My First Attempt (help, suggestions much appreciated!) (pics)

markj

markj

Well-Known Member
Hi everybody,

A couple of weeks ago I decided that it's time to make my first attempt to grow my own weed. I started by putting the seed into wet cotton, and then after the plant was about 2cm high, I planted it into a plastic cup. I think that everything is going good so far.

After reading in the forum about fertilizers, I bought today one and the numbers on the bottle are 12-4-8. Is it the right choice? And, after I mixed it with water, should I use this mix every time I water my plant or not?

There's a yellow tip on one of the lower leaves, which is there almost since the beggining. From what I read, this may be because of the chlorine of the tap water. So I started leaving some water for a couple of days sitting and then water with this.

The lights right now are on 24/7. When should I start leaving the plant less time under the light?

I'm also posting some photos, so you can see what I'm talking about, and I will be posting more regularly.

Any advices, suggestions and comments are more than welcome, and I hope that we can all watch it grow big and tasty!!!

Thank you all in advance...
 

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Johnnyorganic

Johnnyorganic

Well-Known Member
markj said:
After reading in the forum about fertilizers, I bought today one and the numbers on the bottle are 12-4-8. Is it the right choice? And, after I mixed it with water, should I use this mix every time I water my plant or not?
Click to expand...
Seedlings have enough food for the first two weeks of life. Ferts are the least of your concerns now. Lighting and ventilation should be top priorities at this point. Do not feed twice in a row. The NPK ratio of your ferts look fine for veg.

markj said:
There's a yellow tip on one of the lower leaves, which is there almost since the beggining. From what I read, this may be because of the chlorine of the tap water. So I started leaving some water for a couple of days sitting and then water with this.
Click to expand...
That yellow is damage from when the seedling emerged. However, it is of no importance. The two embrionic leaves will die off soon.

markj said:
The lights right now are on 24/7. When should I start leaving the plant less time under the light?
Click to expand...
You can veg at 24/0 or 18/6.

Read the GROWFAQ.
 
markj

markj

Well-Known Member
Johnnyorganic said:
Seedlings have enough food for the first two weeks of life. Ferts are the least of your concerns now. Lighting and ventilation should be top priorities at this point. Do not feed twice in a row. The NPK ratio of your ferts look fine for veg.
Click to expand...
Thanks Johnny for your advice. About the ventilation, I've done nothing till now. I didn't know it was so important, even so early. Guess I'll have to put a small fan as soon as possible.
 
Johnnyorganic

Johnnyorganic

Well-Known Member
It is not vital now, but it will be very soon. A fan will provide air exchange, strengthen the plant, and keep the heat down.
 
markj

markj

Well-Known Member
I've put on a fan near the plant, that works almost 24/7. I hope that this will make the plant stronger!

I'll post some new photos soon enough, so you can see how it's going, and maybe help me a bit if i'm doing something wrong!
 
markj

markj

Well-Known Member
Here are some new pics!

At the 3rd pic you can see a yellow tip at the left leave. Do you think it's from the nutes? Would it be ok if don't feed it for a couple of times, and use only water? Or should I do something else?

I've already transplanted it from the plastic cup (pics in the first post), to this pot. But from what I read this is a small pot. So today I'm going shopping! Is it ok if I transplant it again into a bigger pot?

I'm only growing this one plant, and I took a photo so you can see the size of the pot and the light that I've been using till now. I think it stretches too much so I'm thinking of buying some new lights as well. How many watts do I need for this one plant?
And, should I continue with lights 24/0 or should I switch to 18/6?

thanx, and I'll be keeping the thread up to date with pics and comments regularly.
 

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JLStiffy

JLStiffy

Well-Known Member
Hi,
Really simple. Your 12-4-8, seems to me that it's a little weird feed programs.. i run 3-2-1 and flower at 1-2-3. 12%Nitrogen seems high for my own liking I run a 7-0-1 Micro. I guess you are using a 1part feed and if so then that sounds good 2 me :)

Lighting, go 18/6, you must give your plants to transfer energy to roots to help build complex sugers etc!!! Alot of magic happens at night, i keep that in mind.

The yellowing of tip, i agree it most likly is root damage from seedling. maybe tip tried out, remeber lol the plant only has one little root to live off! but GJ u germinated the seed and its standing strong by the looks :) Now, keep an eye on the sex of the plant.
Dont bud the male out if it' is, becuase its idea not to grow bud in an area tha you gather pollun.

