New to growing, general indoor questions

[kennedy63]

1. I am starting seeds in a jiffy seed starting cube, how soon should I transplant into a larger container, and when I do, what size should I transplant to?

2. Are heat lamps bad? or lights sold at home depot specifically called "Plant Lights" bad? I bought a plant light and it was blue and killed my 2 inch tall seedling in one night. any info?

3. I bought fox farms "Grow Big Liquid Plant Food for vegetative growth" when should I start feeding a new seedling with it? the package says to start within 2 weeks of sprouting or transplanting, suggestions?

4. Is "Miracle Grow Moisture Control" a good potting soil for marijuana?

5. How close should I keep a 150 watt soft white CFL to the plant? it has 2600 lumens


and any other beginner wisdom would be greatly appreciated. :-)

kennedy63 Reviewed by kennedy63 on 11-12-2008. New to growing, general indoor questions 1. I am starting seeds in a jiffy seed starting cube, how soon should I transplant into a larger container, and when I do, what size should I transplant to? 2. Are heat lamps bad? or lights sold at home depot specifically called "Plant Lights" bad? I bought a plant light and it was blue and killed my 2 inch tall seedling in one night. any info? 3. I bought fox farms "Grow Big Liquid Plant Food for vegetative growth" when should I start feeding a new seedling with it? the package says Rating: 5

[Rusty Trichome]

1. I am starting seeds in a jiffy seed starting cube, how soon should I transplant into a larger container, and when I do, what size should I transplant to?

Are you rinsing the cubes with properly ph'd water before germinating? Once seedling is a week or two old, can transplant directly into a gallon pot.

2. Are heat lamps bad? or lights sold at home depot specifically called "Plant Lights" bad? I bought a plant light and it was blue and killed my 2 inch tall seedling in one night. any info?

Heat lamps and Mercury Vapor lights are bad. (heat, wrong spectrums)
'Plant lights' are generally a waste of money...I'd go with cfl bulbs or a small MH light for veg. HPS for flower.

3. I bought fox farms "Grow Big Liquid Plant Food for vegetative growth" when should I start feeding a new seedling with it? the package says to start within 2 weeks of sprouting or transplanting, suggestions?

Depends on the soil...If not using the Miracle Grow (or anything pre-ferted)...I'd follow Fox Farms directions.

4. Is "Miracle Grow Moisture Control" a good potting soil for marijuana?

From personal experience, when using it for transplanting seedlings, you can and will overdose them if you add nutes for the first month or so. But once you get used to it, it works fine. During the winter, for me, t'was better to use the regular Miracle Grow. (not the moisture control formula) Careful with overwatering, as it is designed to hold moisture longer than a "normal" potting mix. (allow soil to get almost dry between waterings)
Having said that...there soils that are easier to use.

Later, when transplanting from a 1 gallon to a three or five gallon (filled with MG)...wait about two or three weeks before adding nutes.

5. How close should I keep a 150 watt soft white CFL to the plant? it has 2600 lumens

Put your hand between the plant and bulb. If it's too hot for you...it's too hot for the plants.

[LuciferN]

From personal experience, when using it for transplanting seedlings, you can and will overdose them if you add nutes for the first month or so. But once you get used to it, it works fine. During the winter, for me, t'was better to use the regular Miracle Grow. (not the moisture control formula) Careful with overwatering, as it is designed to hold moisture longer than a "normal" potting mix. (allow soil to get almost dry between waterings)
Having said that...there soils that are easier to use.

Later, when transplanting from a 1 gallon to a three or five gallon (filled with MG)...wait about two or three weeks before adding nutes.

I've seen a lot of case of seedlings dying because of Miracle Grow soil even with no added nutriments, I personally think, you should try to use any non pre-fertilized soil for seedlings once they got 4-5 nodes you can transplant them into the other medium.

[kennedy63]

So do you think the fox farms bottle means to start it within the first 2 weeks after planting?

is there any specific brand of unfertilized soil or name you can recommend?

