First time grower needs a little help

[spfcm17]

Hey guys and gals, first time grower here looking for some help/tips.

I am not sure what strain i am growing, i am using seeds from a bag of "headies" someone sold me (was some pretty good weed).

I have a few questions, first question is....do my plants look like they need some help? Are they struggling? For the most part they seem somewhat healthy to me, only things i notice that may look unhealthy are that the bottom leaves died off, which i kno happens to the non mary j leaves (forget the name) but the bottom leaves, which have 3 leaves, are dying off/turning yellow, i was wondering if those are supposed to die off as well? ANd also my tallest plant has a noodle like stem, in which it bends about halfway up the stem and then goes up again.

Plants are 28-32 days old.

Also, i am using 3 14W 120V 60 Hz CFL's, and i kno that this is most likely not enough light, but im wondering how much more light i should add. (my box is about 2 ft by 1.5 ft) and they are still on a 18/6 cycle. Should i change the cycle now or soon or is it fine? The lights are about 8-10 inches from the tall plant, and about a foot from the medium plant. Should i lower/raise them?

Basically i am just looking for some pointers, and basically if im doing something wrong, for someone to tell me.

(i realize i should re-pot the 2 small plants, i just havent had time to go get more soil/pots...yea im broke/lazy this week, i will go out tomorrow most likely)

So any tips would be greatly appreciated =)

spfcm17 Reviewed by spfcm17 on 07-30-2009. First time grower needs a little help Hey guys and gals, first time grower here looking for some help/tips. I am not sure what strain i am growing, i am using seeds from a bag of "headies" someone sold me (was some pretty good weed). I have a few questions, first question is....do my plants look like they need some help? Are they struggling? For the most part they seem somewhat healthy to me, only things i notice that may look unhealthy are that the bottom leaves died off, which i kno happens to the non mary j leaves (forget Rating: 5

[Sensi Super Skunk]

The leaves that you refer to as non marijuana leaves, are termed embryonic leaves. Them yellowing and then falling off are normal.

I couldn't help but notice that some of the leaves of your plant are displaying characteristics of fert-burn/over-fertilization (burned looking tip, downward leaf curve, dry and crispy to touch).

You're using Miracle Grow aren't you? Those soils come too concentrated for cannabis. I probably would have recommended baking dirt from outside to use.

Soil leeching could help.

Yes, you do need better lighting. And if you were to buy more cfl, please purchase those of a warmer spectrum. These will help with the most important phase of the plant. The flowering stage.

Your plants look sativa dominant to me. I'm guessing that they may double in height when you initialize a 12/12 cycle.

I've never grew before, but have researched a lot.

[irydyum]

I've never grew before, but have researched a lot.

I just thought that part right there needed to be repeated.

Why would you offer advice if you have no practical application experience?

BTW, those leaves are called "cotyledon".

SP, you should add as much light as your space will allow you to. More light will give more/better/healthier plants. At the very least up the 3 bulbs you have to a higher wattage, 42 watts of CFL isn't much at all. Most of the guys on here having success with CFL are using upwards of 200+ watts and even more for flowering.

Do a search for CFL grows on here and read over a few grow logs. I'm sure you can find the combinations of CFLs that others have experience using.

Best of luck.

[Pepdog07]

I think that by the way ur leaves on ur plants are cupping/canoeing down like that is due to overwatering or a possible ph problem. How many days between watering do u do? Fill out the troubleshooting form and post in this same thread to pin point whats going on for a more direct answer. As far as the lights go u want them to be as close as u can without burning them, your plants show no signs of burn as far as i can tell. Put ur hand underneath the lights at the canopy of the plants and hold it there for a couple minutes. If ur hand becomes to hot bear the heat then the lights are to close. Anyway im no pro yet at growing but I got some experience, hope this helps:thumbsup:

[crabbyback]

Miracle Grow pre-fertilized potting soil is fine to use but you have to know your nutrients very well and be very careful not to over fertilize. Depending on the plant, you may not even need to feed during the veg cycle, the MG may take care of it. However, you will need additional nutrients to bloom the plant, and that's where you may run into trouble.

I would NOT suggest getting outside dirt and baking it. Always spend the money for decent soil and amendments or else you will regret it, sooner or later.

