SHORT Plants

[Dawg56]

Last month was too broke to buy seeds from a "cannabis seedhouse", and a friend came up some seeds from another friend that told him that it was a variety of medicinal strains, and "good luck" in New Mexico, because these were "outside" strains that did well in northern Washington state, and he didn't have much faith in their vitality in our climate.
Anyways, I am grateful for the gift, and immediately germinated the seeds and put them in dirt on Feb. 26. The problem is this, a couple look normal, but a few look really wierd.They've been out of the dirt for three weeks, and two look cool, but three (out of six, half!), just won't grow any taller it seems. As you can see in the pic's, the first couple sets of "sun-leaves" are already outside the diameter of the five gallon buckets they're in. Only 5 inches tall, but they measure 15 inches across. Is this normal? My friend thinks that they should be a lot taller (close to a 1:1 aspect ratio) Bless his heart for turning me on, but I'm not convinced that he has any farmer blood in him at all. Also, there are a leaf or two on nearly every plant that looks kind of "bubbly". My buddy says that I may have gotten them too close to the lights at some point, and I should worry about why they haven't grown taller instead of why they aren't taller.
Can anyone help? Can anybody tell me what strains they might be? Is it too much light? They are presently recieving 20 hours per 24, and I've only fed them once with a 15-15-15 fertilizer
Thank you in advance!!:thumbsup:

[Vancefish]

They look pretty good to me! :thumbsup:

I'd usually guess at one month they need repot, however you started in huge pots. So that isn't it!:wtf:

Thus I'd have to guess you need nutes aimed AT MJ. I'd suggest either Fox farms, or BC. Both are made FOR MJ. Here's what I bought:

https://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=513&navid=12

This is a hydroponic kit, but I am growing in soil just like you. I mixed it very weak due to this. Currently at 4 weeks of flower and mixing the flowering nutes at 1/4 what's suggested for hydro. Then only using nutes every third watering.

You can get your lights as close as doesn't cause your hand any heat discomfort at the same distance too.

I'd also suggest giving more info, like humidity, what type of lights, what temps are you seeing with light on and off, AND what were the nutes you gave?

Good luck

[unknown505]

what kind of dirt did you put them in? you also need some good nutes like fox farm, osuna nursery sells it and so does ahl. They look good, males gernerally sprout up alot quicker then females so watch the fast ones for nuts.

[bigtopsfinn]

Are the slower growing ones sharing pots? Each plant needs its own pot, otherwise one will kill the other fighting for food and water.

What kind of lights are you using and how far away? How are the temps?

[coolslayer]

I can't give you any better advice than you're already getting here,but as Vance said,more info would be helpful.

[coolslayer]

They look pretty good to me! :thumbsup:

I'd usually guess at one month they need repot, however you started in huge pots. So that isn't it!:wtf:

Thus I'd have to guess you need nutes aimed AT MJ. I'd suggest either Fox farms, or BC. Both are made FOR MJ. Here's what I bought:

https://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=513&navid=12

This is a hydroponic kit, but I am growing in soil just like you. I mixed it very weak due to this. Currently at 4 weeks of flower and mixing the flowering nutes at 1/4 what's suggested for hydro. Then only using nutes every third watering.

You can get your lights as close as doesn't cause your hand any heat discomfort at the same distance too.

I'd also suggest giving more info, like humidity, what type of lights, what temps are you seeing with light on and off, AND what were the nutes you gave?

Good luck

Is this thumbnail a picture of your grow? It might be time to start feeding them molasses,if you are not already.

[Totah Sam]

You need a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content for the growth period. something like 30-15-5. I agree, you need to find plant food that's geared towards Cannabis. Foxfarm has really good product.

Also, keep your light cycle consistent. Usually for veg you need an 18-6 light to dark and then switch to 12-12 for flowering.

And in conclusion - on the Molasses - Make sure it is black strap/unsulphured molasses. Plantation is usually the best and is completely organic. It has all the nutrients your plants need for denser and bigger buds. You can purchase it at any health food store. I got mine at Wildly Natural Foods here in Farmington.

[coolslayer]

Thanks for the assist,Sam.

[Totah Sam]

Thanks for the assist,Sam.

I've been doing a LOT of research. :D

[coolslayer]

Maybe you should research where religion came from......just saying.

[coolslayer]

I suggest you start by watching,"The God Who Wasn't There".

[Dawg56]

They look pretty good to me! :thumbsup:

I'd usually guess at one month they need repot, however you started in huge pots. So that isn't it!:wtf:

Thus I'd have to guess you need nutes aimed AT MJ. I'd suggest either Fox farms, or BC. Both are made FOR MJ. Here's what I bought:

https://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=513&navid=12

This is a hydroponic kit, but I am growing in soil just like you. I mixed it very weak due to this. Currently at 4 weeks of flower and mixing the flowering nutes at 1/4 what's suggested for hydro. Then only using nutes every third watering.

You can get your lights as close as doesn't cause your hand any heat discomfort at the same distance too.

