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Ok, first of all what is the best way to germinate? I am currently using the paper towel method, it did work for me before, but does a better way affect the future growth? Also should the stems start out long and weak. (I'm growing indoors) I just saw a picture on here of some plants and the leaves are huge compared to what mine were, (they were only about a month old with very small leaves like 3 or 4 sets. Please give me some opininions, I would REALLY be thankful...:confused: :smokin:
Ever try putting the seed in some soil and try watering it and letting the sun or your light hit it?
Some pix would really help! Also what light are you using? Growth rate depends a lot on the light source - spindly plants can be a symptom of inadequate light
better get better loght if your using cfl's make sure that there only about 2 inches away from the sprout
sounds like your plants are stretching. this plant is 2weeks old. i use 4ft flouros for veg and they are never more than 2inches from the plant top. notice how short the stem is. that is what you want.
Ah, I bet the light is the problem, Please don't laugh but it is a 120 watt sylvania spot grow, but we had it like 4 1/2 feet away from the poor plants, I really did do some research but I guess not enough. You should have seen the poor things they were so tall and scrawny, how do I get the leaves that big? In my other post I admitted that I killed them with WAY too much fert, I just got some seeds and am gonna try again. I'll take any advice. Thanks
i haven't even given that plant anything but r/o water. those sylvania lights are shit. try getting one of those "hollywood" light strips they put over sinks and plugging some 45 watt cfls into it. you can get 180 watts on them for under $30 all at home depot or lowes. that's not a bad start.
this is my current grow, what do you think?
(edited for spelling)
I think I'm jealous ha ha .Thanks for the advice, but what about natural light, like in a greenhouse window to start? My other houseplants really love it. and now to really show my ignorance, what does cfls stand for? I don't mind spending the money, but I need to know what to get w/o having to ask the friendly staff at home depot "Gee, I'm growing some pot and neeed to know what are the best lights to do so?" Thanks
cfl=compact flourescent
this is a good set up to start out, but there are many other options as well:
hollywood light strip:
you can get ones with 3,4, or 5 light sockets. they are cheaper at home depot but there website sucks so i'm using lowes to show you want a good set-up to start can include.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...830&lpage=none
cfls: i would use at least 40 watters. they will have 2 different wattages on the package the one you are looking at is the lower number (example 45watt cfl puts out 150watts of light, or so they advertise. it's still just 45watts!)
this is a 30 watt cfl:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...392&lpage=none
those bulbs should screw right into the light bar. make sure you have good ventillation and air circulation as well.
you could always buy a "real" grow light system from a place like this:
http://www.northernlightsgrowroom.com/index.html
or here:
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/
or here:
http://www.wormsway.com/categories/lighting.asp
you should really check this out before you plant your seeds as well:
http://www.growing-marijuana.org/extensive.html
it's a good resource for new growers.
good luck!
A lot of people have tons of differen't ways to germinate seeds. They are needlessly tedious. I grow in soil and my seeds are placed directly into the soil that they will be grown in. It's been years since I've had a seed not sprout. I have asked before, why someone would want to germinate in a glass of water or under a paper towl but the only response I have been given was something about better germination rates. Since I am achieving 100% germination by simply putting the seeds in soil I cannot advise someone to do anything differen't. Young roots are very fragile and needlessly moving them is not advisable.
Place your seeds about 1/4 - 1/2" into loosely packed moist soil. Keep the soil moist but not flooded. I place my pots on top of my fridge (for warmth)until they sprout. Once they sprout they are placed under the MH at a distance of 4 - 5 feet.
Remember that nature has been germinating seeds this way for millions of years. Usually when mankind tries to "improve" upon nature it doesn't work worth shit.
Keep it simple.
Laterz
i use the paper towel method. it's just so you don't waste time waiting for a bad seed to sprout. i always use a tweezer to put the germed seed into the soil. never had a problem this way. it's just personal preference.
I can't thank you enough for the info... I've learned a lot. I'm only gonna grow a few plants, I don't have the room. I checked out the links you provided. I never saw the one with all the info on growing and I've really been checking others out, learning bits and pieces. But I'm gonna get to it and and start reading...
good luck, the more you read the better your grows become! i spend an hour a day at least reading through all the threads on these forums. the knowledge i get is priceless!!!!!
I'm not exactly internet savvy, but I was looking for promix. Couldn't find any at lowes, or anywhere familiar to me. do you think they'd have it at smaller retailer's, if not is there anything at like Lowes or home depot that I can use?.I guess I may have to go someplace smaller. I'm looking for something with no fert,and I get that you have to add dolimitic lime, is that hard to get? Thanks again
enter your zip code here and it will tell you the closest retailer to you:
http://www.premierhort.com/eProMix/G...lerLocator.htm
the lime is in the lawn and garden section at lowes, h.d., etc. it comes in huge bags for like 6$ and it's enough to last a lifetime! just make sure it says dolimitic or dolimite lime and not hydrated lime, thats much more powerful and easy to overdo!
Hey thanks, the home depot right down the road had it and my seeds have germinated 10 out of 13 so far! I'm excited, i bought a cfl bulb, and my husband rigged it so the light is 2 inches away from the cups. so that they don't stretch. i also printed out that link you gave me on how to grow marijuana, it's funny, and informative. thank you again for imparting your wisdom upon me and others. you're the best justaseed!