Okay, I am a new grower, vintage '68 smoker, and longtime student of the science (some college botany/horticulture) but definitely new to the art. I need to get my digital camera back and take a pic, I know, but that will take a day or two. In the meantime, the symptoms are few and I think I have a bead on the issue, but want the expert feedback.

There are five 7- to 10-day old, 1- to 2-inch seedlings, 6-in pots potted up from 3's, Supersoil 70%/perlite 30% and a little Superthrive when transplanted, ph is 6.6, no bugs, CFLs for vegging with 125w above and three 42's in and around, fan two feet away, pretty basic setup, one white board in back, need to surround with white still... yesterday two of the five were droopy, leaves mostly and stem a little, but color is nice dark green ... I am guessing overwatered, but it's hard to make complete sense of that area. Does the dirt at the bottom need to be as dry as that at the top? The top two inches are dry, but not at the bottom, but I watered with those conditions up till now ... Also, I had the closet door closed and I need air EXCHANGE as much as movement by fan, right?

I want to finish these babies outside, as it gets over 100 in July and August (foothills outside L.A., Google Map Tujunga or Sunland) the spot I want to use in my yard gets a good 14 hours of sun. I have one Lowryder#2, three lemon skunk, and a Thai skunk. I have a paved yard (!) so they will be in 5 gal buckets. And should I go from the gallon to the 5's or make one stop in between at 3's?

If I should have posted somewhere else, sorry! I did read all the FAQs and have actually been reading for about THREE MONTHS all over the net. I chose this site after lurking on all of them. It's all about the people and the vibe, and I don't care what anyone else says, my experience here has been A+ ... And a last general question: I have a fan (I'm a composer/artist) in Amsterdam and I just found out yesterday he's a partner in one of the best, most respected Dutch seedbanks. He is sending me 10 feminized WW for some original music CDs and I do NOT want to screw them up. What is the least risky way, at a low or reasonable cost, to grow those? Hydro? Indoor soil? Indoor veg, outdoor flower? I have no idea of the odds on any of these, but seeing as how I've already killed a few seedlings along the way (that's how we learn, right?) I want to maximize my chances. I do not have money for more than a 250w dual mh/hps mini, but if I could do it CFL, great. I'm hip to the lighting and temps (6500 veg, 2700 flower), but hydro? soil? both? in? out? AAAAAAAARGH! I know it will all sift down and make sense soon enough, but right now I have too much science and info and too little art and "feel" for it. That's why I am here.

Again, if I am in the wrong spot, the mod can slide me over to where I should be and I will take that as a lesson learned, not any kind of personal attack. Some people can be real touchy here, eh? But I grew up in a household of engineers and artists (!) so I am able to stay pretty cool, no matter what. Plus, if I'm wrong, shoot, I'm wrong. I'm not sure it's an age thing, but I just don't care to pretend I know everything anymore, it's a waste of time. Enlighten me, folks! And thanks in advance, I do tend to ramble ... and I am working on getting that camera and posting a pic like I SHOULD for a good diagnosis and treatment plan. Best to all!

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I am a mere shadow of what I never was until I lost it.