A SEEDLING JOURNAL

[boss30349]

This is my very first grow attempt that I am showing pictures of below. I had a really spacious sized closet to work with, but I kept having to abort the mission because of different reasons. So for that reason of having to stop so often, I stopped.

1. An overhead view of the small setup that I once had.
2. Closeup of a Papaya seedling.
3. Closeup of a Blue Moon Rock seedling.

[boss30349]

This is my second attempt at trying to get something started! I germinated two seeds...sucessful! I then placed the germinated seeds inside of the rockwool cubes, put the tray cover over them, and turned the little flo. lamp on. I waited for 10 days, and still no sign of sprouts. So I'm guessing that the seeds are dead. I checked to see if there was any growth of the roots. But there was no signs of growth.

PICTURES
1. I placed the seeds inside of two labeled cups of water. One cup is labeled B.M.R. for Blue Moon Rocks, and the other is UK S. for Unknown Strain. I then let the seeds soak overnight.

2. I placed the seeds between two wet paper towels inside of a plastic bowl with a cover.

3. The seeds have popped sucessfully!

4. Picture of the final setup that I had for the seedlings.

[boss30349]

Sorry to make this an extra post, but here's the pictures for the above post!

[boss30349]

This is my most recent setup. I germinated 7 unknown seeds that I got from a bag of some decent mids. All 7 popped sucessfully, and I chose the best 5 from that batch that I wanted to plant. Only a couple of days later 4 out of the 5 sprouted from the peat pellets that I put them in. Now on Day 2 above ground.

QUESTIONS
1. Some of the roots are poking out of the bottom of the peat pellet netting, so what do I need to do next?? (Should I place them all in rockwool, like I have the one shown in the pictures? Or should I place them in my Waterfarm setup?)

2. When should I put the tray cover over the seedlings, and for how long?

3. Is the light I have shown good enough for seedlings or do I need more light? (I have a 400 watt MH available when needed.)

4. When should I begin to setup my 2 Waterfarm buckets for my seedlings?? (Can you start too soon to begin a seedling in a Waterfarm system?)



PICTURES
1. All 7 seeds popped with great success!!

2. Picture of how they are doing, now. Some of them are sick and not doing so well, and the others are doing just fine!

3. Picture of the two good seedlings that are doing well, and one not so well.

[boss30349]

HELP ME SOMEBODY, PLEASE!!!!:o

[deftdrummer]

1) If roots are popping out of the peat proceed to plant in your soil mix all the way up to the first set of leaves for each seedling. Keep mild fluorescent light (like you have) over the seedlings for the next few weeks. Refrain from nutrients at this time.

2) Tray cover is not necessary for such young seedlings. Seedlings require O2 flow around leaves and ample aeration of the roots just as any other growing plant at this stage. You will need super high humidity for when you clone that is what your tray / cover setup is for.

3) what is the wattage of your seedling light and what type is it? (fluoro, HPs, cfl, halogen

4) You are going to want to wait until your seedlings in the rockwool sprout out a good bit and have developed several sets of leaves. Do not jump the gun this is an important stage. Make sure there are 2-3 decent sets of leaves before putting the entire rockwool cube into your expanded clay or other medium. Dig out a small indentation from the clay pebbles and place the rockwool cube just so the bottom of the rockwool touches the water level at its highest point in the hydro setup. This will ensure your baby roots will not get too saturated so early. Again, do not use nutrients for a few weeks until they are showing many sets of leaves. Most of all, gauge the plant, when it needs food you will know. Look for the first signs of yellowing or droopage and start feeding if it comes to that point. Right about when you switch to nutrient feeding is when you should switch to your 400W HPS approximately and then its full steam ahead!

[boss30349]

Originally Posted by deftdrummer
1) If roots are popping out of the peat proceed to plant in your soil mix all the way up to the first set of leaves for each seedling. Keep mild fluorescent light (like you have) over the seedlings for the next few weeks. Refrain from nutrients at this time.

2) Tray cover is not necessary for such young seedlings. Seedlings require O2 flow around leaves and ample aeration of the roots just as any other growing plant at this stage. You will need super high humidity for when you clone that is what your tray / cover setup is for.

3) what is the wattage of your seedling light and what type is it? (fluoro, HPs, cfl, halogen

4) You are going to want to wait until your seedlings in the rockwool sprout out a good bit and have developed several sets of leaves. Do not jump the gun this is an important stage. Make sure there are 2-3 decent sets of leaves before putting the entire rockwool cube into your expanded clay or other medium. Dig out a small indentation from the clay pebbles and place the rockwool cube just so the bottom of the rockwool touches the water level at its highest point in the hydro setup. This will ensure your baby roots will not get too saturated so early. Again, do not use nutrients for a few weeks until they are showing many sets of leaves. Most of all, gauge the plant, when it needs food you will know. Look for the first signs of yellowing or droopage and start feeding if it comes to that point. Right about when you switch to nutrient feeding is when you should switch to your 400W HPS approximately and then its full steam ahead!

