Leaves, top stem dead... but there is still LIFE! Can I save it?

First off... Thank you for all yoru feedback and support. This forum has not only helped me, it's enabled me to help others who are just starting!

Question: Can I cut off the first growth of a seedling including its first 6 leafs and the plant grow more leaves?

Plant is a young plant that grew the first six leaves and got about 2 inches tall.

The first leaves and top part of stem (right bellow leaves) is dried and brittle... i'm almost positive its all dead now. But there is life in the lower part of the stem. After really screwing up at the beginning, I've taken control of the growth of my plants better from reading and getting feedback on this forum (appropriate light, water, etc). I've given the leaves and dead-looking stem over three days to rebound but it hasn't happened.

However, it seems the stem, below the top leaves and parts that are dried and dead, has actually got life in it! It's went from being all purple to looking nice and green till it gets near the top where the stem is dark and hard.


So I am wondering if I can cut just below the dead stem and flowers and have the plant grow again.

Is there another suggestion?

no, sorry man, i think shes gone. cutting off the leaves is a bit of a shock when the plants older, just imagine what it will do to a seedling. since shes only a seedling, germinate another seed while you see if she is in fact dead, its better than waiting another 2-3 days extra just to see if shes really dead when you could have been germinating that whole time

If she's not dead what would be the earliest and best sign of that?

Like I said, there is life in the lower stem which must mean the roots are alive. but the first leaves are toast.

I'd give it a shot, who knows maybe it would recover tho set it back awhile as long as it still has a set of leaves, wouldn't hurt to try. Meantime germ a new seed. be surprised at what a plant is capable of doing.

If it works you could probably grow a new one faster...

Coho said:

If it works you could probably grow a new one faster...

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DeeTee said:

I'd give it a shot, who knows maybe it would recover tho set it back awhile as long as it still has a set of leaves, wouldn't hurt to try. Meantime germ a new seed. be surprised at what a plant is capable of doing.

Click to expand...

Are you two referring to cutting it as I had asked or to just leaving it alone and continuing to see what happens?

If she's not dead what would be the earliest and best sign of that?


Like I said, there is life in the lower stem which must mean the roots are alive. but the first leaves are toast.

I'm saying if there's some good leaves at the bottom, cut the dead top and give it a try.