First Grow ... Need Peace of mind

Hey all, First grow and need a couple ?'s answered.

Planted Dec. 15 Germanated in rockwool & humidity dome- sprouted dec 18 and 19
( 3 weeks old from planting )

Setup -

4' x 5' x 6' high
mylar
2.5 gallon dwc w/airstones - 3.5" netpots w/hydroton
temps 77F - 82F
Humidity 38-42
PH 5.8 - 6.0
5- ice femenized
2- blackjack femenized
Lights 2-400watt metal halide 1 with hp conversion
Light 18" from top plants
Exhaust and intake
Fan circulating
Nutes - AN 2part a&b 10ml per gal. - Fulvic 8ml per gal - B52 6ml per gal ( started on 1/5 )
Never pruned , lst , topped
Approximately 5" tall

Questions

A) Why are fan leaves so large? Can I remove for lower branching?
B) Why are the tops of the plants closed like praying?

Thanks in Advance
DRSICE:vader1:

more pics

Regards,

DRSICE

They look fantastic. Some strains simply have huge leaves, nothing more than good healthy growing conditions and the genetics.

Top leaves grow straight up then splay out, thats normal unless they're not unfolding or something, but yours look great.

Resist the temptation to ever cut a fan leaf stem! If you do, you will stunt the branch coming from that node, and stunt the entire plant since it then has to use energy to heal. Also thats like chopping a battery off. Less energy storage and photosynthesis capability.

Instead, try to gently train the fan leaf "fingers" down below the new branclet leaves if possible.

IMHO looking at your pics, I'd say don't change a thing.

Plants look REALLY nice. If there's anything I'd do, it might to raise your humidity a bit, what you have right now is great for flowering, but I think in veg you'd want it around 50-60%. I might also get your lights a little closer to the plants, 400's can normally be around 12" from the tops. Otherwise looks great, grow on!

Thanks MisterE And LiquidMagik

I have arranged some of the fan leaves so the new growth can be free. ( and there is alot of it) some as long as 2-3 inches.

As far as humidity i cant get humidifier and have raised it by using hot water in my water jugs, but is temporary fix for few hours. Will the low humidity be ok?

PS I have moved ths to the Hydroponics forum as a grow log and will update with pics later.

Regards,

DRSICE:vader1:

Check out current grow log

http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=97659

I wouldnt flip about the humidity personally. Open bowls of water WILL help some regadless of it's temp. My humidity was barely over 20% for most of my vegetative growing.. it's just terribly dry here. Basically if it's fine for humans the plant will be fine.

Also on the fan leaves, just keep after it day to day and try to let the light hit the branch tops. Thats part of the fun in my opinion.