First rodeo, not sure If I should panic.

Hello hello, I'll cut right to the chase: I have two clones; a strain of Gorilla Glue #4 and an Orange Sherbet in 7L SmartPots. The medium is 50% coco and 50% perlite, with cilantro and chamomile serving as companions. The lights are 4 150W-equivalent daylight CFLs, that have been 2-3" away from the plants for a week, they are now 6" above. All this is occurring in a grow tent, in my garage, on the floor. I have an exhaust fan but I'm not sure about running it 24/7. Initially, I watered with a 3-day gap for the first week, alternating with/without nutes. I am now watering at 8am and 8pm, one with nutes, one ph'd but plain. I know something isn't right, please help!

Light burn. Too high a wattage bulbs too close. You only need like 25-40w per square foot. I wouldn't even pull out the 150s until the plants are good sized. Personally I've never used anything over 40w for CFLs. Those are hot enough, without going even higher.

BobCajun said:

Light burn. Too high a wattage bulbs too close. You only need like 25-40w per square foot. I wouldn't even pull out the 150s until the plants are good sized. Personally I've never used anything over 40w for CFLs. Those are hot enough, without going even higher.

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Thank you!! That's what I suspected, so a 30w daylight-spectrum is typically good for clones starting to take root? I've since added more coco and perlite and the Gorilla is happy as a clam, growing daily and a rich deep green with no burn. But while the Sherbet has new growth, it remains close to the size I bought it at. Thank you again!

XavierElBurro said:

Thank you!! That's what I suspected, so a 30w daylight-spectrum is typically good for clones starting to take root? I've since added more coco and perlite and the Gorilla is happy as a clam, growing daily and a rich deep green with no burn. But while the Sherbet has new growth, it remains close to the size I bought it at. Thank you again!

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Yeah 30w would be good. I only use 23w ones for clones actually, then 40w after rooted and well established. I position them horizontally and put DIY aluminum reflectors over the tops and sides, small rectangular aluminum baking pans reshaped somewhat by bending and stretching out the accordianed parts at the corners. I cut a little flap at the back and bend it up to fit over the socket and I zip tie the flap to hold it on. Works pretty good and is cheap.

If your watering at 8 am the 8pm one with plain water n one with nutes not sure I read that rite but thats to much nutes if that's the case I use nutes maybe 1once a week so they don't burn well good luck bro

get the other shit out of the pot. pot does not like competition, aka 'companions'.

your lights are fine, but you need more of them some 13-23w bulbs can actually touch the leaves and not burn.

DO NOT get the plants wet when watering, and if you do, wait a few minutes before putting the light back. those are water burns, not light burns.

as for feeding, FEED THEM! they are starving, and that is why they are pale.

BobCajun said:

Light burn. Too high a wattage bulbs too close. You only need like 25-40w per square foot. I wouldn't even pull out the 150s until the plants are good sized. Personally I've never used anything over 40w for CFLs. Those are hot enough, without going even higher.

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150w equivalent is a 23w bulb.

chuckie86 said:

If your watering at 8 am the 8pm one with plain water n one with nutes not sure I read that rite but thats to much nutes if that's the case I use nutes maybe 1once a week so they don't burn well good luck bro

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pale green in early veg means 'I WANT NITROGEN'.

dude, please disregard this bs advice. don't leave water droplets on you plants (they act like a magnifying glass), the light will condense and burn at the water spot points. please DO feed them, they are starving.

Why are you watering coco twice a day?
I have coco plants in 3 gal pots in full bloom and probably water every 3 days.
Water till you get run off out of the bottom of the pot and then don't water again till the pots are getting light.
You didn't mention what nutrients you are using?

cat of curiosity said:

150w equivalent is a 23w bulb.

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Oh right, I missed the equivalent part. Most people just state the actual wattage. In that case, just right.

Where I live ...the 23w actuals are 100w equivalent
40w are 200w equivalent..just saying.


OP,there are very little nutes for your plants to feed on in your current coco/perlite mix.You should....What nutes are you using??You should be feeding almost every time you water.

chuckie86 said:

If your watering at 8 am the 8pm one with plain water n one with nutes not sure I read that rite but thats to much nutes if that's the case I use nutes maybe 1once a week so they don't burn well good luck bro

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Thank you!

B166ER420 said:

Where I live ...the 23w actuals are 100w equivalent
40w are 200w equivalent..just saying.


OP,there are very little nutes for your plants to feed on in your current coco/perlite mix.You should....What nutes are you using??You should be feeding almost every time you water.

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I'm following this nute schedule: http://www.growweedeasy.com/sites/growweedeasy.com/files/coco-coir-flora-series-schedule.pdf

I now have the plants in full 7L SmartBags and the Gorilla is large and healthy. I've replaced the Sherbet with Purple Trainwreck, which also is growing at a satisfying rate. I'm still very curious about a sufficient watering schedule following the nute list above. Thank you for your attention!

OneHitDone said:

Why are you watering coco twice a day?
I have coco plants in 3 gal pots in full bloom and probably water every 3 days.
Water till you get run off out of the bottom of the pot and then don't water again till the pots are getting light.
You didn't mention what nutrients you are using?

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So far, that's been my experience: the coco holds the water. But with the smart pots, they seem to dry out a lot quicker. I am following this guide: http://www.growweedeasy.com/cfl-coco-coir