Just starting out wonder if i am doing the right stuff

[keith1234]

hi there i have just recently started growing big bud and need some help off the pro's. right i have had my plants in about 1 week and 2 days and there have got the 4 leafs on the top but there are not opening. i was wondering if this is normal. my set up is

I box with tin foil aroudn the side, with a plant pot in the middle with baby bio compost. when i planted the seeds i pushed them down half my finger depth. For light sorce i have a energy saving UV bulb i purchased from maplan the picture of this is at http://www.maplin.co.uk/?homepage=go&userid=arm_CJtexthome2greatprices&AID=10351788&PID=1119829 , i have left the light on during the first 5 days of growth on 24/7 and have recently changed its pattnes to 4 hours of dark and 20 hours of light. my watering methords are once a day with a cup of water with half a tea spoon of suger in it. I am goign to be purchasing a mini fan.

Is there any thing i am doing wrong at the moment and can any1 please tell me how to imporve my set up?

thank you

[BagOnics]

Sugar? I have never heard of that. As far as watering goes I tend to underwater rather than over water. If I see the leaves sagging I know its time to give that thing some water and it perks right back up within an hour. You dont want mold or root rot. Make sure you put some quarter size hols in the side of the box for cross ventalation. If you can get Mylar it is much better than tin foil. Tin foil believe it or not is pretty low as far as reflectivity goes and is a big conductor of heat. So that box might get as hot as 90+ farenheit especially with those UV bulbs. How many Lumens are those bulbs? If under 1600 go get some compact Fluoros. If you have the money get a ballast and a Metal Halide bulb. Mylar is about 10 bucks for 10 yards.

As far as the watering goes you will get a feel for your plant. Just remember under water is far better than over water. If you feel your plant looks poorly dont fear just water it and youll see itll be as happy as you will be during harvest. Good Luck and I hope I helped.

[keith1234]

k thanx i will e doing that, how long does it normally take for the leaves to fully open and for more to grow?

[Sp00ner]

How large and how many pots are you using? I have to say that a cup of water per day seems like an awful lot of water for seedlings. I added just about 1/2 that to my recent sprouts and am paying the price right now. What are you using the sugar for? I do know that adding small amounts of sugar can promote beneficial bacterial growth, but I think that constant addition of sugar will be a but too much. Until you become familiar with watering and when to add more, you should consider an inexpensive moisture meter. I have recently purchased one and was a bit suprised at the moisture of my soil.