How long do i veg from seed?

[Aaron123]

Hello all im a new user that needs a bit of help. This is my second grow under lights (hopeing to do better this time round). Im using a 400w hps bulb and the plants are in clay balls with a watering system that waters for half an hour every two hours, ive got the light on for 22 hours and off for 2. ive started from seed and they are a week in (since sprouting up from cube) and they are looking good. im just wandering how long i should veg for since they are starting from seed? is 5 weeks long enough and then how long would i flower for. also one more thing im vegging under a hps bulb and ive heard that a mh bulb is better for vegging, would it be worth me changeing my bulb for the veg period and if so can a mh bulb fit into the socket of my hps bulb and run off the 400w ballast?
Any help on these matters would be greatly appreciated, i will take some photos of my setup so you all can have a look.
Kind regards Aaron.:rastasmoke:

Aaron123 Reviewed by Aaron123 on 12-20-2007. How long do i veg from seed? Hello all im a new user that needs a bit of help. This is my second grow under lights (hopeing to do better this time round). Im using a 400w hps bulb and the plants are in clay balls with a watering system that waters for half an hour every two hours, ive got the light on for 22 hours and off for 2. ive started from seed and they are a week in (since sprouting up from cube) and they are looking good. im just wandering how long i should veg for since they are starting from seed? is 5 weeks Rating: 5

[1puff2puff3puff]

You can veg as long as you want (usually from 3-8 weeks) the more you veg the bigger the plant, it double sometimes triples its size in flower. Mh is better for vegging but it can be done under a hps, just kinda stong, the mh provide a red spectrum for veg and the hps is has the red used for flower. You can use it if you hood is switchable, some are just for hps and other just for mh. One more thing, ive heard of 24/0 and 18/6, but 22/2 were did you get that from? Cant wait to see pics!!

Good growing!!!

[Aaron123]

Ive heard of 24/0 and 18/6 as well but to be honest i just made up 22/2 because i believe that a plant has to have time to rest but i think that 6 hours is more than enough so i decided to just leave it off off two hours to give them a rest but they still have a lot of light to grow i don't no if it will work any better I'm not really sure what I'm doing its just a lot of guess work for me its. Anyway here are some photos they are 10 days old from sprouting from the cube don't no if you can make it out but I've just noticed the leaves are curling a bit is that from to much heat?, the ones in the dirt are only there because I'm waiting for more supplies (cubes, clay balls) but i will put them in as soon as i get them. Is watering them for 30 min every 2 hours enough for them do you think?
Kind regards Aaron.:smokin:

[scagster]

Could be heat, how close you got the light to the plants?

[piglet420]

I'm going to follow this thread whole-heartedly because I am a new grower myself. I just ordered some sugar blossom from joey weed and I will be using hydro myself. I plan on germinating 5 seeds in grow plugs and then transplant them into my rig. From my understanding MH is better to veg in and HPS for flower. I will be getting a digital ballast that will accept both 400W bulbs for this task. As for the hydro rig I going to build this:

Grow Marijuana FAQ, Cannabis cultivation - marijuana growing tips & photos

I just ordered the tubs from a restaurant supply store. Everything should be in within a week or so and I will go from there.

I'd like to see a picture of your hydro rig.

Thanks and good luck!!

[Aaron123]

here are a couple more photos to give you a better idea of my setup. its just a tub with some pots put into it and a watering system that waters for 30 min ever 2 hours. The leaves are still curling and look like its getting worse the light is probly about 40cm away is this too close? other than that i think ill stick with the hps bulb for now. next time round im going to try the sea of green meathod been reading a bit about that, but if anyone has any better ideas for a big yeild your input will be appreciated.
will update photos weekly to show you how they are going. Still worried about the leaves curling though!!:smokin:

[Opie Yutts]

The first thing you need to do is get your PH under control. It needs to be about 5.5, and not fluctuate much. Wrong PH can cause many problems that you do not want to deal with.

Your watering schedule sounds fine.

And yeah, you can veg however long you want. Some people don't veg at all and harvest more often and yield less per harvest. Others grow a tree and get several pounds from each plant. Just depends on what's good for your situation. Normal is about 6-9 weeks.

Also you should be feeding at about 1/4 strength only after the first two weeks. Only a little bit of B1 like SuperThrive before then.

[Opie Yutts]

the mh provide a red spectrum for veg

huh? MH is for veg, but it's bluish, not reddish.

You can use it if you hood is switchable,

huh? Are you talking about a switchable ballast?

[piglet420]

Aaron,

Looks like yo're doing what I plan on doing in a few weeks. I'm still waiting on my seeds and some other stuff. I'm curious about the leaves turing up myself. I have no clue if I'm on the right track here but from what I have read the best method to use is:

1) Veg 6-8 weeks with MH
2)Flower same with HPS.

Also from what I read most people use the "hand" method for lighting, meaning hold your hand above top of the plants and feel the intensity of the lights. If it's not uncomfortable on your hand but still warm then I think you'll be fine.

I haven't gotten around to the PH portion of my reading but I would definitley listen to Opie as he seems quite knowledgable on the subject......read many posts of his and mostly I'll be following his advice.

I'm still watching so please post your results as I'll be right behind you.

Good luck!!

[Aaron123]

thank you so much for reply im going to put fresh water in tub and get the ph under controll ill post more pics in a few days to show you all progress.
thanks again.