First grow..share the knowledge with shady.

As the title says this is my first grow. Have always enjoyed the Green and definitely a hobby type of guy, so I said what the hell. I got a few bagseeds and did some research on the various blogs/YouTube such as this one. I started off with 5 plants. Which I only expected to keep the best 2, mostly because this is only for a hobby and personal use. I don't intend on being in high times or Growing the dopest shit lol. I just want to see if I can grow a nice healthy plant and have fun watching it grow. So any tips or advice would be welcomed. Even any negative feedback is welcomed.
Thanks
Shady


So I my plants as of today April 1, are a week and 2 days from sprouting. I germinated them in purified water until the Root popped out, it was about a day. I planted them in a biodegradable pot with miracle grow. I didn't know about the negative opinions about miracle grow until after I planted them. Anyway, I kept the soil moist until it sprouted, so about once a day if that. Once they came up I choose two healthy looking ones and put them under three 23 watt (100watt equivalent) CFLs. Inside a box lined with aluminum foil. Also did not know about the negative opinions on this either. They were in the box with a 18/6 light schedule for 5 days and then I switched the box out.

They are now in a 4×3 grow box lined with mylar windshield reflectors. I have 4 23 watt ( 100watt equivalent). And 2 13 watt (60 watt equivalent) BOTH ARE CFLs.
They are still in miracle grow and I have already moved them into bigger pots. Same 18/6 light cycle, and I have added a fan that runs during light hours.

Tell me what you think guys and girls, sorry for the long read. I'll keep posting updates weekely with pics.

Blue pot is my most hopeful, the Green is my ringer

Looks good for a start my friend. The only thing I'd say is ditch the MG next time but it's not that big of a deal for your first grow. Mylar blankets are really cheap if you need some type of reflective material for the inside of your box

yeah I plan on going with the fox farm ocean stuff I see people talk about on here. But thanks bud I'll keep posting updates

I watered both about 3 days ago and it's still moist. Is that normal? Plan on letting it dry out a little more and then give it more. It's not soaked but it's moist.

Shadymercs said:

I watered both about 3 days ago and it's still moist. Is that normal? Plan on letting it dry out a little more and then give it more. It's not soaked but it's moist.

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Sure. You are right to let the soil tell you when it needs more water not the # of days.

the cfls. should be the daylight 5000k blue spectrum. those look like the soft white .. yes dont overwater the lil guys . and keep them fairly close to the bulbs., you will lose a lot of lumens transplant asap into some other media., ph your water.5.5 to 6.5. and your be set. for your first grow. also home depot have these emergency blankets for like 2 bucks . and it covers a large area. instead of mylar and get the Y lamp connectors at H.D. for like 3 bucks set of 4 32 watt daylight bulbs for around 10 bucks

Thank you everyone for the feedback. I'm going to tinker and change a few things and see how they turn out. If things go good I'll invest a little more money into premium supplies and seeds. For now this is kind of a trial and error process for me. But thanks for the advice. It's not taken for granted!
Shady

Also a few days ago when I was switching them to their new box . They fell over like they were top-heavy. Is this normal? I don't think they're stretched but I'm not so experienced what are your opinions? I have them supported with sticks and a string

You are fine. I see you are on a budget, so you are prob using tap water. If so please fill up a gallon, let it sit out atleast 24 hours. Collect rain water if you can as well it's really nice and free.

And yeah I agree with dont run in MG if possible. Some people do and are ok, but most say it's too hot (high in nutes) and can hurt seendlings.I can tell in your picture there it's got nute burn. Those discolors on the very ends of the tips that yellow. Thats your plant saying too hot.

If you stick the tip of your finger in the soil about an inch pull it out, if its wet your fine dont worry. If it's dry water (Like checking oil ). You will also learn to be able to pick the plant up feel its before and after weights and judge from there. Over watering is a first time growers issue (Besides being a worrying mother).

Don't take them outside ever. Out side is your enemy! And leave them a lone. After you get it dialed in, check them maybe 1 time a day, but leave them a lone for the most part. Every time you open up the tent you are inviting pests to come in, and having escaping light.

Also your lights how close are they? They look like they are a bit far away hard to really tell. If you can keep them as close as possible , maybe an idea, have one over head right above it, and then one on each side a little bit lower. But the closer with CFL the better.

