I have a couple plants, and I need to know the basics... I've done a little research. I've got great soil, lights and fan. But how far away do I set the lights. They are 600 watt hps lights with dim able settings. Please any advise will be appreciated.
[quote name='"monkeypunk420"']I have a couple plants, and I need to know the basics... I've done a little research. I've got great soil, lights and fan. But how far away do I set the lights. They are 600 watt hps lights with dim able settings. Please any advise will be appreciated.[/quote] Hey man welcome to organics! So if I may what type of soil are you running? And whats your grow space? If your lights are enclosed 6-8in away, and open lighting needs about a foot. Some more details will make it easier for us to help such as pot size, strain and goals.
Bring on the questions friend. I look forward to the opportunity to turn you on to true organics. Dont go to the dark side. Stay here. We got your back
So how far away do I keep the lights? I'm really new to this, and I don't like to use the Internet. But I need to do this right. I used soil out of my garden to germinate the plants. I use compost system and grow a lot of my own food. What kind of supplements should I use? My ballast has a dimmer should I be using it? My plants our 3 to 4 inches tall. Thanks for any advise.
If you are using a 600 watt hps on seedlings, I would keep it at least 1 1/2 to 2 feet away. Seelings dont need a lot of light and you dont want to burn them up. Put your hand under the light to test its intensity at the level of your seedlings. If it is too hot for your hand, then its too hot for your seedlings. I use a thermometer with a cord on it so I can read the temp at the end of that cord. I place the tip of the temp reader at the canopy level. Your plants light temps of 64-82 degrees. If your having heat issues, you can dim the bulb. Like i said, they dont a bunch of light starting out
[quote name='"Irie67"']If you are using a 600 watt hps on seedlings, I would keep it at least 1 1/2 to 2 feet away. Seelings dont need a lot of light and you dont want to burn them up. Put your hand under the light to test its intensity at the level of your seedlings. If it is too hot for your hand, then its too hot for your seedlings. I use a thermometer with a cord on it so I can read the temp at the end of that cord. I place the tip of the temp reader at the canopy level. Your plants light temps of 64-82 degrees. If your having heat issues, you can dim the bulb. Like i said, they dont a bunch of light starting out[/quote] So my plants are growing great, they are growing a new set of leaves. I have them in a pretty small pots. When is a good time to move them in to a bigger pot? Should I do it while they are young or wait for them to get older.
[quote name='"monkeypunk420"'] So my plants are growing great, they are growing a new set of leaves. I have them in a pretty small pots. When is a good time to move them in to a bigger pot? Should I do it while they are young or wait for them to get older.[/quote] Here is a picture
They look too stretchy. The are stretching out to get more light. whatever the light distance was that caused this was not close enough. If it is closer now, your probably ok, but you may need to move the light closer. Fine line though. Dont burn them. In order to fix the stretching, Id let them get a little bit stronger then transplant them and barry the stem deeper to give stability. I dont like transplanting too young, thats why I suggest to let them get a bit stronger then transplant
Do you have 18 hours light and 6 dark? (Or more light hours) An oscillating fan on them to simulate a gentle breeze will help them get bigger. You should probably transplant when their roots fill in their space, its better to do it before you flower them because it will stunt growth. I use 7 gallon smart pots, I'd recommend using at least a 5 gallon pot.
Hey guys im also pretty new to the organic grow deal. I have a 1000 watt metal halide and my plant is about a foot tall bit its just noy growing fast. I have the light about two feet away but its a open grow so. Any and all tips would be awesome!
Alright I'll wait to transplant. Yeah I started them out in a green house. And they got all stretchy like that. When I moved it into my house they stopped growing up. An started growing more leaves. I should've started in bigger pots I feel like an idiot. Some of the stems are purple and some aren't is that normal. I have a fan blowing on them to help cool. But it's not an ocilating fan. Is that going to hurt them?
No - all will be just fine. Let nature take its course. Once they've established just a little bit transplant. Easy peasy. Tyty, can I ask, since you're concerned that you're plants aren't growing very fast, what type of medium they're in, etc? J
There in soil with compost and a small amount of manure. It's soil from my grandpas garden. He is really good at keeping his garden awesome, so I figure its just as good as any soil from a garden store.
Actually you did right. you dont want to pop a seed in a big pot. You want to start real small like what you've done, wait till you get a root mass, then pot-up to the next size, wait for it to grow a good size root mass, then do a final transplant into the biggest final pot
Sweet how much longer do you think it'll take to get some good roots? And so my fan doesn't swivel is that bad to have a constant breeze? And one of my plants fell over what should I do? Prop it up or leave it be?
Hey jerry, right now there just in miracLE grow. What should my kix be fir the medium because i know its not supposed to be all just miracle grow. Thanks guys.
Id probably try to stake them with popsicle stick. leave the fan on them though. It'll make the stalk stronger. Be careful that the fan doesnt make your temps drop too much. Wait. nevermind, your using HPS. that should keep things warm enough. It'll take at least another week before you can transplant. When you transplant, you want to be working with a rootball. If you tried to transplant now, thae dirt ball would crumble in your hands.
Both of you should read this thread http://forum.grasscity.com/organic-growing/1116550-easy-organic-soil-mix-beginners.html#post15948275
I think that the soil from your grandfather's garden is an excellent choice for an ingredient, however, you will want to take that dirt and create a super soil out of it. It wont be airy enough for indoor gardening and there are a lot of ammendments out there that can make it way better.
Ok so what do u guys suggest o add to my soil. And how far away should my 1000 MH be from the plants?