One last thing, Just water for your frist week. And when you add your feed, run a low feed of no more then 500PPM and thats counting tap water Total dissolved salts. You will need a TDS pen to read your levels. Get a pH pen, thats the most important tool you will ever invest in! Its like going to school with out a note book and pen. Accually going to school and not attending classes! U need a PH pen, it will help u in every area in growing, (problem solving etc) Even when you water fresh, drop PH so that you soil stays constrant!.. ggood luck.
 
jackinthebox

jackinthebox

Well-Known Member
Deffently need to know how old the plant is. Also what brand of nutrients did you buy.

Also is the light your using a regular house light bulb? Candalescent? And yes it will deffently be ok if you dont feed it a couple times, you shouldnt be feeding it every time.

Hope you respond quick, im about to go to bed = (
 
JLStiffy

JLStiffy

Well-Known Member
Oh, when you feed, try to feed once and then water twice. I dont practice this, I feed, feed, feed etc everytime I water, but I do a very good flush after I veg and i do a very good flush after I flower.. I use H202(hydrogen peroxide), water and wheni dont I use simple dish soup,(about 1 tablespoon per 5gallons) I have seen someone add 100ML per 5gallons with little differnece, but WHO knows wtf, his soild could be very differnt then mine..
 
jackinthebox

jackinthebox

Well-Known Member
JLStiffy said:
Hi,
Really simple. Your 12-4-8, seems to me that it's a little weird feed programs.. i run 3-2-1 and flower at 1-2-3. 12%Nitrogen seems high for my own liking I run a 7-0-1 Micro. I guess you are using a 1part feed and if so then that sounds good 2 me :)

Lighting, go 18/6, you must give your plants to transfer energy to roots to help build complex sugers etc!!! Alot of magic happens at night, i keep that in mind.

The yellowing of tip, i agree it most likly is root damage from seedling. maybe tip tried out, remeber lol the plant only has one little root to live off! but GJ u germinated the seed and its standing strong by the looks :) Now, keep an eye on the sex of the plant.
Dont bud the male out if it' is, becuase its idea not to grow bud in an area tha you gather pollun.

One last thing, Just water for your frist week. And when you add your feed, run a low feed of no more then 500PPM and thats counting tap water Total dissolved salts. You will need a TDS pen to read your levels. Get a pH pen, thats the most important tool you will ever invest in! Its like going to school with out a note book and pen. Accually going to school and not attending classes! U need a PH pen, it will help u in every area in growing, (problem solving etc) Even when you water fresh, drop PH so that you soil stays constrant!.. ggood luck.
Click to expand...

Its important when trying to help new growers, to make things simple. Although you information was good, I doubt he knows what 500ppm's are, or has a any intrument to check it.

Basically just start out at about 1/4th strength of what the box tells you. After a couple weeks work your way up to 1/2, and so on. However only feed every other watering, and make sure you dont increase your amounts to much.

Also stiffy I wasnt trying to bash you man, your information was really good, just try to make it a bit more newbie compatiable. <3 much love to ya mate


Growers <3
 
markj

markj

Well-Known Member
jackinthebox said:
Deffently need to know how old the plant is. Also what brand of nutrients did you buy.

Also is the light your using a regular house light bulb? Candalescent? And yes it will deffently be ok if you dont feed it a couple times, you shouldnt be feeding it every time.

Hope you respond quick, im about to go to bed = (
Click to expand...
Thank you for the quick reply jackinthebox!

The plant is 2 weeks old, maybe a couple of days more.
The light I've been using till now is a regular desk light, but I think it has a 50W mh bulb. Today I'm thinking of buying new mh lights, but I'm not sure on the watts.
 
