Quote Originally Posted by melodious fellow
they were these little "flowering houseplant" fert spikes that came in a pack of 50 at the dollar store. contain like 10% total nitrogen but not all of it was usable or something like that... it said to put 3 little spikes in an 8 in diameter pot, which is what i have.

i don't know how it grew badly outside, except that now it is a bit chilly. like lows in the 40's at night.

i doubt it is too far in the flower stage, as the entire plant is so tiny and thin and straggly with only a few leaves.
I'd take the spikes out. Any type of fertilizer that comes concentrated like that are uncontrolled fertilizers and once your plant wraps its roots around it (and it will), it will most certainly become ill.

Speaking of roots, if you do add a fan (which is highly recommended) at any point in time, your plant will grow roots like crazy. So I'd suggest keeping an eye on the bottom of the pot for roots that are peeking out. This means the roots have run out of room and are looking for more nutrients.

Was the plant in the ground outdoors or did you have it in a pot?

Sometimes small straggly plants can EXPLODE into gorgeous females with big buds. You just have to give it the proper foundation to grab a hold of.

My suggestion:

1. Do a basic check on the pot and soil. You might want to do a soil run-off pH check with a little pH kit. Make sure you have no roots visible from the bottom drainage holes on the pot.

2. Get as much light as possible on it. I suggest 16hrs on 8hrs off. (Incandescent bulbs of ANY KIND are NO GOOD for anything. Put them in the garbage.)

3. Think about some better soil.