Thanks for the reply deftdrummer!

I don't know the exact wattage of the lamp I'm using, but I'm only using it for the baby stages. I was planning on using that little lamp until I switch to a 400 watt MH. What do I need to purchase for a decent growth during my seedling stage (watt/type)? Since the roots are poking through the bottom of the peat pellet, I'm going to cut a hole the size of the pellet and place the pellet inside of the rockwool. Until then I probably will do as you said and wait a minute before I place them into the WaterFarm. I willl keep using the same small light until someone tells me what I need. Thanks for all of the help!

A picture of the lamp I'm using (below).

[boss30349]

The plants are still healthy! I saw that roots were starting to come out everywhere. So I cut holes inside of the rockwool, so I can place the peat pellets inside of the hole. I kept the best three and threw away the two sick ones. After I see roots coming out of the rockwool cubes I probably will put the seedlings inside of the Waterfarm systems.

QUESTIONS
1. Is the lamp I have now (In the pictures below), good enough for my seedling stage? If not what should I invest in?

2. Should I leave the plastic/paper wrapping around the rockwool cubes on, or should I take the plastic wrapping off?

PICTURES
1. The roots are starting to come out through the bottom of the peat pellets.
2. This is the setup I have now and the lamp I'm using.
3. My Top 3 babies!

[socialistpete]

1. I can't tell what type of light your using from that pic but it looks like a regular flouresent house light. Most people use a shop light with (2) 40 watt bulbs. What light cycle are you using? 18/6?

2. Leave the wrap around the rockwool. Next time I would suggest using grow plugs, they wont get over saturated like the rockwool cubes can.

[bongerstonerd00d]

I agree wit Pete. Get a few 40-42 watt CFL's (6500 Kelvin) and put about 1-2 inches from the plants. Will keep em from stretchin, and get a fan blowin on them plants. Make em big n strong. And, purchase a pH/EC/TDS tester if you do not already have one. Very impotent fer hydro grows. Can get a Milwaukee SM 802 combo pH/EC/TDS tester off that e place auction site for 135 bucks (good deal). Deff need a way to test once you put in ya 'dro setup and start feedin sum nutes. Best of luck wit ya grow:rasta:




b0nger

[latewood]

just keep a 1/4" of water in the bottom of tray...no need to replace jiffy peelets anywhere. I ahve grown seedling 6-8" high using just a tray or ebb and flow. when you get 4-5 alternating nodes...then you put them into system on 400ppm of nutes. Not before. All they need now is water.

Pete. rockwool only has problem if you leave it sitting in water...It wasn't designed for that. It was meant for drip or ebb and flow...where water is cutoff for extended periods of time.

[boss30349]

The seedlings are starting to work on their second pair of leaves, now. Everything is going great so far!


Originally Posted by socialistpete
1. I can't tell what type of light your using from that pic but it looks like a regular flouresent house light. Most people use a shop light with (2) 40 watt bulbs. What light cycle are you using? 18/6?

2. Leave the wrap around the rockwool. Next time I would suggest using grow plugs, they wont get over saturated like the rockwool cubes can.
I'm using a 18/6 light cycle, right now. I heard that a 16/8 light cycle would produce more females, and a couple of other factors.


Originally Posted by bongerstonerd00d
I agree wit Pete. Get a few 40-42 watt CFL's (6500 Kelvin) and put about 1-2 inches from the plants. Will keep em from stretchin, and get a fan blowin on them plants. Make em big n strong. And, purchase a pH/EC/TDS tester if you do not already have one. Very impotent fer hydro grows. Can get a Milwaukee SM 802 combo pH/EC/TDS tester off that e place auction site for 135 bucks (good deal). Deff need a way to test once you put in ya 'dro setup and start feedin sum nutes. Best of luck wit ya grow:rasta:
I already have a pH tester, and I went and bought some CFLs. I am also about to get a fan blowin' on those babies as soon as I can. Thanks for the help.


Originally Posted by latewood
just keep a 1/4" of water in the bottom of tray...no need to replace jiffy peelets anywhere. I ahve grown seedling 6-8" high using just a tray or ebb and flow. when you get 4-5 alternating nodes...then you put them into system on 400ppm of nutes. Not before. All they need now is water.

Pete. rockwool only has problem if you leave it sitting in water...It wasn't designed for that. It was meant for drip or ebb and flow...where water is cutoff for extended periods of time.
Thanks for the help!

QUESTIONS
1. Is it too late to change to a 16/8, and would it be wise to do so?

2. Am I allowed to place the seedlings in the system whenever they show growth outside of the rockwool cubes?

3. bongerstonerd00d said that people use a few 40-42 CFLs, and I was wondering if I'm able to use the 4 60 watt CFLs that I bought today. Is it going to be too powerful for the seedlings, or do I need to get something stronger in the CFL class??

