other 14 seedlings are doing well.

Is this leaf burn? It doesn't look like the kind I am seeing online, so I thought go to the experts!! (Last night I raised the light another 6" from where it had been)

Leaf color change, lots of curling at the edges


From the underside of the darker leaf


Puckering/curling of the newer leaf next to the darker leaf


Another plant is showing similar symptoms but there isn't as much color change


One of its leaves is changing color -- lighter green and it looks like it has spots on it


Tagging @DraDiana in case she has any suggestions for this newbie

I'm no expert, but the curling of the new leaf makes me wonder about a plant virus...

Oh no!!!!! I thought it might be the light (too close) or maybe fertilizing too much (though I'm doing 1/2 strength).

These are all still indoors...

Someone on another forum mentioned pH....I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it.

@GenXNEGeorgia
My friend who used to run a wholesale nursery says to use only 1/4 strength fertilizer, or no fertilizer if the potting mix is pre-fertilized (like Miracle Gro). She says it looks like fertilizer burn.

I stopped fertilizing last week, pinched off the affected leaves and things look much better! I used 1/2 strength the first two times, so I will reduce even more. I also read Hibiscus don't like a lot of nitrogen, so I will try to find something a formula that's better suited to them.

I will breathe a sigh of release and stop worrying for now. The 16 babies are still doing well -- some are 5" tall with strong stems!

(Now if I could figure out why my basil isn't germinating..... )

Basil needs heat.

(again) I thought I might be cooking the seeds but maybe they like it so I'll go plug the germination mat back in

They seem to be doing much better, @DraDiana -- thanks so much for checking with your friend!!!

They look very good. I see some with "oakleaf" shaped leaves and the one on the farthest right in the upper picture looks like it has dark leaves like Starry Starry Night. Which cross is that one?

I think the one you're referring to is Mocha Moon x Midnight Marvel but the darkness is probably me trying to photograph the plants with the light on and then doing a bad job with the color correction

The 'oak leafed' ones tend to be Mocha Moon x Starry Starry Night

Jackie, your Hibiscus are looking very well. Bet you are proud and glad for you.

Thanks so much, James! This is my first time growing hibiscus (or anything successfully, really ) so I'm pretty thrilled. I hope they all stay healthy and bloom this year -- that would really be something else....

Jackie, I have grown them several times. At first it was just to add to collection. Then i had so many I grew them to give to family members. Enjoyed doing it. Will be starting a few again by request of a new Daughter in law. And do it with pleasure. I hope yours continue to progress well.

Thank you very much, James. I was fortunate that someone who crossed their hibiscuses shared a lo of seeds with me. I had surprising success germinating the seeds and they seem to be doing quite well. (I can't even get basil to germinate -- how backwards!)

If they all survive the next few months, I was considering gifting a couple as well.