JLStiffy

JLStiffy

Well-Known Member
No worries jackinthebox,
Go to your local hydroponic store and check out Compac flourecents at 125Watt or 200Watt. Check it out, it will blow your mind on how well they work for you... I use 2 200watts to veg and two 400MH and they 2Compac flourecenst work very very good and produce very little heat and electrical consumption..
You cna place these lights 1 inch from plant.
Here are some pictures of the 200Watt governing my seed crop for outdoor, and notice the plants in the background, they are being neglected of light, but were grown under the compac 200Watt light for 10Days. :)
 

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markj

markj

Well-Known Member
JLStiffy said:
Hi,
Really simple. Your 12-4-8, seems to me that it's a little weird feed programs.. i run 3-2-1 and flower at 1-2-3. 12%Nitrogen seems high for my own liking I run a 7-0-1 Micro. I guess you are using a 1part feed and if so then that sounds good 2 me :)

Lighting, go 18/6, you must give your plants to transfer energy to roots to help build complex sugers etc!!! Alot of magic happens at night, i keep that in mind.

The yellowing of tip, i agree it most likly is root damage from seedling. maybe tip tried out, remeber lol the plant only has one little root to live off! but GJ u germinated the seed and its standing strong by the looks :) Now, keep an eye on the sex of the plant.
Dont bud the male out if it' is, becuase its idea not to grow bud in an area tha you gather pollun.

One last thing, Just water for your frist week. And when you add your feed, run a low feed of no more then 500PPM and thats counting tap water Total dissolved salts. You will need a TDS pen to read your levels. Get a pH pen, thats the most important tool you will ever invest in! Its like going to school with out a note book and pen. Accually going to school and not attending classes! U need a PH pen, it will help u in every area in growing, (problem solving etc) Even when you water fresh, drop PH so that you soil stays constrant!.. ggood luck.
Click to expand...
thank you JLStiffy!

I'll definitely buy a ph pen or tester, and try to keep the ph under control.
About the sex of the plant, I'll try to figure it out as soon as possible, so if it's a male, I'll be planting new seeds immediately. But, from what I understand reading the site I'll not be able to tell the sex till it grows more. I also think I'm gonna need some help with that, when the time comes. :-)).

About the lighting, I'll follow your advice and start a 18/6 cycle. Is it ok if this happens straight from 24/0, or does it need and adjustment period?
I'm also buying a bigger pot to transplant it today.
 
JLStiffy

JLStiffy

Well-Known Member
Hey great Idea to switch from 24/0 to 18/6 :)
When you upgrade your planter size go from your cups to 1gallon.. If bigger move to a 3gallon or directly 5gallon :) Remeber About every 7 Days transplant if you move to the 200W Compac flour light, I cannot stress this enoguht, it sure works wonders! I would drop all my Metal halide bulbs if I could afford 2 but I have to much on the go all at once lol...
Some info on Metal halides, food for thought for you future investments.
MH run at 4.0AMPS wired 120V (15amp sockets) Now thats pritty damn close to what a 1000HPS(flower bulb) runs wired at 240V (dryer outlet) Depending on were u live, I know these 1000HPS can cost growers lots to run, some say up to $40Dollors a bulb at .10Cents a kiloWatt. I live in canada, so we mesure this way, Im pritty sure it's universal.. the 200Watt compac maybe wil run you about 8dollors on your electrical bil at worst :) I would say thats the next best investment besides my pH pen, and then it would be the 600HPS lighting hehe. this is just food for thought, random talk, but good luck, and keep an eye out for the male sacks about 3weeks of maturity, there should be good signs!
 
JLStiffy

JLStiffy

Well-Known Member
Sorry, i didn answear question, Switch from 24/0 to 18/6 is just fine when your in veg. Never interupt your plants from there 12/12 when they are in flower.. :)
 
markj

markj

Well-Known Member
cheetah2007 said:
never ever ever at any cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
I'm going shopping today, for bigger pots, ph meter and 200W Compac flour light, as JLStiffy suggested.

I'm also buying a timer, because up till now with 24/0 everything was easy, but from now on I'll have to make sure, that I won't do anything stupid!!!

Later during the day, I'll let you all know what I bought.

Thank you guys for all the help...
 
markj

markj

Well-Known Member
Hi again,

I bought a bigger pot, pH drops to test the water I use, a new 275W bulb and a timer.

The pot and the new light, you can see at the pic. Please tell me what you think, and if this light will be enough till I switch to 12/12. Until today the lights were on 24/0 and from today I switch to 18/6.

I tested the water's pH and it was round 7.5, from what I read this too high so tomorrow I'll buy something to lower the pH. I'm thinking of lowering it to 6.5.

I'll keep the updates...
Cheers!!!
 

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