How much longer?

[jackforest]

This is my first grow.

This plant, a bagseed from Jamaica, recieved inadaquate light for about 3 weeks and showed almost no growth. Adding a bunch more of cfls and mylar, she quickely showed improvement in size within days. I found it remarkable, the day I put her in there she grew more in a couple hours than the past week. Anyways, there's starting growth under the outer layers of the leafs and I was wondering how much longer until rapid veg growth.


...pics

[carinia]

veg is always fairly slow.. compared to the first weeks of flower it seems ;) Just be patient :)

[Mr. Clandestine]

I've never vegged out under CFLs only, but usually after the third week mine really start taking off. This is generally when they get their first transplant into much needed larger containers as well as their first taste of HID light. You should definitely have more than enough light to get them growing real fast pretty soon. If you look into LST, all of those side shoots that you're seeing will try very hard to catch up to the taller growth. By doing this, you're able to keep the stature of the plant much shorter, and you're ensuring that you'll get a canopy of buds, instead of a dense cola and a bunch of smaller "popcorn" buds.

I see a little bit of scorching happening on a few of the leaves... so I hope you aren't feeding it any fertilizers yet. It's still a little too young for that, IMO. Also, be careful not to fully saturate the pot during waterings... at least, not until you know the roots have spread out enough to warrant heavier waterings.

[jackforest]

Thanks a lot for your input. I think LST might be where I want to go with this grow.

Those burn marks are probably from fucking miracle grow nutes I fed it early on. This plant has gone through a pretty good deal of stress. Hopefully it won't hermie. I've grown more knowledgeable through my failure. This forum is a godsend. I started out lacking proper research. This first grow is more of a "learn from my mistakes" and have a strong second grow type of thing. Its in a 4 gallon pot and I water every 2 or 3 days. To be completely honest though, I'm not sure if I am giving it the right amount.

[probus]

i've got 13 bag seeds growing under mh 400 watt and i got turned onto Canna veg and flora product nutrients-- wow!-- i'm only using vev Canna now but all nutrient probs have been solved-- give it a shot if u can-- no nutes for the first two weeks, but after that dose it-- no offense Mr. C-- try Canna and i'm not a paid advert guy-- will send pix when i can-- Regards, probus

[Mr. Clandestine]

To be completely honest though, I'm not sure if I am giving it the right amount.

For the time being, you'll just want to water to a couple of inches out from the stem, and definitely not enough to saturate the entire pot. As it grows, the roots will spread out further into the soil, and subsequently you'll find yourself needing to water more frequently. Next time, I'd maybe think about starting out in a smaller pot, then transplanting to the 4gal after becoming rootbound. That's usually when my plants start their first true growth spurt.

And probus: No offense taken, bro... but plants grown in quality soil can generally go through about four weeks of growth before needing any extra nutrients. Unless you're working with a soilless medium, like peat/perlite/whatever, it's usually best not to fertilize until the plants start to look like they need the extra nutrients. Lots of soils are already prefertilized, so you have to be careful in the beginning not to burn the seedlings.

Take care. :jointsmile:

[jackforest]

Yea, the soil I used is Miracle grow potting soil. I'm sure it had enough nutes in it. I'm going with a more organic approach next time. I started it in 8z party cups and when I saw the roots swirling around the bottom of the cup and down the sides, I figured I would only transfer them once into a 4 gallon. Next time, I'll use a bigger starter perhaps? Thanks for your advice. One thing I haven't found much good information on is how much exactly to water. I try to be careful of overwatering. I'll water closer to the plant too from now on. Thanks a lot clandestine. I'll be posting more often with help like you at hand

[probus]

sorry mr. c., i should have said that i am using a soil-less mixture-- got it at a local greenhouse and i'll never use anything else-- it let's me know that all that's in it is what I put in it-- Regards, probus:thumbsup:

[Mr. Clandestine]

Yea, the soil I used is Miracle grow potting soil. I'm sure it had enough nutes in it. I'm going with a more organic approach next time. I started it in 8z party cups and when I saw the roots swirling around the bottom of the cup and down the sides, I figured I would only transfer them once into a 4 gallon. Next time, I'll use a bigger starter perhaps? Thanks for your advice. One thing I haven't found much good information on is how much exactly to water. I try to be careful of overwatering. I'll water closer to the plant too from now on. Thanks a lot clandestine. I'll be posting more often with help like you at hand

Hey Jack, glad I could help. Starting your seeds out in those cups is fine, but I think you might be better off transplanting into a slightly smaller container after that. I use 5gal buckets for my mothers and females, but everything else is grown from seed I keep in smaller containers. Saves me soil this way, and maximizes the space I have in my veg room.

If you're stuck with Miracle Grow, next time you may want to consider cutting it with at least 30% perlite. MG is a fine soil to use outdoors, much better suited for heartier non-cannabis plants and vegetables, but indoors it can really play some tricks on the grower... especially if it's just straight out of the bag, with nothing added to it to make it 'lighter'. Good crops can be grown with MG, though... it just probably won't be as dialed-in as it could be from having more control over the plants nutritional needs.

[jackforest]

If you're stuck with Miracle Grow, next time you may want to consider cutting it with at least 30% perlite.

Well I'm stuck with it for right now. Another transplant just doesn't seem worth it. Next time, Im gonna start off with a plain organic soil and then put into the rich stuff during veg. And about adding perlite, I found out that little advice from reading around this forum just after I planted it in the 4 gal. Hopefully I'll gain more from this grow this just knowledge but, if not, I'll be well prepared for next time.

[ojitos1985]

i see many cfl there, have you considered the idea of an 150hps system? or you can made reflectors, home made reflector of aluminium added to your lights, just and idea.

[jackforest]

Ojitos,

I know for a fact the second I have the extra cash to get rid of the CFL's, I'm buying a 400w hps system and growing multiple plants. I've seen some interesting home made reflectors, thats a good point. Right now, you cant really tell from the picture but, the top of the box closes and mylar is coated on the ceiling of it. That might be enough, maybe not. I can give maybe beer cans a shot...eh? I've seen it done

[ojitos1985]

well i have done beer cans reflector and they match perfectly with that cfl, and dont take too much time to build it up