Simple nOOb instructions for growin' da dankness

Okay that's a good question. I've answered it elsewhere, but it should be included in this thread. IT depends partially on personal preference and grow style, but my reasons are:
-Very easy to stabilize temps when heat from your lights is not a variable over time
-I can visit them at any time, day or night, without fear of stress
-No timers to buy or have fail on ya
-Going from 24/0 to 12/12 is a big heads up to the plant FLOWER NOW! as it is the first time it has ever seen darnkess. That's why I go directly, with no intermediate step.
Also, a slick trick for the outdoor crowd is to keep plants on 24/0 until August 1 and then put them outside. They will begin to flower immediately seeing darkness for the first time, and finish before frost.

Thanks but i have 1 more.

Does 24/0 effect the growth & if so how (what should i expect) ?

I weill take advantage of the sunlight during the daytime and revert to the lights after T

I haven't noticed a difference personally. Many growers will tell you that they give some darkness to enhance root growth. As a variable, there are more important ones, though, so you should use whichever is convenient for you.

I only ask because i was told that 24/0 would lead to the stems being less bulky and stretching & the whole reason for me using 24/0 was to try and grow shorter plants with more bulk.


Was i told wrong & also is my thinking bollocks (wrong) if my take on it is wrong then i'll revert back to 18/6 so long as it wont harm them (they're only week old seedlings)

That may be true; I don't know actually. With the seedlings you have going already, I would at least keep them under whatever light schedule you are already on until they become sexually mature, since changes are a source of potential stress.
If you plan to continue working with the same strain, it might be worth doing a side-by-side comparison with a few identical clones off the same mom, half on 24-0 and half on 18-6, to see how each group reacts, and take the result that you believe to be better and run like that in the future.

quick question if I may, so please if anyone knows the answer be my guest...

After placing germinated seeds in small containers to sprout, do you immediately have light beaming on the soil surface? Or are you supposed to wait until they sprout and rather put them in a dark - warm place until they pop, then turn the lights on? I have heard both ways, which one correct? :)

Also is suran wrap on top a good idea in the pre-sprouting phase?


Thx

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Diplomat

quick question if I may, so please if anyone knows the answer be my guest...

After placing germinated seeds in small containers to sprout, do you immediately have light beaming on the soil surface? Or are you supposed to wait until they sprout and rather put them in a dark - warm place until they pop, then turn the lights on? I have heard both ways, which one correct? :)

Also is suran wrap on top a good idea in the pre-sprouting phase?


Thx

---

Edit: Totaly read your post wrong,you put them straight under the lights mate,if you have small pots you should take advantage of the Sun and stick them on your window ledge.

Thanks for the reply, I now have them under sunlight so i'm hoping that should do the trick. Seems I have been struggling just to get the damn things to sprout, this is now my second batch after a first failed attempt. I'm also beginning to think im planting them to deep(1 inch)... just another thought. :jointsmile:

How about that suran wrap? Good to cover the pots with or no?

Also: Would MG Potting Soil be too strong for a young seedling? That's what i'm using ( couldn't find starter soul )

Thanks for the input!

Seeds do not need any light until they break the soil surface.
Direct sun will dry out the soil faster, and if you don't keep on top of it, can potentially dry out the vulnerable sprout.
Saran wrap is not a good idea. You need air flow over the soil surface, or you will get fungus.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stinkyattic

Seeds do not need any light until they break the soil surface.
Direct sun will dry out the soil faster, and if you don't keep on top of it, can potentially dry out the vulnerable sprout.

---

I had a nice seedling that i put into a shady area but after the heat wave came through even with wet soil and watering after the 94 degree day, the lil guy burnt up without a fight. learned my lesson :thumbsup: