Hi. I'm currently trying to grow a few auto lowryder ak-47's in regular, 100% organic potting soil. Each seed is in a 3 gallon pot. 2 seeds sprouted. I planted them last thursday after germing them for 3 days. Basically, they sprouted sunday, and today is friday, and they have looked the exact same since sunday. They have not grown at all, but are pretty sturdy. I have a 400watt hps about 1.5 feet away from them with a fan blowing on them. The temp is around 80-90F I water them twice a day. I have the light cycle on 18.6 rite now. My questions are: Am i watering them to much? Should they be growing more than they have? Is it normal that they are not really growing yet? (perhaps they are producing a shit load of roots then will just being to grow maybe?)
You are most likely watering them too much. Seedlings don't need alot of water...More importantly, HOW MUCH are you watering? Maybe giving them a few milliliters would be okay, but they really just need some wet soil to begin with and they'll be alright for a week or so. I mean, if the soil is COMPLETELY dry, then yeah you need to water A LITTLE bit. But a schedule of twice a day is generally a no-no. Stick your finger in the soil about 2" and if it feels wet/moist/cold, DON"T water. The temps are a bit high, but sometimes the plant can just get accustomed to it. Also, HPS lights are best used for flowering...they provide the low, red spectrum of light. For vegetation, they need the high, blue spectrum provided by Metal Halide lights or Daylight CFLs. BUT...it's okay to use HPS all the way through, it'll work out, so this may not be your problem. Pics would be good to see.
You should spend 8-9 bucks and get a moisture meter so you can water when they're truly thirsty. Over watering chokes of the oxygen supply to the roots, which creates problems.
i use to have watering trouble. i paid 30 dollars and bought a earthbox. now i can never overwater or underwater again. it makes watering idiot proof
I've seen those advertised.........they work well?........Do you have a thread or a journal going? I'd like to see one in action
I dont have a journal, and i should. GC has given me a lot, I should give back. All this damn pot has made me lazy. (Ha Ha) But yes the earth box works well. You can buy one for 30 dollars from the website. Or if you google it,you can make it, its much cheaper and easy to do. Im not saying the earth box is some super great miracle system. But yes either way, if you have been growing in soil for 30 years or if you are a first time grower, it makes over/under watering a non issue. You add water to the tube which goes to a small reservoir,until it overflows out the over flow hole. (The reservoir is about 2 and a half gallons) which goes to the bottom of the earthbox. The plant(s) wick up all the water it needs, no more no less. In my opinion if you grow in soil, there are no negatives to using a earthbox.