Stunted Growth, 1st grow, detailed description PLEASE help!!

[bigdulk]

Hi there, thank you for taking a look, I beg of you to be patient because I'm about to explain everything, hopefully you can help me figure out what I am doing wrong so I can have a smoother 2nd grow. 1st I'll describe my setup and mistakes I think I made, then I'll propose what the potential problems could be.
This is my very first grow and I am sure the growth has been stunted from 1 or more reasons. I will attach pictures as well.
Strain: 4 seeds, Ambrosia "Jordan of islands" or whatever, (bought in Canada/given to me, not my first choice but they were free )
Light: Germinated w/ paper towel, 75w Fluoro for first 2 weeks. (2.5-3" tall, good looking leaves). Changed over to new 400w HPS w/ a built in ballast. Put the height at 18" overnight w/ out a fan (big mistake) 2 seedlings died because I misted so much day before they fell over and bent their stem, didn't recover, two others were ok. SCHEDULE: 24/0 first 2 wks, 20/4 past 3.5 wks, 18/6 past 4 days.
**Currently in week 6 of veg stage and a whopping 6 inches.
Soil: Schultz African Violet potting soil Plus, even after a ton of research I was swayed into buying this 9 month time release soil because it had everything I was looking for, (perlite, sphagnum moss, composed materials, and for flowering plants it said!, seemed I hit the jackpot)
Environment/Closet: Terrible location but it is all I have. I have a walk in closet, which i tuck my plants (now plant) behind a dresser. Mylar covers 3 sides and a fan blows under and accross my 400w HPS. there is very poor ventilation because I can't do anything to wall/door. I leave for approx 5 hrs tues and 4 on thurs the heat builds up from 79-89 to 95-107. Humidity drops from 47-58% down to about 30-38% I mist average 1 time a day, ussually when i get back and they are hot.
**1 plant left
Containers: for the past 6 weeks of seedling/veg. stage they have been in 6" pots. it is now six inches and I transplanted it into a 12 inch 17 qt. pot. I noticed the roots on the bottom and they made markings on bottom of pot. Nothing like a root ball but a few hairy roots on bottom and sides. Because I decided to rip out the other teeny plant and I didn't want to replant my good one again to fit better in the center, it sits with the stem 4" from the side of the pot. Stupid to put them both in the same and then just remove one but I figured all hope was lost. Will being close to the side hurt the growth?
New Soil: In the new pot I added MG "Organic Choice potting mix", it is totally natural and completely unlike the original soil. I assume this is bad
Food: after the transplant last night, tonight I added more soil to fill up the pot and I gave it a drink of Schultz's 10-15-10 plant food plus. dose says 7 drops/1qt. water, I did, 2 drops/24oz. of water. We'll see how it looks tomorrow. I also moved it a bit out of direct light.

What I think could be the PROBLEMS:
This is what my research tells me what could be wrong, let me know what you think. Take a look at pics to see the yellowing/curled under and 1 set of hanging leaves.
1. [I]Soil, time released is not the answer
2. pH looked to be 7ish when I started, maybe slightly higher
3. Nitrogen deficiency from root lock out caused by a pH?
4. Head stress, this is definitely a major reason I think
5. over ferted from time release
6. 6" plant in about 4-4.75" of soil (root bound maybe)
7. Poor soil breathing (3 holes, should I have removed the water collector to add 3 more holes?)




this is week 5 in veg stage, obviously stunted the growth but things are looking good now that i transplanted. Anyone think it has a chance of being female?

[jjng5]

I think you made the same mistakes that I did. You gave them nutes too soon and you gave them too much light. I used 7 26W CFL's and sometimes gave my seedlings a few hours under my 400W. After I noticed some yellowing - I thought that they needed nutes so I added Super Thrive (Hormones and Vits) with some Epsom salts. This didn't make things any better. I believe the biggest factor that has been hurting my plants are the lights. Seedlings don't require a ton of light from the beginning.

Good luck. I am still trying to figure out my shopping list of mistakes in an attempt to bring my plants back!

[bigdulk]

Yeah man, I've been told a good way to introduce seedlings from the switch is by putting the 400w or whatever you have around 3 feet away, then each day move it closer until you can comfortably hold you hand at the height of the plant's top without burning. I've also heard a lot of mixed feelings about superthrive, don't quote me but I think its only really good to use after a transplant but thats a guess. A lot of people say its just too super haha. Good luck man! Either this grow or the next we will finally smoke some GREAT homegrown budz!!!!! woohoo