Also not sure what you mean they feel over, got a picture?

I buy spring water from the store. Is that a good choice?
I've never had them outside just in the box, but I wouldn't have known to never take them out so thank you. I had to move the lights to take a good pic. I keep them 2 inches above the longest leaf. And it fell over like it was top heavy. I think I'm just going to go this run with the MG and if it doesn't go good I'll change next time. Or would I be able to buy new soil and transplant it in that without problems?

If it's a photo plant (This means it will only start to follow when you switch the light to 12 hours on and 12 hours off). If it's an autflower(This plant will start to make bud even if the lights are left on 24 hours a day.) you can not do it. Atleast I would not recommend it.

You are already in there with MG I stick with it for now see what happens. But just wanted you to be aware of your plants tips and that they are burnt and that is from the MG. Just something to keep in mind for next time.

If you are buying water go with distilled water. Or if you can find RO water (Reverse Osmosis) Some times the machines you put a gallon into and fill it up are RO water if you read them. Read the lables too theres a few brand out there that do it. Spring water is ok, but I suggest those because if you are buying it they should be about the same price and be better for you.

As for it falling over it shouldn't do that =/ You have a fan in there? Also if you can take a picture of that might be able to get a better idea.

I would take a picture but I would have to take the support off and I'm afraid that it will bend over again and DP damage. Best way I can explain it is once it started getting the second set of leaves it bent near the bottom of the stem and I had to prop it up to stay straight. And I just added a fan a few days ago. I keep it on during my light hours.

Ah ok. Make sure it's not over watered either that can cause it to do that (same with no water). And yeah good to have that fan, dont blow direct on it.

Started a grow journal. Figured it would be a more suitable place to keep updates on my progress. Will probably be posting updates on that thread. Thanks guys

Shadymercs said:

I would take a picture but I would have to take the support off and I'm afraid that it will bend over again and DP damage. Best way I can explain it is once it started getting the second set of leaves it bent near the bottom of the stem and I had to prop it up to stay straight. And I just added a fan a few days ago. I keep it on during my light hours.

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possible over watered if its drooping , unless its damaged you should not have to prop. the seedling up.

420producer said:

possible over watered if its drooping , unless its damaged you should not have to prop. the seedling up.

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Would letting it dry out a little and then better watering bring it back up? Or is it permanent damage? Still seems to be growing just a little weak in the stem. Hoping the support and some TLC will strengthen it. I also added a fan after this happened.

No perma damage. That's why I asked about the water. It will dry up plant will be ok. All you are doing is slowing down it's growth. Course if you kept doing it over and over yeah it would die.

Stick your finger in an inch on the side if its damp or wet, dont touch. Your plant is young its not going to take a lot of water atm. And you are growing under CFL, thats not hot at all, so nothing is drying up the water either. So you will need to be more careful with it.

Also you short changed your pots there. I see it's only half filled with soil. When the plant gets taller fill that in with more dirt to promote more growth of the roots, other wise you will get root bound (Roots have no where to go) and you will hurt your end result. Do not pull your plant and try to transplant it right now, just later on add the dirt in.

Thinking about flowering at week 3 as my space is about 4 to 4 1/2 feet tall. What are everyone's idea on this? I can leave it in flower the time it needs which if I'm correct is usually around 7 weeks. I just don't want to make a new space, though I could if I HAD to. 3 weeks or whenever it gets about a foot. Opinions???

kachiga said:

No perma damage. That's why I asked about the water. It will dry up plant will be ok. All you are doing is slowing down it's growth. Course if you kept doing it over and over yeah it would die.

Stick your finger in an inch on the side if its damp or wet, dont touch. Your plant is young its not going to take a lot of water atm. And you are growing under CFL, thats not hot at all, so nothing is drying up the water either. So you will need to be more careful with it.

Also you short changed your pots there. I see it's only half filled with soil. When the plant gets taller fill that in with more dirt to promote more growth of the roots, other wise you will get root bound (Roots have no where to go) and you will hurt your end result. Do not pull your plant and try to transplant it right now, just later on add the dirt in.

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Yeah I definitely did. I didn't even notice how much room I left out . so if I add more on top I won't have to transplant it at all? Because if so next watering I can just add some up until a little before the first leaves....good idea?