PICTURES
1. Starting to show the second set of leaves.
2. The CFLs that I bought today. Are these good enough?
3. The pH tester that I had bought earlier last month.
4. The duel-air pump that I will be using for the air-stones.
5. The airstones and hose that I will be using.

[boss30349]

I don't know what to do about the roots that are growing outside of the rockwool cubes. I'm tryin' to get a response from people, but there hasn't been any information or help for the questions I have. I'm going to go ahead and set up the four 60 watt CFLs I bought yesterday. I'm also about to put the rockwool cubes inside of the WaterFarm bucket, with no nutrients. The reason I'm doing this is because I don't have anything else to transplant the cubes into. Everyone wish me Good Luck!!

[latewood]

leave the roots cover so algae doesn't grow...you need to get them in a system. ooops Oh I see. you have e & f cover the tray so light cannot penetrate the trays and cause algae to grow all over including the roots.

[boss30349]

Since the roots were growing out of the rockwool cubes, I decided to place them inside of the WaterFarm systems. I made some more holes at the bottom of the top-bucket, since the pre-drilled ones were not enough. Then I placed the top-two plants (judging by how many roots were growing out of the rockwool cubes) inside of the system. I then added a rotating fan inside of the closet and placed 2 60 watt CFLs over one plant each.

QUESTIONS
1. Is the lighting that I'm using, well enough for the seedlings, or should I place a 400 watt MH over them? Right now they are currently around 14 days above ground.

2. Is there a smaller drip ring that I can purchase for the seedlings?

3. It seems as if the water from the drip ring holes are starting to sputter out, instead of flowing smoothly. Is this normal or do I have something wrong with my pump and system?

PICTURES
1. Some more holes that drilled in the bottom of the top-buckets.
2. A look at the roots before they are going inside the system.
3. A picture of how the seedlings look, while inside the system.
4. A look at the most recent setup.
5. A total look at how the closet is setup.

[fhydro]

Hi,
the air pump makes noise by the drip ring holes, it's normal, waterfarm makes noise. The problem is that the water won't go to the little roots because of the distance. You have to put a leaning plane under one part of the dripping ring to the little plant for approx 2 weeks and after it's OK with the normal system. Or you can water yourself for 2 weeks, or put a dripper with water pump. The idea is to help the root system to grow without the definitive ring.
OK ?
Fhydro

[boss30349]

***WILL MORE PEOPLE PLEASE HELP!! I SEE THAT NOBODY DOESN'T ANSWER ANY OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE, AND THIS THREAD HAS PLENTY OF VIEWS FOR PEOPLE TO AT LEAST GIVE SOME TYPE OF FEEDBACK!***


Originally Posted by fhydro
Hi,
the air pump makes noise by the drip ring holes, it's normal, waterfarm makes noise. The problem is that the water won't go to the little roots because of the distance. You have to put a leaning plane under one part of the dripping ring to the little plant for approx 2 weeks and after it's OK with the normal system. Or you can water yourself for 2 weeks, or put a dripper with water pump. The idea is to help the root system to grow without the definitive ring.
OK ?
Fhydro
Thanks alot for the feedback, fhydro! I usually water the seedlings myself since the drip is too big to reach, but when I let the air pump run, the water splatters over the whole surface area. So it pretty much reach the roots that are short and new. I will keep watering them for quite some time until I'm sure that the root system is decent enough to run under the power of the WaterFarm on its own.

The plants are doing just fine (I think)! I still have them under the 4 60 watt CFL. I'm still debating if I should move them under the 400 watt MH I have. Based on the pictures below, do they look like 16 day old plants, or am I behind? Please let me know what I need to upgrade to.

PICTURES
1. Plant #1 is doing good.
2. Plant #2 has a little more growth than Plant #1.
3. Plant #3 is showing the most growth, but I don't have it inside the system because it looks as if it is showing sativa-like characteristics.

[PatrickHenry]

yo brotha, get some more lights. the CFLs aren't going to be sufficient for too much longer. see how the package says 60 watt equivalent? it's a marketing trick, they're actually only 14 watts.

[boss30349]

Originally Posted by PatrickHenry
yo brotha, get some more lights. the CFLs aren't going to be sufficient for too much longer. see how the package says 60 watt equivalent? it's a marketing trick, they're actually only 14 watts.
Thanks for the info. I recently put them under my 400 watt MH, and I have the light around 3 feet above. I'm mad that I got tricked with the packaging.

I added some SuperThrive when I switched over to the 400 watt. The tips of the plant's leaves are starting to get a little yellowish after a couple of days later. I don't know if it was a nute-burn problem or the pH was wrong. Instead of trying to flush the SuperThrive out, I tried to adjust the pH to around 5.8-6.0. I hope that I did the right thing. I'll be updating soon.