[kennedy63]

and what is the cause of sagging leaves? solution?

so transplant from a jiffy cube to a gallon at 1 to 2 weeks? then when do I transplant to a 3/5 gallon? and I rinse the jiffy cubes with tap water, is that ok?

[Rusty Trichome]

I've seen a lot of case of seedlings dying because of Miracle Grow soil even with no added nutriments...

Bummer.

Personally, I've seen a huge percentage of seedlings thrive using the MG soils. But then again, I actually had to learn to adapt. But my main problem was in getting clones to root in the stuff. I never really had issues with seedlings. The soil I use now, is an organic that is even richer than MG. (Filthy Rich by Dr. Q)
Everyone kept telling me MG won't work. They were wrong. :jointsmile:

For the first year or so of my gardening experience, the only soils I had access to was either SuperSoil or Miracle Grow blends. (the only good nute was Miracle Grow All Purpose) MG soil is the lesser of the two evils, but it is not an unworkable product. Clean and consistent.
Matter of fact, soon after I learned to use it, a new nursery opened-up locally, with a wider selection. It took a lot of convincing to wean me off the MG. (price was the ultimate factor...it's expensive shit around here) Each soil you use, you'll need to make adjustments, and react according to the plant and it's heath. Same goes for all additives and nutes.

If price is of no concern, have the good shit shipped-in. if MG is all you've got to choose from, it is workable.

[LuciferN]

So do you think the fox farms bottle means to start it within the first 2 weeks after planting?

is there any specific brand of unfertilized soil or name you can recommend?

I use Pro-Mix, but there a lot of choices on the market, just be sure it's certified that there is no weed in it. Just get a good quality and you should be all right.

and what is the cause of sagging leaves? solution?

so transplant from a jiffy cube to a gallon at 1 to 2 weeks? then when do I transplant to a 3/5 gallon? and I rinse the jiffy cubes with tap water, is that ok?

Dropping plants can be a lot of things but usually it's over or under watering

I don't really know for the cube (I'm not using them). But for transplantation you should wait until the plant is starting to root bound (anywhere from 4-6 weeks depending), you can check it by carefully removing the from it pot. Here a little guide I've wrote to help people with transplant: Transplant clones - Quick Guide

Bummer.

Personally, I've seen a huge percentage of seedlings thrive using the MG soils. But then again, I actually had to learn to adapt. But my main problem was in getting clones to root in the stuff. I never really had issues with seedlings. The soil I use now, is an organic that is even richer than MG. (Filthy Rich by Dr. Q)
Everyone kept telling me MG won't work. They were wrong. :jointsmile:

For the first year or so of my gardening experience, the only soils I had access to was either SuperSoil or Miracle Grow blends. (the only good nute was Miracle Grow All Purpose) MG soil is the lesser of the two evils, but it is not an unworkable product. Clean and consistent.
Matter of fact, soon after I learned to use it, a new nursery opened-up locally, with a wider selection. It took a lot of convincing to wean me off the MG. (price was the ultimate factor...it's expensive shit around here) Each soil you use, you'll need to make adjustments, and react according to the plant and it's heath. Same goes for all additives and nutes.

If price is of no concern, have the good shit shipped-in. if MG is all you've got to choose from, it is workable.

I won't argue with you, I'm quite sure it is possible to work with theses soil and seedling/clones but for a new grower don't you think it will be easier to start with some old plain soil, learn a little bit more about the plant, before going to something you have to "work with"...

[kennedy63]

I actually just went to a local nursery and bought filthy rich by dr q and I got a black gold seedling starter, i figured I would start the seed in the black gold in a jiffy pot and then transplant it into a bigger container filled with the filthy rich, does that sound alright? or does it stress the plant to change the type of soil?

[LuciferN]

There is not really a problem mixing two kind of soil for the same plant... I've been using a cheap soil the 1st time for my seeds and then transplant to something better.

[Rusty Trichome]

Switching is fine, especially since the plants needs change as it starts to mature. You're going to love the Filthy Rich, but go a tad easy on the nutes for the first couple of weeks till you (and the ladies) get used to the stuff.. :jointsmile: