Definately a noob..Need some help=]

Hi everybody! My name is Liz. Glad to have found this website cuz my roommate is growing 2 plants for the first time and we're completely confused. One is about 10 inches and the other is about a foot. It seems like they aren't growing the way they should be. She planted them in late September and they just don't look right from the pictures we've seen on here Not as bushy or something and there isn't any distinguishable way so far to tell if they're male or females. Any help would be appreciated.

First off research on Google and on the RIU FAQ's page. Welcome, but no one will spoon feed you anything.

Welcome to riu!Good to see another female grower.What kind of lights are you using?How often do you water, and are you feeding nutes to them?If so, do you dilute them, or go full strength?What type of soil, and how big are the pots?And...any pics of said plants?

XlizX said:

Hi everybody! My name is Liz. Glad to have found this website cuz my roommate is growing 2 plants for the first time and we're completely confused. One is about 10 inches and the other is about a foot. It seems like they aren't growing the way they should be. She planted them in late September and they just don't look right from the pictures we've seen on here Not as bushy or something and there isn't any distinguishable way so far to tell if they're male or females. Any help would be appreciated.

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ok so what kind of lights do u have on there u probaly need more got any reflective materail? like tin foil or mylar do u know what kind it is have u started 12/12 or 18/6?

She's using florencent lights. She had been watering them every three days until I read something today about over watering. I think it might've said to water them once a week so that what we're gonna start doing unless they get to looking like they need it. Also they're 1-1/2 to 2 gallon pot. She got the planting soil from her mom so I'd have to get back to ya on that. And when she gets home I'll try to take some pics with her phone. I think they might just need some more light.

What is a nute? XD SORRY I'm not to bright on all this.

how many watts on those cfls and how far away from the plant are they?

You're right, they probably do.Watering every three sounds fine...you just make sure the soil is dry on top before you water again, about a half inch or so in, just put your finger tip in the soil.Are you using walmart grow lights, or compact flourescents?

XlizX said:

She's using florencent lights. She had been watering them every three days until I read something today about over watering. I think it might've said to water them once a week so that what we're gonna start doing unless they get to looking like they need it. Also they're 1-1/2 to 2 gallon pot. She got the planting soil from her mom so I'd have to get back to ya on that. And when she gets home I'll try to take some pics with her phone. I think they might just need some more light.

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They're compact flourescents. 40 Watt I do believe and kept about 3 feet away. Maybe we should try the whole foil thingy? When it was still warm outsite we kept em in the sun for about 11 hours a day. Now it's to cold and we're messing up lol.

XlizX said:

What is a nute? XD SORRY I'm not to bright on all this.

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its short for nutrients. theres grow bloom stuff like that. and depending on what soil you have it may have some in it already

Thanks. ^^

NO FOIL, please.It can cause hot spots and burn your plants.Walmart has mylar camping blankets in the camping section for about three bucks.Or get wrapping paper, the "foil" kind is mylar.Use the silver side.Move those lights closer.With compact flourescents, you can move them about three inches away.You will definitely need more,and all around the plants.It sounds like your plants could be stretched, meaning there is a lot of spacing between the branches.Put a small fan on low on them, you'll need to strengthen them.I hope ya get some pics so folks can tell.

XlizX said:

They're compact flourescents. 40 Watt I do believe and kept about 3 feet away. Maybe we should try the whole foil thingy?

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3 feet away is way to far, try more like 3 inches. And you need to read some books. Buds for less, and Marijuana horticulture medical growers bible i recommend. And search the faq and read some grow journals. And do some more research well i guess you get the idea.

move those lights to about 12 inches away from the plants and is there one of those for each plant

YES! EXACTLY! There is alot of spaces between branches. I'm so glad you said that now I know how to describe it. Thanks a ton. You are alot of help=]=] They reason we had them so far away was we were afraid of burning them but if it'll be ok we'll do that. I'll get some pics on here asap. I'm kinda embarressed though hehe. They don't look half as nice as some others I've seen on here.

stoney is on point!

No only one light.

Hey, everybody makes mistakes.Read the faq, it helps so much.Move those lights in to about three inches.I'd suggest buying an actual grow light, but I don't know what your budget is.This is what I bought, and I haven't had a chance to use mine yet.However, you could get a 250 watt if you need something smaller.http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=47981 I'd suggest going for the 400 watt, cuz it all seems to cost roughly the same amount.The light comes in the box, you take it out, assemble the reflector,put your bulb in (metal halide for veg,High pressure sodium for flower) and plug it in.Either hang the ballast(that's the white thing with the cords going to it) Or place it on something that isn't flammable, like a metal lockbox.They supposedly get really hot, but mine doesn't, I just make sure the fan blows on it.Like I said, I haven't used my 400 watt yet, my grow is delayed a bit, but my 150 watt was pretty cool.

XlizX said:

YES! EXACTLY! There is alot of spaces between branches. I'm so glad you said that now I know how to describe it. Thanks a ton. You are alot of help=]=] They reason we had them so far away was we were afraid of burning them but if it'll be ok we'll do that. I'll get some pics on here asap. I'm kinda embarressed though hehe. They don't look half as nice as some others I've seen on here.

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Our budget is pretty limited right now but thanks so much for the advice. If these don't turn out at least we'll know better the next time. Thanks everyone else too.

I don't know where you live but around here we have some farm stores, and I saw a gigantic cfl in those.Otherwise, use 6500k cool white cfls for vegging, 24 hours a day, or 18 hours of light, 6 hours dark, if you prefer.Keep in mind that growing with cfls seems to take forever.Then when you want to flower,go 12 hours on, 12 off with a warm white cfl (2700k)

XlizX said:

Our budget is pretty limited right now but thanks so much for the advice. If these don't turn out at least we'll know better the next time. Thanks everyone else too.

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