Questions about first DWC grow

Hi DWC experts,

This is my first attempt at growing utilizing the DWC method. Before investing in some seeds, I figured I would experiment with this first. I took a bag seed, germinated it and grew it for a couple days in some soil. I then took the plant and placed her in the Rockwell and into the DWC. She has grown maybe a couple of centimeters (root only) over the past 4 days. She is just now barley hanging out of the netpot. The plant leaves haven't grown one bit. I've been running 18/6 on my HPS.

My setup:

1. 150 watt HPS
2. 3 gallon tut, 3 inch net pot (1 plant currently)
3. I am currently using FoxFarm Grow Big hydroponic plant food (3-2-6)

It's been 4 days and I haven't seen any "significant" growth. Is this because the plant is still in shock or am I doing something wrong? Is the 150 watt HPS even sufficient? I have read a lot about root rot, any advice on how to avoid this? My water temp maintains a constant temp that ranges around 75-80 degrees. Lastly, are my nutrients any good for vegetation? What would you recommend?

I just want to make sure I'm not wasting any time and doing this right as I feel like something is wrong. I might just be very impatient; sorry about all the questions. Thanks in advance.

-creep

your nute solution is a little to warm for 1, how much bubbles do you have going in there whats your ph at and whats your ppm,all of these things have to be in check or you may be wasting your time,how did you transplant from soil to rockwool? its best to start in rockwool in any type of hydro,you may have put the plant into shock going from soil to rockwool? good luck do some more reading ckeck your ph you want around 5.8 and I wouldnt use any nutes the first week to 10 days and then very mild nutes try to get your nute solution under 70 deg and you should be able to grow something good luck peace and grow on

snocat said:

your nute solution is a little to warm for 1, how much bubbles do you have going in there whats your ph at and whats your ppm,all of these things have to be in check or you may be wasting your time,how did you transplant from soil to rockwool? its best to start in rockwool in any type of hydro,you may have put the plant into shock going from soil to rockwool? good luck do some more reading ckeck your ph you want around 5.8 and I wouldnt use any nutes the first week to 10 days and then very mild nutes try to get your nute solution under 70 deg and you should be able to grow something good luck peace and grow on

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. I have the air stone (4 inch) right under the net pot so I believe it's getting enough bubbles. I don't have a ppm meter but my ph remains around 6.0. I should probably invest in one. Is it really needed or can I get by without one? I'm not too serious about this grow as it's sort of a experiment for me.

I took the plant out of the soil, washed off the soil from the root and stuck the plant in the rock wool. I'm assuming the plant is still in shock but I'll keep monitoring it.

Any more advice is welcomed.

Get a TDS meter. You absolutely need one to measure your ppm. They sell cheap ones on eBay that cost $20. They aren't as accurate as the expensive ones but a general idea of your water's ppm is important as you want to be feeding your plant optimal amount of nutrients. I used the $20 one and my plants are doing great (my first grow as well).