First Grow, Need Some Advice

[woo2woo]

I've started my first growing session. I've have got 4 of 6 seeds to germ. I had them on a 400W MH 4 feet off the ground. they are 2.5 - 3 inches now. I've brought the light down from 4 feet to around 20 inches this morning. The reason I lowered the light is that they are starting to strech and leaning over, but not fallen. I have got some twist ties and fourmed them to keep the seedlings upright. I've had a fan that is oscillating on them the whole time on power level #1.

Am I on track? Im open to suggestions..

Ive got some pics, take a look.

Thanks in advance, Woo.

 

[sTOKEd]

They're definitely stretching "for the light".

Have you got a small fan on them? If not I'd suggest an 80mm or 120mm PC fan at this stage to help strengthen up the stems. <<Oops clearly I didn't read your post properly!

Also you'll prob want to move the light a little closer - the general rule is, if it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your plants - so keep moving the light until it's warmish to your hand but not hot - remember you'll need to move the light once, even twice a day as they grow.

I'd consider transplanting them into taller pots and burying them a little deeper and getting a fan on them asap. If you don't transplant them I'd at least fill those containers up to the top with soil to cover some of the spindly stem.

 

[woo2woo]

They're definitely stretching "for the light".

Have you got a small fan on them? If not I'd suggest an 80mm or 120mm PC fan at this stage to help strengthen up the stems. <<Oops clearly I didn't read your post properly!

Also you'll prob want to move the light a little closer - the general rule is, if it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your plants - so keep moving the light until it's warmish to your hand but not hot - remember you'll need to move the light once, even twice a day as they grow.

I'd consider transplanting them into taller pots and burying them a little deeper and getting a fan on them asap. If you don't transplant them I'd at least fill those containers up to the top with soil to cover some of the spindly stem.

Thanks for your reply, I had a 12" table fan that has been oscillating the entire time. I just moved the 400W MH from 4 feet off the ground to 20 inches off the ground. Im worried about transplanting too early they are only 8 days old.

 

[woo2woo]

Can I move the 400W MH Closer than 20 inches?? I want to get them more stocky, but I definitely dont want to burn them.

Thanks, Woo

 

[sTOKEd]

You're prob right - transplanting this early is prob not the best idea. Just top them up with more soil and move the light closer and closer until it's warm (not hot) to your hand. 20" seems about right though.

Do you have them on 24/7 or 18/6?

 

[BackyardHappyness]

This happened to my friend. it grew too high, trying to get light, but the main stalk never got enough attention to beef up. as a result it flopped over, and hes having a hard time getting it upright again

 

[woo2woo]

24 hours of light currently. I was thinking of switching to 18/6 next week. I checked the light temp at 20 inches with my hand and it's "warm" not hot. hopefully moving the lights down will help the steams "beef up".. time will tell.

Thanks, Woo

 

[BackyardHappyness]

24 hours of light currently. I was thinking of switching to 18/6 next week. I checked the light temp at 20 inches with my hand and it's "warm" not hot. hopefully moving the lights down will help the steams "beef up".. time will tell.

Thanks, Woo

O MAN. dont quote me on that! it is just what happened to my friend. my light was closer and i had a fan. im thinkin that made the stalks stronger...

IM A NOOB, i dunno

 

[sTOKEd]

just bury them as much as you can in those containers and make sure that fan is on them 24/7 - don't have your fan on the same timer as the light - you really want it on 24/7 to help thicken up the stems.

 

[BackyardHappyness]

that is what helped me, i think! my stalks are thick, but my friends were weak (no fan)

 

[woo2woo]

just bury them as much as you can in those containers and make sure that fan is on them 24/7 - don't have your fan on the same timer as the light - you really want it on 24/7 to help thicken up the stems.

Ive had the fan on the entire time. it's a 12" fan and it moves back and fourth. Im thinking the light was too far away. Ive moved the light closer to the plants (approx 18-20 inches plant to blub, using 400W MH)

Hopefully they wont have to "reach for the light" and can get thicker stalks

Thanks Woo

 

[sTOKEd]

ah you have an oscillating fan - perfect, this back and forth motion would simulate the winds of nature much more accurately than a fan that doesn't move. it would have definitely been the light too far away then - you've moved it closer now so that's all you can do.

post pics in a few days so we can see how they're doing.

 

[woo2woo]

I'll keep you posted with pics, no problem!

 

[jaydiem02]

Pics =]

Lets see these babies!

 

[mared juwan]

Listen to stoked, he's got it right. Fill those containers up with as much soil as you can but then be careful not to overwater because the buried part of the stem will rot and your plants will die. Have the fan on as high and close as it will go without blowing your seedlings over 90 degrees. Get those leaves fluttering. Do those things and keep the light where it is for awhile and you will be okay.

 

[woo2woo]

Listen to stoked, he's got it right. Fill those containers up with as much soil as you can but then be careful not to overwater because the buried part of the stem will rot and your plants will die. Have the fan on as high and close as it will go without blowing your seedlings over 90 degrees. Get those leaves fluttering. Do those things and keep the light where it is for awhile and you will be okay.

Thanks for reply, I have at the fan on level 1 and it runs ALL the time. there are 3 settings on the fan. are you suggesting moving up to level 2? My fan moves quite a bit of air even on level #1, It's a 12" desk fan.

I was going to try and hold off adding dirt, because the will need to be transplanted into larger pots which I have waiting for when they hit 7-8 inches in height. I was hoping that by bring the light down they might stop reaching for the light.

I thought I would let all of you know that I am using ProMix BX, As it has been recommended everywhere that I read.

I am sure it's a little too early for nutes. Although when they are ready I will be using the DNF. I will start with a weak solution and work my way up to what they recommend.

Can you guys see the PICS i posted? I will be posting more daily.

 

[mared juwan]

Yeah. light distance and fan strength are most important. You can hold off on the dirt. You're going to want to hold off on nutes for a while too. Remember, it's way better to be deficient than burn. Wait till you have at least 8-10 leaves. Think this size.

 

[mared juwan]

And usually label strength is too strong. Use 3/4 strength at most.

 

[sTOKEd]

I'd even opt for 1/4 strength and possibly build up to 1/2 strength and stick with that. Some people even just stick with 1/4 strength throughout the grow..

your plants will respond differently to different nutes, so start off with 1/4 strength for a few waterings, then as your plants get used to the nutes, move up to 1/3 or 1/2 strength and carefully watch for signs of nute burn.

 

[woo2woo]

Well Im back, all has been well. Plants are looking much better. I do have a slight concern, I have notices the leaves on the bottom of the plant have slight drooping and very slightly turning yellowish green. I also noticed a few stems turning purpleish/red. Im sure that my plants are looking for some nutes. I've only been giving them spring water so far.

Im looking for any suggestions/comments. Again this is my first grow and Im trying to read and learn to get a better understanding.