[spfcm17]

yes i have been using a miracle grow potting soil, and when i water i once in a while threw in a small bit of plant food, but i stopped when i realized the leaves may be burning because of this. I checked the pH of the water i have been using, and it was around 7 which i believe is normal, i could be wrong. And when it comes to watering, i usually water maybe 2-3 days? I am a little unsure of how much to water tho, i usually fill up a .5L water bottle and split that between the 3 big plants, and maybe all of them, so i am not quite sure if i am over watering, or if it is just too many nutes at this stage.

Also was wondering when i should change to a 12/12 cycle. And if i were to guess i would say that this was a sativa plant as well from what i smoked of this weed before i planted the seeds. As for the lights, would anyone suggest using a lighting fixture that doesnt have the metal reflective sort of dome i have on mine? Or does this not matter much, if at all?

[spfcm17]

I was thinking of getting 4-5 42W CFL's, to get at least 200W+ in there, which may still not be enough, but will be MUCH more than i am using...my question is, anyone have suggestions on what kind would be best? I was thinking of something like these EcoSmart 42 Watt (150W) Soft White 1 Pack - ES5S842 at The Home Depot. Seems like it might get a little expensive if i am buying 4 or 5 of these, but if thats how much its gunna be i guess it will be worth it. Anyone have any suggestions, looking at my "grow box" as to how/what i should use to light? I have looked around at a few lighting threads, and it is hard to choose my lighting because people use diff types of bulbs, or they have a larger box ect.

Sorry if i seem like i am asking you to do everything for me, I know there are some grouchy people here

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[crabbyback]

yes i have been using a miracle grow potting soil, and when i water i once in a while threw in a small bit of plant food, but i stopped when i realized the leaves may be burning because of this. I checked the pH of the water i have been using, and it was around 7 which i believe is normal, i could be wrong. And when it comes to watering, i usually water maybe 2-3 days? I am a little unsure of how much to water tho, i usually fill up a .5L water bottle and split that between the 3 big plants, and maybe all of them, so i am not quite sure if i am over watering, or if it is just too many nutes at this stage.

Also was wondering when i should change to a 12/12 cycle. And if i were to guess i would say that this was a sativa plant as well from what i smoked of this weed before i planted the seeds. As for the lights, would anyone suggest using a lighting fixture that doesnt have the metal reflective sort of dome i have on mine? Or does this not matter much, if at all?

(Blue highlighted text by me)
Alright, I'm going to do a bit of your work for you. However, you need to spend some serious time reading the FAQs on this site. All the questions you have asked have been answered many times over.

First, about your pH. Soil grows need to stay in the 6.3 ~ 6.8 pH range. At 7.0, your plant is complaining. You need a way to check the pH of your irrigation water (including any nutes and suppliments) and you need to be able to adjust it either up or down. There are commercial preparations available.

Second, about watering. You can depend on two things to help you decide when to water. One is your finger, the other is your arm. You stick your finger into the soil about an inch or two. If the soil is dry, then check the weight of the pot. Is it heavy or light? If heavy, then you probably shouldn't water. If light, water completely until you begin getting runoff from the drainage holes. Do not let your plant sit in this drained water indefinitely, get rid of it. When the plant is watered thoroughly, use your arm and pick it up. How heavy is it? Remember this. This is what your container and plant feels like when watered. Now, let plant dry out fully before watering again. Use your finger and arm as needed.

Third, you change to 12/12 light cycle when you want the plant to start blooming. You can only bloom mature plants (ie, a 2 week old seedling won't want to bloom).

Fourth, I can't help you on the CFL bulbs or reflectors as I don't use them.

Here's a link to get you started on your research. http://boards.cannabis.com/basic-gro...ml#post1577669

Good luck!

[spfcm17]

Thanks for the info CB, I just saw where someone was saying that a pH of 7 is normal...then someone with a brain told them otherwise (didn't notice before), so thanks for clearing that up. Ill work on lowering my pH a little bit, i heard adding a drop or 2 of vinegar in the water lowers it, i will have to check that with mine.

Ive been working on my watering and it seems to be getting a bit better, but I still have to work on finding the right amount.

[crabbyback]

Well, pH 7.0 is neutral, neither acid nor alkaline. MJ wants her soil to be on the acid side of neutral, in the 6.3 to 6.8 range I gave you above.

By the time your first grow is over, in a few months, you will have that watering thing down pat...