So I started a grow a few weeks ago (340 actual watt CFL grow - FFOF) I started with two bag seeds from some nice home grown stuff a friend of mine gave me. The seeds took two days to germinate and about 4 days to break the surface. 5 days ago I got 6 more bag seeds from another friend. They germinated in 12 hours (dropped in a cup of water method), broke the soil the next day, and now 3 days later, their first leaves are as big as the other pair's first leaves (or close anyway) and taller. I figured the older plants just weren't getting enough light. So I rearranged all of my lights so they were closer together and put all the plants under all the lights. This morning, I found that the old plants had turned a light green color, but the younger plants just grew that much more and are very dark green. So my questions. What the deal with the first set of plants turning yellowish when I upped the lights? Too much heat for them (it's about 90 degrees under those lights)? Could there be some other difference between the plants like the strain (Indica vs. Sativa %?) that is making the younger plants grow faster - or is it just more evidence that there is something wrong with the older plants? Are some strains more tolerant of heat? What else should I be checking or changing? Here's some pics. These two pics are from 3 days ago - less than 24 hours after the second set of plants broke the soil. The second two pics are from this morning. I know a couple of the newer plants are stretched. They actually stretched the first night after they broke the surface while they were still in their plastic dome. Since then they have not continued to stretch, but their leaves are growing like crazy compared to the older stuff. Any advice, suggestions, comments, etc. are welcome.
I think the lights are just coinsedence. My suspicion is a nutrient burn, and possible over watering -- but let me ask you a few questions before I say that's what it is for sure.. What type of soil are you using? How often are you watering (ie. how many days apart)? How much water to you give each watering (ie. how do you decide when to stop watering)? Are you providing any additional nutrients to the plants, besides what is available in the soil? Do you pH test your water going in AND coming out/runoff?
Thanks for the fast reply! I'm using FFOF. I'm not providing any other nutrients at this point. I'm watering every other day. A couple of times I have watered two days in a row, but only if the I stick my finger in the soil and it feels dry down 1/2" or so. I thought maybe the temp and low humidity (18-22%) was causing the soil to dry out too fast. I'm putting about 1/4 cup of water in at each watering. I get about a tablespoon of runoff at watering. I have PH tested the water and it's about 6.5. Next time I water I will check the PH of the runoff. Hadn't thought about doing that before. I assume that my humidity is too low, could that have something to do with it too? My GF gave me a humidifier to use, but I forgot to bring it home. I'll pick it up tonight.
Since they're just seedlings you don't need that much light...i would take a couple down. 90 degrees? Ideal is 75-80. Maybe if you take some down it will help with the temps..get a fan too if you dont have one. Good luck on your grow!
double Yay! I love FFOF!! and they won't need any nutrients for about 30 days after each transplant and initial planting with the FFOF. You definitely want to get that humidity up - try 40-60%. Sealing of the space will help with this dramatically! The FFOF does a wonderful job of retaining water -- try watering every 3-4 days... and see how that works for you... I think you'll be happier with it. More than likely the surface soil is a bit dry from the low humidity but lower down there is probably still some moisture. You do want the soil to dry out a bit - not too much, but a bit. The FFOF can be a little bit strong for seedlings -- light warrior (by fox farms) is more commonly used for seedlings -- but they'll be fine in the ocean forest -- just don't panic if you see a little bit of bun. Great! Watering until you see run off is fantastic! Sounds like you've got this down perfect!! that's perfect going in - the FFOF is formulated to hold a pH of 6.3.6.8 ( i might be off but .1) so 6.5 should be great! YES! You'll appreciate this later - i promise. be easy with the humidifier - keep it below 65% if you can Another suggestion: get an oscillating fan moving around these guys to give them fresh air and to encourage strong stem growth. and 1 more thing: when you transplant (in a week or 2) add perlite to the FFOF -- i'd say about 30-40% perlite, and 60-70% FFOF. The perlite will help with drainage so you don't get soggy roots, and aeration which your plants will love... and for me, the best part is that perlite is CHEAP, and using that ratio of perlite to soil helps the soil go further.
Thanks Chickadee! I've been watching your grows, it's actually what inspired me to try my own. I do have Perlite in the soil. One plant it's about 40% Perlite (I was trying for 20% and did my math worng) and the others are more like 20%. I'll let them dry out for a couple of days, then water and check the PH on the runoff. I have two fans (one intake, one exhaust) but I need to pick up a small ocsillator. Fans are just hard to find locally during the winter. I figured I'd order one online this week. The humidifier has a control knob, so I think I can dial it in with some experimenting. I have a remote temp and humidity monitor, so I don't have to open the box to see the reading. I guess I'll just sit the humidifier next to the intake fan and spend a day fine tuning it. Thanks again for all the help! And yeah, Shralpmode, I'm still experimenting with lights too. I have two 68watt CFLs that I put in just for the recent seedlings, so they'd have enough light while they were under the dome. I might take those out and replace them with some 27watters.
aww! Thanks - that makes me feel awful good although - my grow is nothing compared to some of the veteran growers... that know how to make good bud porn I know EXACTLY what you mean about having trouble finding an oscillating fan in the winter - I'd like 2 more, but I either have to order online or wait another couple of months.
Well, three of my plants have died now. The first one died the first day I went without watering. The second and third died the next day. The new sprouts were doing pretty well, but now one of them is looking a little droopy. MY temps are now in the mid '70's range - I removed two lights to get the temps down. I still have 300 actual watts on them. My humidity is in the 31-39 range, not sure why it's fluctuating. It might have to do with the water level in my humidifier. My water going in is 6.5ish PH and the runoff is closer to 7.0. However, if I stick a PH strip on the top of the soil right after I water, the spots where it touched the soil looks like 8.0. Does it work to check soil PH that way? Also, I'm using FFOF, I have given no nutrients yet. When should I and what should I add. Thanks again!
Hey Renaldo sound like FFOF was to hot for your seedlings and killed em. It happens sometimes, if you would have germed in peat pellets or rapid rooters would have been the way to go. FFOF has a lot of nutes in it and some strains just can't handle it right out the box.
Your now dead seedlings look a lot like my 10 white widows I used to have (one below). Stunted growth, pale green. Yeah, I've seen it before. Your sprouts got fried dude. Too hot, not watered enough, light too close - or all of the above. I don't think the FFOF is to blame imho. Good luck with your other babies!