Ready for feeding? PICS

Hello all

I think my plants may be ready for their first feeding. This is based on the yellowed appearance of some of the new growth. They have been above ground for about 12 days. The soil is 50/50 by volume pre-fertilized potting soil and vermiculite. They are under 110w of daylight CFLs. I have been watering every 3-4 days. I have been misting daily, especially those without their second set of leaves.

Any advice would be appreciated. I know the soil mix was far from ideal and plan to change that when they transplant. I am considering fertilizing with 1/4 concentration Alaska fish emulsion because I am interpreting the yellowing to be a sign of nitrogen deficiency. Should I wait longer to avoid burning them?

Thanks

First picture is from this morning and the yellowing is most visible on the one in the lower left corner.

Second picture is from yesterday and is a blurry picture of an injured leaf (cause unknown).

Third picture is of the outside of the 2' x 3' x 5' grow box (shows vent fan and closet).

Fourth picture is the inside of the grow box (shows plants, circulation fan, passive intakes, thermometer, and timer. Lights are raised out of view.)

Fifth picture shows lights (3 x 30w Twister and 1 x 20w Twister CFLs in a clamp lamp) lowered to normal distance from plants.

negative sir.

Do not feed until your plants have 5 nodes. Feeding any soonder then this will result in a very angry/dieing plant. The yellowing you're seeing is probably burn from the pre-added ferts and emulsion.

serious? i was soo about to say the oposite... i personally have always started to fert mine as they break surface. (keep in mind tho id use a 1/2 dosage of miracle gro at 3drps/litre)

i figure plants will love nuts at any point. just watch the od in seedlings, since theyre still fragile

My friend always starts his earlier. As soon as they receive their first set of true leaves and begin photosynthesizing, he begins administering a low-concentration nutrient solution. He typically begins at about a 10% solution, then 25%, then 50%. He will continue at a half-strength solution until they are transplanted into larger containers.

I've followed the practice of waiting until the two seed leaves die off before fertilizing. This makes sense because the plant is essentially growing off the nutrients provided by the seed until all nutrients are used up. By fertilizing you're just adding even more nutrients into the soil when the plant isn't using them and will lead to problems later.

Well as you can see everyone else has different theories. The popular one (or atleast seems popular on the boards as its the one i read the most) is don't fert until you've got 5 leaf nodes.

what kinda nutes should ya use, as in, im goin to the store in an hour. what would i look for?

sorry to go off topic, but where could i find nitrogen for soil. my leaves are still yellow at the bottom.

The rule of thumb is when the 5th node is starting. You shouldn't go by the cotyledons turning yellow because some plants grow very large and keep them nice and green.

Typically, its the 5th node, however, each strain is different, you have to watch your plants, they will tell you when they are hungry. Now with that being said, you need to get those main stems a little more 'bulky' to support the plant. I see that you have a fan in there, but it looks like that the air movement is missing your plants and that is why you have to keep them posted up. First thing i would do is to get those stems thicker, and at the 4-5th node, or when your plants are starting to show signs of nute def, then you add the nutes. Sending a plant into a lockout at early age will result in hermie, male plants, and i dont think thats what your looking for.....i could be wrong tho.

i give my plants all the nutes they want in small increments, until the first sign of burn near the bottom. at that point, i flush VERY LIGHTLY and keep it at that nut level till theyre used up.

Here are some current photos showing slight development of discoloration. Let me know if there are angles that would be more helpful.

I haven't fertilized at all yet aside from the potting soil mentioned in my first post. It was turf king potting soil and the bag lists the following nutrients:

Total Nitrogen 0.10%
0.02% Ammoniacal nitrogen
0.01% Nitrate nitrogen
0.07% Water insoluble nitrogen

Available Phosphate 0.05%

Soluable Potash 0.05%

Iron 0.10%

Would these levels have caused nutrient burn? Should I adjust the feeding when the time comes as a result of any of this?

In order to make better use of the oscillating fan, I have placed the tray of pots on top of some small cardboard boxes. They are now positioned well within a consistent stream of air. I am too afraid to leave it turned on any setting but low though as even with the wires holding up the stems the plants are somewhat violently blown around. I moved the fan and plants to opposite sides of the box for now. I am open to any other ideas for the narrow stems.

looks quite healthy. turf nuts may be a bit strong since theyre for grass that noone cares about...

It seems as tho the nutes in the soil are starting to show some stress in the plant, but nothing that the plant cant handle. Keep feeding straight water for awhile and you will see that your plants will take off nicely.

mj can withstand rediculous stress (stress is still bad tho, m'kay?)

itll be ok in long run

I transplanted five of the plants about 9 days ago into 6" round pots that have little nubs for feet and four rectangular drains.

New soil mix:

First, about 5 gallons of the following:
40% perlite
35% earthworm castings
20% vermiculite
5% sphagnum peat moss

1 tablespoon hydrated horticultural lime
1/4 cup bat guano
1/3 cup kelp meal

Since the transplant I have watered three times. I tried foliar feeding once with kelp meal a few days ago, but I didn't notice an effect.

Yesterday in the morning I fed four of them with their last watering using 2.5 gallons of water with approximately 2 cups of earthworm castings, 1/3 cup kelp meal, and 1/4 cup bat guano. These were added to the water in a 5 gallon bucket and stirred briefly just before use.

The fifth one was watered the night before and has not been fed aside from the transplant and foliar. It is the last picture below.

Also, the closet has been reorganized to allow for a 400w HPS. This is causing heat issues.

The oldest plants are about a month in vegetative growth now. They are bagseed so I don't know how big they should be.

Should I continue feeding every watering now?

Male identified?

It is only about a month old. Lighting has been 18/6. Recently added 400w HPS and haven't been using it exactly "sunrise to sunset" as the closet has been reorganized mid-grow.

Yup. For sure a male. Get rid of him quick.