Crooked Seedling?

Okay so heres my set-up.

I have a small area in my closet that I am using to grow some plants. 5 plants to be precise. I have 2 100w florescent bulbs above them, and tin foil lining the entire grow area. I've been using Miracle Grow Plant fertilizer, I used Clear bottom halves of 2-liter bottles to start them in. I also have a dual window fan set to low inside the grow area for air circulation. I know all this is not the perfect growing conditions, but They have sprouted and ARE growing. And besides, thats what I can afford at the moment.

I have been researching growing indoors for a while now,and this is my first try at it. ( Unfortunately, I placed the lights too high to begin with until I read to lower them. Therefore, three of the plants have grown to about 4-5 inches, and the other two are at about 2-3 inches.) But I just have a couple questions for you all. Any help would be much appreciated.

Anyways, first question, and the reason I started this thread. I woke up this morning,and went to check on my plants. They have all been growing straight and everything, except when I checked on them, my tallest seedling (Almost 5 inches) was suddenly crooked (It's now kind of growing straight for about an inch, and then to the side for about two inches,then up straight again to the top.) My questions are, will it grow back to normal? Is there anything I should do to help, and what may be causing this?

Okay, second question. I have many mixed answers to this question. How often should I water and fertilize? Right now,I water them with regular water one day, and fertilize them the next, alternating. They seem to be doing pretty well, but I just want to be sure I am not over or under watering/fertilizing.

And finally, the weird one. I planted only five seeds, but this morning, when I checked, it seems like I have a sixth plant sprouting from the soil. Any ideas as to an explanation? I'm not too worried about it, the more the merrier, but I just was wondering.

Oh, and the seeds I used are from some decent grass I got a while back.

Well, thats my questions. Once again, any help would be appreciated. It you need any more details, please fell free to ask. I will be checking back here frequently. I am so pleased that I found this site. everyone here seems to know what they are talking about. I learned most of what I know here. :thumbsup:

Thanks in advance! Keep that green burning! :stoned:

Oh, and I forgot to mention. I also have some miracle grow water in a little sprayer bottle that I spritz the leaves and stems with every so often. Could this help? Hurt? Suggestions?

Hey,

Ok lets see if i can help, from what you've said i assume your plants aren't very old (around a week or two?) with only one or two sets of leaves? If thats the case, it just sounds like they're stretching for the light and the weight of the leaves has bent the long weak stem. What you need to do is replant getting as much of the stem under the soil (but not any leaves) that'll give it more strength, you need to make sure the lights close enough to avoid any more stretching.

Watering and fertilizing, again this varies with age, if they're young seedlings i'd probably water a little every 2-3 days, they don't need much water at that age. You don't need to fertilize for the first month in my opinion, and when you do start fertilizing introduce it at 1/4 strength and build it up slowly.

No idea where the mystery plant came from lol

I wouldn't use fertilizer on the leaves myself but i couldn't say for sure if this would do any harm. But if you do spray even with just water it's best to do it when the lights have just gone off.

Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hudson88

Hey,

Ok lets see if i can help, from what you've said i assume your plants aren't very old (around a week or two?) with only one or two sets of leaves? If thats the case, it just sounds like they're stretching for the light and the weight of the leaves has bent the long weak stem. What you need to do is replant getting as much of the stem under the soil (but not any leaves) that'll give it more strength, you need to make sure the lights close enough to avoid any more stretching.

Watering and fertilizing, again this varies with age, if they're young seedlings i'd probably water a little every 2-3 days, they don't need much water at that age. You don't need to fertilize for the first month in my opinion, and when you do start fertilizing introduce it at 1/4 strength and build it up slowly.

No idea where the mystery plant came from lol

I wouldn't use fertilizer on the leaves myself but i couldn't say for sure if this would do any harm. But if you do spray even with just water it's best to do it when the lights have just gone off.

Good luck!

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Thanks for the advise. I'll replant tonight. Also thanks for the other tips.