I'd also suggest giving more info, like humidity, what type of lights, what temps are you seeing with light on and off, AND what were the nutes you gave?

Good luck
Thanx Vancefish! I came across an aeroponic clone machine with a closet and a Botanicare nutrient kit at a yard sale last weekend, but I haven't given my girls anything, as I'm letting the soil dry a bit. I was concerned that transplanting 2 or 3 times would stress and shock, so I went for the full size container right away. Only 2 of my 5 gal. buckets had double occupancy, but I split them up right away. Currently everything is fairly dry, so I'll feed and water tommorrow.As far as lights, they've been under two 400w MH bulbs from the git. Right now I'm hanging four bulb 4 ft. flourescents on three sides. Temps are in the high 50's to the low 70's, and humidity, I'm not sure.
Here's a few more pics taken last night. a couple have gained some heighth (12 inches tall), but three of them are only 8 inches tall, but 18 inches wide.I'm really not as paranoid as it sounds, but is this normal? I was under the impression that they would shoot upwards fairly fast, and a couple have, but a few look like a piece of carpet, they're so short.
Thanx for your time man, I do appreciate it.

[Vancefish]

Your plants look great. You are growing a strong indica strain too(those leaves are FAT).

As for not stretching to be tall. THAT is what most of us are trying to pull off. Some strains DO grow taller then others, But we indoor growers are always fighting to keep the plant short. So, if your doing that by accident?? Great job!:thumbsup: It's probably your good lighting.


Is this thumbnail a picture of your grow? It might be time to start feeding them molasses,if you are not already.

That IS a pic of my very first plant. I'm feeding it B.C. hydro nutes (going in soil) at about 1/5th hydro strength. The kit includes a synthetic molasses. However I plan to use the real stuff for the next few weeks until flush. I'll post new pics too!:thumbsup: (now at 32 days of flower)


Temps are in the high 50's to the low 70's, and humidity, I'm not sure.


Your temps are a bit off. I'd aim for mid 70's during lights on. Then mid 60's(at the lowest) at night. letting it get down into the 50's, could cause you some problems.

Pics 2,3 then 3,4 are the same shots. One without the flash the other with it.

[Dawg56]

Outstanding little number Vancefish! Looks like a start to a forest! And if you don't mind me askin', what strain is that? I'm stoked to see what I end up with, but even a little more to start some White Widow. Those are some nice plants Vancefish, thank you!

[Vancefish]

Outstanding little number Vancefish! Looks like a start to a forest! And if you don't mind me askin', what strain is that? I'm stoked to see what I end up with, but even a little more to start some White Widow. Those are some nice plants Vancefish, thank you!

Thanks for the compliments! :thumbsup: a forest of ONE!:D

Like yourself these are an unknown strain. I'm in Colorado so I have a couple clones I bought at a dispensary here that are vegging. However the plants I have in flower came from a friends yard grow last year. She only smokes the kind, so I'm sure they will be good. It's just impossible to know what the mom seed came from, let alone what male pollen got her.:D I called it Kinda wild in my grow log.

As for growing WW. That is a serious stretcher! I was planning to try growing that one at first too. However since then, I've learned this strain can triple in height during flower. Plus per sq m, it is a semi low yielder. This being the case, you will want to LST or do Scrog to keep the plants short and maximize yield!:thumbsup:

[coolslayer]

Weel done Vance! Those girls look great.


:thumbsup:

[Vancefish]

Thanks coolslayer. However that is just one plant! I grew three, but one (the one I topped) turned hermi, and was put to rest.:gunfighter2:

The third plant I grew was natural. It's really tall! I also don't think it'll yield as much, but I'm a noob so who knows. :D

The people and threads on this site will surely teach a person (takes a lot of reading though). I owe this grow to the people on this forum for sure. Plus the few issues I have had. Someone was always able to help.:thumbsup:

Here's my other one(To tall). I'll likely use LST or Scrog a lot in future grows.

[coolslayer]

Awesome pics!

[Dawg56]

OK guys, I'm convicted to start a grow log. I think it'll be "Dawgarten 1".

I want to extend thanx to all.

[stra8outtaWeed]

and remember that girls will stay shorter than males typically...males grow taller to drop their pollen onto the shorter females:smokin:

[Randm999]

I made the mistake of planting several week old babies in large ( 3 gal.) pots. I then watched as they didn't get any larger for weeks! I have since discovered , that what would happen, is the plant was putting down roots to fill the pots. So after 3 weeks or so they then started growing again. I too was worried that I had either damaged the plants somehow, or the I was doing something else wrong. They are all doing great now at week 4 of flower. 36 plus inches and covered with flowers and the triks starting frost.

Mine were short, indic predominant strains, I transfered them to flower when they where 16 to 18 inches ( at about 6 weeks into veg) and used a good organic fert/nute system.

