Please Diagnose My Grow Problem

Seeds: Seedsman White Widow
Light: 400w HPS
Week 1 Lighting Schedule: 24/7
Week 2 Lighting Schedule: 18/6
Soil: Fox Farms Light Warrior
Temperature: 78-82
Nutes: None Given Yet
Watering: Whenever dry, on average every 1.5 days. I don't soak the soil, I just water lightly.
Ventilation: One mini fan, a celing fan in my room, and windows open 30-40 degrees outside, doors to closet always open except for dark period.

One plant is turning a lighter green everyday. The other two are beginning to have droopy leaves. This is DAY 8. Yes, DAY 8 and the plants look really small.

Pics:

Growroom:
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7468/002syt.jpg

Plants (HPS On):
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5109/001zjw.jpg

Plants (HPS Off):
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1334/005cu.jpg

Plants (HPS Off #2):
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7819/003snz.jpg

Plants (Side View): Droopy
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3570/004ca.jpg

First off is there drainage in those cups? I can't see any holes but I do see condensation inside the cups. If there aren't holes then no air is getting to your roots which will definitely stunt growth and lead to rotting roots.

Second, you can't use clear plastic under an hps. Roots are sensitive to light and I can see your roots through the cup. Soon enough they will turn green and no longer function. This will also lead you to stunted plants.

Third, it looks like you should transplant into a new container. One that has plenty of drainage holes. My guess is that within days of a transplant your plants will take off. Keep in mind that the light warrior has zero nutes in it. What kind of soil are you going to use for the rest of the grow?

Just one growers :twocents:

Wow, I love you. When I was reading your response, my jaw dropped. Thank you SOOOO much, I got all teary. I didn't even realize that would be the problem. I poked like 4 holes with a nail in each cup. And yes, there is condensation. Should I just transplant into a 1 gallon? Im going to be using Ocean Forest and I have the Fox Farms Trio Nutes. One more thing. Theyre in Light Warrior now, even though it's day 8 I can transplant into Ocean Forest tomorrow and everything will be fine right?

Yea and I remember the first day it was growing sooo fast I really couldn't believe it, and then all of a sudden everything was halted. I just hope I can save them. I'm crossing my fingers.

I have no first hand experience with ocean forest, I hear that it runs a little hot. Maybe you would be well served cutting it with some of the light warrior you should have left. I use small peat pots for my seedlings and the moment they show that yellowing it's time for me to transplant. They usually take off in a matter of days.

Also, when you do transplant (soon I hope), I would water a bit first so the soil keeps it's shape and cut down the sides of your cups. Do NOT try to handle the plant itself. Fill your second pot with soil and put the same small clear cup in the middle to create a negative in the new soil. Drop your rootball in and voila.

Put some tape around those cups. Either way a transplant will make them start growing again and take away that droopy effect. Next time start off with some solo cup. (Beerpong Cups):cool:

How far away is the light? Those puppies can take it a little/a lot closer than I note in the first picture.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WashougalWonder

How far away is the light? Those puppies can take it a little/a lot closer than I note in the first picture.

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I try to keep the plant as close as possible without going over 82-83 degrees. sometimes thats 9", other times its 24". depending how cold it is in my room with the windows open. I need a huge fan.

I use peet pots for my seedlings and couldn't be happier with the results. If you want to continue using cups use the cheep red cups you see at BBQs, they work pretty well for seedlings and cuttings just not under HID lighting.