Some newbie questions

Have couple of seedlings which are 4-5 days old. They appear to be stalled in growth. One (NL auto) is very small with a tiny set (2) of round leaves and a small set (2) of spiky leaves. It has not changed for 3 days.
The other (TD) is bigger but meant to be a bigger plant but have the same situation. The next set of leaves are not coming out. I had high hopes for this one as it germed and sprouted very quickly but stopped growing just as quickly in the party cup and now has not done a thing for 3 days. Yesterday I transplanted them both to a bigger cup but still no joy. Could they just have stopped growing because of stress?

Can add photos later if the site allows but have been having problems getting photos on this site. Maybe I need more posts?

Next I have some planning questions.
I'm constructing a grow box but having temp issues. If I buy and fit an extractor fan does the box need to be pretty snug for it to work? Can I run a tube over the fan and then out the window? If I put a carbon filter somewhere does it need to be after the fan part or before? Can I vent out of the box and into the house say out of an ajar door?
If I use an ionizing water cooled A/C can I use the intake fitted with an extra carbon filter layer as a ghetto extraction device if I can fit in reasonably snugly to the grow box?

Next some light questions. I have 19,850 of CFL lumens for a planned 3 plant grow.
As of now the ratio is 2-1 in favor of veg (high spectrum 6500k) lighting. How much of this do I need for 2 plants and should the lights be dangling or fixed as close as 1 inch from the plants or do I need some variable distances?

Finally some general grow box questions. I have looked everywhere for emergency blankets but to no avail (I'm in an out of the way location far away from USA and EU). Can I use the dull side of tin foil to line the inside of the grow area? I already have significant heat issues and at best can hold the temp in the grow area to 29-30 degrees Celsius so can I expect a heat rise if I use this method? What other methods should I be looking at?
I have bought some white plastic boarding which I can use but am a bit concerned about fire risk. Is there one with CFL bulbs? I'm using the 65w (real wattage) monsters along with 23w to fill in the gaps.
Again I'll try and post some pics of the grow area if the site allows. Might have to make more posts.
Please, please, help as my plants will not live without your help.

As for lights imo its best to keep them adjustible do you have them an inch off right now? Also do u have a humidity dome set up? And yeah if all else fails the dull side of tinfoil is better than nothing.

Also as far as the cfls go use every lumens you can the more the better and 1 inch is a little close I have mine at 2 1/2 inches but not at 4-5 days the light should be higher as well as the humidity domes u can just use a sandwich bag on your cups use a rubber band to adhere them. Pics would be cool but from what you said you might have already killed em. They love high humidity that young.

Nothing has killed or harmed more plants than their parents 'loving them to death' Calm down take a deep breath. Cannabis seeds are not made by the guy who made Jack's beanstalk seeds. Your girls will grow, give them time my friend. Replanting will only stress them and slow them down even more.

About the tin foil...do not do this. Tin foil creates hot spots that can cause burn and look like a nutrient issue. As a noobie grower you do not need that. Safety blankets can be found cheaply on e-bay. Or you can just paint the grow area flat white for reflection.
You have found a great forum, tons of good info and helpful people. Main suggestion, read, read, read. And when you're eyes start to bleed, read some more. Also on you tube they have both Jorge Cervantes grow videos and High Time Ready, Set, Grow in their entirety. Great watches! Good luck and +rep for taking the leap into farming!

In the beginning they first need to establish root system so there may not be too much of visible growth, just let them be, as soon as they`re done below the surface they will explode with growth above it. Transplanting probably didint do them any favours but shouldnt be much of a harm either. 29-30C is a bit hot for young seedlings though, how much light do you have on them now? Air movement and venting is quite important so you need some sort of extraction for sure, however you set it up its entirely up to you as long as you vent hot air out and replace it with cool one. As for reflective inside of the box flat white paint will do well, as long as you use cfls you could use tinfoil too but its rather impractical from my experience. Fire risk with cfls - rather low I`d say. I use 250w+150w cfls in veg and small 23w to fill gaps during flowering and never had one blow or anything, never heard anyone having such experience either but that doesnt necessarily mean it cannot happen.

Im not sure why you cannot post pictures.

Here is an attempt to post some pics of the plants taken recently. Plz note I took these right before I watered them. The first pic is the NL auto fem and the 2nd the TD fem.

Before you watered? That soil looks moist. Do not overwater seedlings, it can spell disaster.

It looks more moist than it is. I poked my finger down a couple of inches and it was dry so I watered.

You have gotten some good advice. Imo its time to sit back and wait. Try letting them get real dry I mean real dry, over moisture is opening the door for root rot such is a crop killer.

Yes, might now just do that then in about 24 hours or so take a deep breath and flush them out. Tomorrow I'm going to purchase some kind of PH measuring device. I guess I need to know what kind of problem it is that is stopped them growing besides my own meddling of course!

Dude nothing wrong except possibly overwatering. The roots are growing then it will take off. Don't flush it.

First noob mistake, loving your plants to death. Usually by over watering them.

NoDrama said:

First noob mistake, loving your plants to death. Usually by over watering them.

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Yeah thats where the patience comes in. I like it when they get about a month old. Every time you look at them they are bigger.

NoDrama said:

First noob mistake, loving your plants to death. Usually by over watering them.

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In all honesty I think I was under watering them if anything. I only even think about watering every other day and even then only if the soil is dry at least 2 inches under the surface. I'm also getting the hang of 'pot weight' method.
I really think my prooblems were stressed plants due to original bad soil mix, bad PH, stress from being re potted and even a little under watering thrown in for good measure.
After I flushed my TD it has started growing again allbeit slowly and the NL is still hanging in there. I did not flush it but may do so next time if it looks strong enough. Latest pics.....

Just give them a few days they'll be fine.

Now that they ate coming back leave em the Fuck alone. When they need something they will tell ya.

cool temps , too much / too little water are the most common things I noticed causing slow growth in seedlings / young plants

Mister Black said:

View attachment 1928475Here is an attempt to post some pics of the plants taken recently. Plz note I took these right before I watered them. The first pic is the NL auto fem and the 2nd the TD fem.

Awwww they're so cute....don't kill them..Name them



View attachment 1928472

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Awwww!! They're soo cute. Don't kill em.. Name them.

bkbbudz said:

Nothing has killed or harmed more plants than their parents 'loving them to death' Calm down take a deep breath. Cannabis seeds are not made by the guy who made Jack's beanstalk seeds. Your girls will grow, give them time my friend. Replanting will only stress them and slow them down even more.

This is good

About the tin foil...do not do this. Tin foil creates hot spots that can cause burn and look like a nutrient issue. As a noobie grower you do not need that. Safety blankets can be found cheaply on e-bay. Or you can just paint the grow area flat white for reflection.

This is a Myth - CFL's do not produce enough heat to cause hot spots - it could happen with 1000 watt HPS

You have found a great forum, tons of good info and helpful people. Main suggestion, read, read, read. And when you're eyes start to bleed, read some more. Also on you tube they have both Jorge Cervantes grow videos and High Time Ready, Set, Grow in their entirety. Great watches! Good luck and +rep for taking the leap into farming!

Click to expand...

Good Luck with you grow