Don't dispare, the plants look healthy, if you have a good soil, then around week 4 or 5 you can start giving them 1/4 to 1/2 streangth nutes and see how they react to it.
( I use botanicare organic )

[Dawg56]

I made the mistake of planting several week old babies in large ( 3 gal.) pots. I then watched as they didn't get any larger for weeks! I have since discovered , that what would happen, is the plant was putting down roots to fill the pots. So after 3 weeks or so they then started growing again. I too was worried that I had either damaged the plants somehow, or the I was doing something else wrong. They are all doing great now at week 4 of flower. 36 plus inches and covered with flowers and the triks starting frost.

Mine were short, indic predominant strains, I transfered them to flower when they where 16 to 18 inches ( at about 6 weeks into veg) and used a good organic fert/nute system.

Don't dispare, the plants look healthy, if you have a good soil, then around week 4 or 5 you can start giving them 1/4 to 1/2 streangth nutes and see how they react to it.
( I use botanicare organic )
Right on!, I think that's what happenned to me. I've been under the impression that transplanting was stressful to a plant, so I just went ahead and started in a big pot. I've just started using Botanicare as well. What's freakin' me now though is that I've got 10 plants now at nearly 6 weeks at 20/4 and they range in height from 16 inches to 8 inches and I'm afraid of starting the flowering stage too soon for some of them. My grow room isn't divided, or I'd start some and bring the rest in when they got their height.
Another thought I'm entertaining is to move some outdoors to flower, but I'm not sure that they wouldn't try to start veggin' again. Is it possible to get two harvests in one year using the sun? Any ideas?

[Randm999]

When I moved my plants int 12/12 they where 16 to 18 inches, now I've got monsters. Next run I will be moving them into flower 8 inches to 12 inches to avoid the overcrowding in my little 8ft x 8ft area. I am also enetertaining the idea of doing more of a sog type grow. But as I am running several different strains with different grow rates that will be a problem.
To answer your question, whether you move them to 12/12 at 8 inches, That is purely a matter of choice on your part, it won't hurt the plants, they will just be smaller, sometimes this is a desired result as space restrictions dictate.
Whether you put them outdoors depends on your enviroment. It's still a little early for my location. I have some babies that should be ready for outdoors in 4 or 5 weeks, They should be 8 inches to 14 inches tall by then and ready for transfer.
Any plants that you started into flower befor that time will start vegging again, if you let them go to flower, as that is a direct corelation to lighting. Longer days = veg. shorter days = flower. Marijuana is particularly sensitive to light changes in this regard. This won't hurt your plant, just slow developement by several weeks.
On an aside I am going to be planting my outdoor plants into seven gallon smart pots, as the ground here is much to rocky for me to try digging into it. I am curious as to how that will work out.
Good luck with your grow

[Dawg56]

When I moved my plants int 12/12 they where 16 to 18 inches, now I've got monsters. Next run I will be moving them into flower 8 inches to 12 inches to avoid the overcrowding in my little 8ft x 8ft area. I am also enetertaining the idea of doing more of a sog type grow. But as I am running several different strains with different grow rates that will be a problem.
To answer your question, whether you move them to 12/12 at 8 inches, That is purely a matter of choice on your part, it won't hurt the plants, they will just be smaller, sometimes this is a desired result as space restrictions dictate.
Whether you put them outdoors depends on your enviroment. It's still a little early for my location. I have some babies that should be ready for outdoors in 4 or 5 weeks, They should be 8 inches to 14 inches tall by then and ready for transfer.
Any plants that you started into flower befor that time will start vegging again, if you let them go to flower, as that is a direct corelation to lighting. Longer days = veg. shorter days = flower. Marijuana is particularly sensitive to light changes in this regard. This won't hurt your plant, just slow developement by several weeks.
On an aside I am going to be planting my outdoor plants into seven gallon smart pots, as the ground here is much to rocky for me to try digging into it. I am curious as to how that will work out.
Good luck with your grow
Thanx Randm999! Here in my location , it's 50's at night and 60 to 70's in the day. What I was trying to ask is how to determine the photoperiod for the next couple of months and if it did go back to longer light than dark, if it would give up making flowers?
It's a lot of speculation till I sex them, might be a bunch of boys!
(I shouldn't talk like that huh?!!?)

[Randm999]

The daylight hours should be longer than 12/12 now and getting longer. I wouldn't worry to much If they re-veg I would guess thats a plus. I have heard of plants putting out 'bannanas' on the top of the plant if left unharvested, as this allows the plant to self polinate. Kind of a survival technique for the species. I'm not sure about this though.

We learn by doing different things and trying new things. Some of the best dicoveries have been by accident.

You can just keep you plants in veg as long as you like until you are sure that conditions are optimum, Its what I do. If they look like they are getting too large than trim them for clones, as one would do for a mother plant.

That all said, I personally would not put a flowering plant outdoors at this time of year.

There are some good articles about taking a plant that has been harvested and putting it back into veg for another cycle of growth that I may try this year. It consists of trimming the leaves and roots, re-potting it and getting it to reveg all over again. Might be worth more investigation. It would seem that it would save on time and costs in the long run.