First time growing: How's this look?

We're working with a very tight budget and this is our first time growing cannibis. I've learned most of what I know from lurking the forums here and watching a BUNCH of grow videos. I'd like to thank everyone here on rollitup before I ask any questions. Thank you!

Okay, here goes. We are using 3 small CFLs (i don't recall the wattage but they are probably around 24 each) inside of a small grow box to sprout four plants. We will most likely be purchasing some better CFLs for later on, but this is all we have to work with now. The first two images are the plant that is doing the best. I don't know much about the process but I'm very happy to see these results after only a few days. The last two images are the only other plant to sprout of the four, so far. The soil we are using is from last summer and it was out in the freezing cold for some time. We had to thaw it out before we could even use it. Hopefully that won't cause any problems, although I don't know why it would.

Are there any pointers anyone has for us at this point? What should we be paying attention to this early in the process? And before anyone links me to the 101 questions already answered thread, I've already read it over numerous times.

nice start. if you've done your homework, which you obviously have being this far on post #1, then the only pointer i could give you would be "keep up the good work".

fdd2blk said:

nice start. if you've done your homework, which you obviously have being this far on post #1, then the only pointer i could give you would be "keep up the good work".

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Thanks, that means a lot.

I forgot to mention, these are just commersh bag seeds, but I figured it would be the best to start off with. We are planning on getting some NL#5, Big Blue, and White Widow after we get the kinks smoothened out of the whole process.

Another question, does anyone have any kind of estimate as to when we should move these sprouts from their 1/2 20oz bottle homes to a larger 'pot'? I figured it would be a week or two before this would be required, but as I said this is our first time.

ur using a clean cup so when u see the roots hitting the bottom... its time to Transplant into a bigger pot
but ur plants are looking good... Make sure u keep the lights about 1 inch away so they dont strech to much then u will have some healthy plants

The soil looks like mud. How is water drainage?

MajoR_TokE said:

The soil looks like mud. How is water drainage?

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Drainage has been iffy in the two 'pots' containing the seedlings that have yet to sprout. I added a couple more drain holes on the bottom to the sides of the cups on those two and it seemed to help the drainage a bit.
The two sprouts are doing well, and drainage doesn't seem to be a problem with them.

I just started them on their first six hours of darkness. Is it a bad idea to get them on 18-6 this early, or is it moreso personal preference this early in the game? Also, for future reference, is it alright to water them before you turn the lights out or should you wait until the lights are on?

I would 18/6 it, this has provided me better results.

cho0b said:

Drainage has been iffy in the two 'pots' containing the seedlings that have yet to sprout. I added a couple more drain holes on the bottom to the sides of the cups on those two and it seemed to help the drainage a bit.
The two sprouts are doing well, and drainage doesn't seem to be a problem with them.

I just started them on their first six hours of darkness. Is it a bad idea to get them on 18-6 this early, or is it moreso personal preference this early in the game? Also, for future reference, is it alright to water them before you turn the lights out or should you wait until the lights are on?

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18/6 is good for veg state. Do not disturb the plant during the dark period, water just after the lights come on.

Is this potting soil you are using or dirt?

is the first faze of growing the longest part or am i just being impatient. They have sprouted and are about 2", do they start to grow quickly soon or is there something i dont know?

ManInTheShed said:

is the first faze of growing the longest part or am i just being impatient. They have sprouted and are about 2", do they start to grow quickly soon or is there something i dont know?

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The flowering stage takes longer.

MajoR_TokE said:

18/6 is good for veg state. Do not disturb the plant during the dark period, water just after the lights come on.

Is this potting soil you are using or dirt?

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scott's premium topsoil with peat moss. it was outside in the winter weather and the bag had a tear in it so a lot of moisture got in there. we thawed out the bag (mostly) but we were pretty antsy to get everything started so the soil was a bit saturated when we started things up. do you think this is what has caused the other two plants to not sprout yet?

Bro be patent, you said that it was a bag o schwagg, or just some 'merc? dont worry, the ones that didnt sprout still may sprout, give them time, these arent the strongest seeds you are growing here, just take your time, ask a lot of questions if you have them, like you are, and rememner, dont over water, dont use anything more than 1/2 strength nutrients, and pay close attention to your new babies, they will, in one way or another, tell you what they need. Its your job as a proud parent to recognize those signs and act upon them. And remember, its a plant, so the change you make today, might not be seen for up to a week (ie, nute burn, over/under water, etc) so most importantly, be patient, the are after all called a WEED for a reason.

thanks for the advice.

have some cookies and milk.

AllmanBro said:

Bro be patent, you said that it was a bag o schwagg, or just some 'merc? dont worry, the ones that didnt sprout still may sprout, give them time, these arent the strongest seeds you are growing here, just take your time, ask a lot of questions if you have them, like you are, and rememner, dont over water, dont use anything more than 1/2 strength nutrients, and pay close attention to your new babies, they will, in one way or another, tell you what they need. Its your job as a proud parent to recognize those signs and act upon them. And remember, its a plant, so the change you make today, might not be seen for up to a week (ie, nute burn, over/under water, etc) so most importantly, be patient, the are after all called a WEED for a reason.

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Another update:

First three images are plant A. The last two are plant B.

Is the drooping of the two big leaves normal? Am I under watering them?

I found a bag of bone meal in my garage! Has anyone used bone meal in their soil/with their chronic?