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I recently planted some sunflower seedlings and they have been doing fairly well. The only problem I had noticed was that the tips of the leaves were slightly burnt, but even then, the burns weren't spreading and the plants seemed to be doing fine. In the past couple of days, however; the stem of one of the seedlings became shriveled mid way up the stem. The strange part is that the base of the stem is fine, and the top of the stem too is fine.

I have no idea what is wrong with it. My only guess is that the soil is too basic.

the stem

the whole plant

Update:

I had been careful not to destrub the stem for a while, and I have it less sun and somehow it has survived and is now nearly completely healed! Healed Stem Thank you all for you helpful advice!

Morella Almånd
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2 Answers2

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Most likely sun scorch on the leaf tips, because they may not be used to all the sun light if you do not. As for the stem, it is a fungal dry rot. The soil is too wet and it looks like there is mold growing around it.

Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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Ljk2000
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It could be damping off disease (e.g. from pythium) or cutworm damage. I've seen tomatoes damaged like that. It kind of looks chewed.

A lot of people think they're harmless, but I also tend to think pill bugs may do that sort of thing, too (in the morning).

Mice, rats, and such are another possibility, but I don't know.

If it's indoors, it's probably damping off or something else altogether, though.

Brōtsyorfuzthrāx
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