First Grow from Day 0

Id say somewhere around the 22-24" mark would be a good starting point.

then you can slowly lower it over a few days, let them get used to it.

Always do the hand test, helps ensure we dont burn them up with our powerful lights

See, that's exactly what I meant when I said the NLs will be tall. My seedlings looked just like that, a tall skinny stalk with tiny cotyledons.

diggs99 said:

Id say somewhere around the 22-24" mark would be a good starting point.

then you can slowly lower it over a few days, let them get used to it.

Always do the hand test, helps ensure we dont burn them up with our powerful lights

Click to expand...

Right, will do. And keep you posted.
Thanks, man

DoubleX5150 said:

See, that's exactly what I meant when I said the NLs will be tall. My seedlings looked just like that, a tall skinny stalk with tiny cotyledons.

Click to expand...

Well, my starting conditions weren't quite perfect, you know. I had no humidity, so I made domes and pushed the temps up by switching on the lights. I sure wonder if the third will be less tall than her sisters, given that she will receive humidity.
But what stage are you in?

Day 5
Raised RH to 45-50% with an humidifier. Attempting for more.
Girls seem to be doing well. But they are still seedlings and quite tall...
Any suggestions on what I should do further?

You can top up your containers with soil to give the seedling a little extra support

How far are your lights away from tops?

ah, ok, good idea!
they're about 35 cm from the light. It ain't burnin them, I checked

What lights did you sprout them under?

wondering where the stretchiness came from

at 35cm they def shouldnt be stretching anymore.

diggs99 said:

What lights did you sprout them under?

wondering where the stretchiness came from

at 35cm they def shouldnt be stretching anymore.

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well, after the paper towel, they wouldn't sprout, as RH was low, maybe. so I turned on the light (the 400w hps) and left it on for like 5 hours or so, then shut it down and turned it back on some 24h later. The light was far from them, like 1.5m from them. But they grew tall in the first 2 days. Can the distance be the cause of their stretch?

usually the distance of the light is what causes stretch, yes

if light is too far away the plant will " stretch " for the light

at 35cm you shouldnt have to worry about anymore stretching. you may want to pack more soil in your containers or use some small sticks for bracing your babies, until they bigger/stronger and it wont be an issue.

ok, so most probably it was the light. will keep it in mind for the next grow
I've poured some more soil into their containers. And I'll find some sticks, yea. Thanks

putyourlightson said:

ok, so most probably it was the light. will keep it in mind for the next grow
I've poured some more soil into their containers. And I'll find some sticks, yea. Thanks

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You may not actually need sticks, if the soil gave the enough support, they may be fine. Wont be long now and thee stem will begin getting stronger and this will be a non issue.

the sticks was just a suggestion in cash you noticed them starting to sag or flop over

diggs99 said:

You may not actually need sticks, if the soil gave the enough support, they may be fine. Wont be long now and thee stem will begin getting stronger and this will be a non issue.

the sticks was just a suggestion in cash you noticed them starting to sag or flop over

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using sticks works well, sustaining them

Day 7
Second set of leaves popped yesterday, looking good
light at about 19 inches from them (13 in was too close)
RH currently going between 45 and 54

putyourlightson said:

Day 7
Second set of leaves popped yesterday, looking good
light at about 19 inches from them (13 in was too close)
RH currently going between 45 and 54

Click to expand...

They are coming along!

In the future after you plant your seeds just keep the light on. Either 24/7 or 18/6, whatever you choose for your veg light cycle. A 400w HPS is plenty of light for a seedling and won't cause stretching, even at 1.5m. I'm wondering if they got excited from 5hrs of HID and then streeeeettttccchhed waiting for it to come back on? (Sometimes they just do that for me too)

I'd recommend getting a fan if you don't already have one. If the seedlings get air blown on them from day 1 they get tough and strengthen their stalks so they won't fall over.

I top at day 11 (just the middle shoot not entire plant), 20 (all main tops, typically 2), and 28 (all main tops). I let mine veg for 35ish days total, give or take a few days.

ChiefRunningPhist said:

They are coming along!

In the future after you plant your seeds just keep the light on. Either 24/7 or 18/6, whatever you choose for your veg light cycle. A 400w HPS is plenty of light for a seedling and won't cause stretching, even at 1.5m. I'm wondering if they got excited from 5hrs of HID and then streeeeettttccchhed waiting for it to come back on? (Sometimes they just do that for me too)

I'd recommend getting a fan if you don't already have one. If the seedlings get air blown on them from day 1 they get tough and strengthen their stalks so they won't fall over.

I top at day 11 (just the middle shoot not entire plant), 20 (all main tops, typically 2), and 28 (all main tops). I let mine veg for 35ish days total, give or take a few days.

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Yeah, they might have been excited, like: "omg, omg, wanna catch the liiiight!!!" and for the first 3 days there barely was any light... So, I will keep in mind that about the light.
I've put a fan blowing on them for the past 4 days and indeed, they seem stronger already.
I've started researching topping, yes, so thanks for mentioning.

Day 9
They are growing slow and drooping a bit - I think they might not have enough space. So I need to transplant (maybe to early...)
Also, I've discovered white spots all over in the soil (they might have been there from the beginning) but still this formed larger surfaces - looks like sugar crystals.
Next, checking the soil package (Plagron Seedling soil), it has small white spots all over and smells like mold.
Is it safe to transplant in a possibly molded soil?
I have another package of Biobizz Allmix - not checked to see if ok. Should I use that instead?
I mean, is it really mold or me getting paranoid? ))

putyourlightson said:

Day 9
They are growing slow and drooping a bit - I think they might not have enough space. So I need to transplant (maybe to early...)
Also, I've discovered white spots all over in the soil (they might have been there from the beginning) but still this formed larger surfaces - looks like sugar crystals.
Next, checking the soil package (Plagron Seedling soil), it has small white spots all over and smells like mold.
Is it safe to transplant in a possibly molded soil?
I have another package of Biobizz Allmix - not checked to see if ok. Should I use that instead?
I mean, is it really mold or me getting paranoid? ))

Click to expand...

Transplant? those are over watered and dead at day 9. That little seedling in a pot that big wont need to be watered for at least 2 weeks. Start in solo cups next time. Toss them start again and use coco. use the 400w hps but far away, if you can dim it down even better. Also germinate directly into the coco, forget the paper towel or water nonsense its not needed. You are way over thinking this.

Your plants arent dead lol

I agree , they look overwatered....start letting the pots dry out before giving more water. get used to the weight of the pot when its light and when its soaked, then you will know when it needs water. Small seedlings like yours dont require much water for survival.

Once you soak one of those pots, it shouldnt need water again for a good minute while they are small like this.

Not sure they are ready to transplant yet either, id give them a little more time. I usually wait until the leaves are at the edges of the pot, this means the pot is filling with roots.

Patience will be your biggest threat , keep it simple, water, let them dry out, water again. keep lights on set schedule, keep temps within a 15f swing ideally , keep rh at workable % and you will be fine.

If it were me I'd..

1. Scoop w my hand and bury deeper.

2. Use a couple CFLs/LEDs 4000k or higher on 24/7 till they get bigger & save some money.

3. Switch to 50/50 coco/perlite for final transplanting and feeding via bottled nutes or chemical nutes to simplify future troubleshooting.

But that's just me, lots of opinions, preferences of grow style, scenarios, ect, just trying to help and add solutions to pick from.

EDIT: I often get white mold growing ontop of my medium, no biggie. I'm hydro, but my coco has mycorrhizae and and I add neem meal as a pesticide.

You are over watering, only water when you stick your finger in and its dry, if it's moist you gotta chill.