It could be, but then why that one and not the others? The seeds look like they did ok, its the roots that are complaining. New soil could always help though... its worth a try.
Yep, I’m either gonna try and nurse it until May and put it outside in the ground, or if it keeps deteriorating it’s getting the habeas yankus!
Maybe check for stem rot. Sometimes stem rot isn't completely destructive, and the plant continues on, but could be crippled. Stem rot ruins essential nutrient flows in the stem, but if it doesn't completely "ring" the stem, the plant can survive. I had a couple plants in veg recently that did this – they just weren't doing very well. I ended up cloning the tops and chopping them. Here's one of those clones, pic from a couple weeks ago, Grape Ape in 7 gal....
Yes, it is very common for insects to go to the weakest plant in a grouping of otherwise healthy plants. I have read that these weaker plants do not produce the same enzymes or hormones and insects and it is believed that the insects can key in on the difference. And it is often mentioned that healthy plants have a natural resistance to problem insects.
Either remove and compost it or move it away from the others and try to save it. On occasion I have noticed that I will see possible problem causes only after I have taken a plant away from the group. While the plant is part of the group it is as if looking at all of them together is enough to keep me from being able to concentrate on what is really different about a slow growing or off color plant or otherwise problem plant.
