Complete newbie with some questions

I'm doing a grow in my closet with an auto northern lights and have a few newb things that I would love if someone could clarify for me.

Does it matter which way up the seeds are after they have sprouted and they go into soil?

What lighting schedule should I go for so that the plants dont get too big in the closet? Even though the seeds are autoflower should I still change the lighting schedule when it comes to flowering time?

Whats a good size pot to start the seedling with? Is it a bad idea to put the seed into the 3 gallon pot I have?

When I first put the sprouted seed into the soil, how much water should I add? I read I should water it in, but how much?

Is it better to pack my soil down firm, or have it quite fluffy and light? How do I gauge this?

Thanks guys

Does it matter which way up the seeds are after they have sprouted and they go into soil?

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The seeds should fix themselves if they lay down the wrong way, but if you are planting germinated seeds than make it easy for them and point the tap root down.

What lighting schedule should I go for so that the plants dont get too big in the closet? Even though the seeds are autoflower should I still change the lighting schedule when it comes to flowering time?

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I've never done autoflowering plants, but from what I've read you'll veg with 24/0 and flower under 20/4. Experienced autoflower growers will hopefully comment.

Whats a good size pot to start the seedling with? Is it a bad idea to put the seed into the 3 gallon pot I have?

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I prefer to start in 16 ounce cups or one gallon bags and then transplant, but either method works. It can be a little harder for new growers to maintain the proper water content in soil if you have a little plant and a lot of medium.

When I first put the sprouted seed into the soil, how much water should I add? I read I should water it in, but how much?

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I prefer to water the soil before putting the seed in soil. You want to have it damp but not soaking.

Is it better to pack my soil down firm, or have it quite fluffy and light? How do I gauge this?

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Light and fluffy. You want to avoid packed soil as it makes it difficult for roots to spread, its harder for moisture to thoroughly saturate the full medium, and it restricts oxygen. When you run your hand through a good soil mix it will feel fluffy.

cheers thalboy for your reply. helped clear up a lot for me.

could an experience autoflower grower chime in and tell me some more about the lighting?

The lights I bought are 2 x 45W 2700K and 2 x 45W 6400k CFL if that makes any difference. I was hoping to veg under the 2 blue lights and then when flowering comes around add in the 2 red ones.

also what size pots should I be using for my autoflowering plants? I bought one thats around 4 gallons and im worried its too big now for my plant.

the three gallon pot is fine. since its an auto flower its going to flower when its ready. when you get buds growing i would switch the lights and the nutes

I originally thought it was 3 gallon, turns out its nearer 4.

when you say switch lights do you mean switch the schedule or take out my blue lights? I was thinking of keeping them alongside the red just for extra light during flowering.

So what schedule then guys? Keep the same one throughout the whole grow? I was hoping 18/6 would do.

thalboy pretty much said it
i like to just put my seeds in the soil and spray the soil with a mister so you dont flood them away, and they germinate and sprout with no chance of stress or root trauma. works everytime for me. and i use small plastic cups to start them out it. poke little holes in the bottom for drainage. good luck

Nice info here. Thanks for sharing this....

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