Hello everyone, Please help me save my seedlings! I just sprouted some bag-seeds in coco coir. (not my first choice to start seeds, but anyway). My questions are as follows: How far should my cfl's be from the 3 day old seedlings? Ive read everything from 3" to 18" +. Also, I have 72W on them currently -- too much or not enough? I think they seem lanky already. - Oh yeah, its a closet grow and there are 18 seedlings. Secondly, since coco is inert, do I need to fertilize now? I wanted to grow in coco (primarily), but was planning on starting in some standard seed starting soil. I was a bit off on my planning and the soil wasn't here when my seeds needed to be planted. Thanks for any and all advice!!
Well I do know that about 2-3 fingers width away is about ideal. That works out to about 3 inches. Try to get an accurate temp reading right next to the plants to monitor the temps below 80 and keep the lights as close as possible. As far as 18 seedlings, and 1 72w light. Common thought at the moment is 100w for your first plant (or only) and 50w for each additional plant, even though I don't konw if that applies all the way up to 18 plants...If I were you and only had 1 72w cfl, I would probably focus on 2-3 seedlings max and try to grow just one lady.
Ok, thanks. I'll probably move'm closer -- I thought they seemed lanky. I am planning on taking only 2 to harvest and I do have more light. I just didnt think I needed all that just yet. They're only 3 days old -- think I should hit'm with more light? Thanks again.
Definetly add more light if possible. More light the better at this point, and pretty much at all points to be honest. I'm not sure how much light is a factor before the seedling breaks the ground, but I'd imgaine it's just as important as any other time. You should be able to find a digital temp/humidity monitor for like 10-12 bucks at walmart. You can set it right by your plants and then lower your lights to about 3 inches away from them for cfl's. Just make sure your temps dont raise too high or else you'll need to get some kind of air flow.
Thanks GBsCheeser, I lowered the lights to a few inches, but I am having trouble keeping my temps below 80. When i open my closet door to help keep the heat down, my humidity drops to 40 % -- I suspect that they'll be ok, b/c my last two (first two) grows went well despite the low humidity. Perhaps I neep an exhaust fan at the top of the closet ??? Does anyone have any knowledge about this: Secondly, since coco is inert, do I need to fertilize now? I wanted to grow in coco (primarily), but was planning on starting in some standard seed starting soil. I was a bit off on my planning and the soil wasn't here when my seeds needed to be planted. They've been above ground for 3-4 days now -- does anyone know if I should wait the 2-3 wks to give them nutes or will they need it sooner, being in coco ? Thanks