First Grow/Set-up, SoS for assistance!

[uncleweed]

Hey guys,

This is my first grow/setup. I planted some seeds around January in a set up discribed around here for 100% germination. So far I have a pretty good sprout (planted on Jan 1st, and one other rising which was planted about 2 days ago). I checked some rapid rooter plugs and a few more seeds are emerging, the other ones seem dead.

In any case, the sprout has been around the same size now, for about a week, is something wrong? I am only witnessing small growth (half a centimeter) around the top, however the leafs are still the same size.

Attached pics are of the unit I have been keeping them. I have been following all instructions in that post to the T. I am keeping my PH around 6.

All in all, I am looking forward to this experience. I feel that this is my calling in life!

The only thing I can come up with is that the plant is not growing because the rapid rooter plug does no help the roots grow, they are already sticking out. Could it be that the leafs stopped growin because the roots stopped growing?

uncleweed Reviewed by uncleweed on 01-13-2010. First Grow/Set-up, SoS for assistance! Hey guys, This is my first grow/setup. I planted some seeds around January in a set up discribed around here for 100% germination. So far I have a pretty good sprout (planted on Jan 1st, and one other rising which was planted about 2 days ago). I checked some rapid rooter plugs and a few more seeds are emerging, the other ones seem dead. In any case, the sprout has been around the same size now, for about a week, is something wrong? I am only witnessing small growth (half a centimeter) Rating: 5

[uncleweed]

Oh, I want to make one exception...sry my bad, a few days ago I read up somewhere that the sprout can be stretching because of lack of sunlight. So I put some lights on it (2 x 100 watt CFL), but that didn't help... also the rooter plugs were always drying out.

So I mounted the lights in the cover for the dome and added a CPU fan to move air out. Since I didn't have any 7 volt adapters, I hooked the fan up to the battery of my drill, it worked pretty good, but I took the dome off.

Now, I know I fucked with this a lot, which may not have been a good idea in retrospect, however in a weird way I feel like Brianin that episode of Family Guy when he found out he had a son and he because totally obsessed with him.

Anyway, the additional pics are where the plants are going to go into for veg, I am also finishing up a cool spot for the summer room, will post pics later.

Thanks in advance on the help.. if any

[uncleweed]

Also, the spring "tub" has another computer chasis fan in there, I tested it and it moves the air pretty fast, I can also move a second one in there if it needs help.

This one is actually powered by a real power adapter.

you know... cheap ventilation

[uncleweed]

alright, this is type o galore... sorry guys, new keyboard.

1 fix: Now, I know I fucked with this a lot, which may not have been a good idea in retrospect, however in a weird way I feel like Brian in that episode of Family Guy when he found out he had a son and he became totally obsessed with him.

[lazer420]

Hey man, I have a few suggestions, some insight and some ideas. First off, I use the rapid rooter plugs too. I think that they may be too wet. I find that I get best results rooting clones and seedlings under a humidity dome without the bubbler. Just keep em moist. Moist, not soggy or siting in an inch of water. The water that I do give to them is mixed with "olivia's cloning solution" not to be confused with the rooting gel. This stuff is packed with rooting hormones, speeds up root formation, and wards off molds and other root rotting things. Once they have developed a healthy root structure, move em on in to the bub.
The one seedling looks stretchy. How far away are the CFL's? Flouro's can be hung very close to the plant because it produces such little heat. In fact, your plant tips could be touching the bulb for days with little or no effect.
If you put a fan semi close to the plant so that it's always dancin' it will help to strengthen that long stem.
If you have any other questions let me know.
Peace.

[uncleweed]

Lazer,

Thanks for the info man.

The CFL's were pretty close to the plant, I had a splitter for the bulbs, also 200 watts in that closed space, should be plenty right?

The Case fan that I have in there makes the sprout wiggle and dance.

One thing I was concerned about though when running the lights and the fan is that mosture does not build up on the inside of lid.

So, when I run the bubbler and the heater, some water evaporates and drops of it are on all the walls and the inside of the lid in the container. If I run the lights and the fan, that doesn't happen. My assumption is that, this is the whole point of the bubbler right? Thats how the water gets to the rapid rooter plugs and to the roots...

Also, what is a good time to put the seedling under the lights?

There are so many resources online on proper plant care, but there is much less information in regard to seedlings, which is a bit discouraging.

[uncleweed]

Ladies and Gents,

Attached are some more pics of the running set up. It looks like sprout 1 (the taller one) is making some improvements, it grew a little bit overnight.

Sprout 2 (the short one) is on the way as well.

[uncleweed]

Well gentlemen and ladies, #1 is no longer with us.

Unfortunately I think I drowned it, what ended up happening is I think that the roots drowned. Every once in a while, the rapid rooter plugs would become very dry and I would dip them into the water for a second or two to moisten them up. I think that it may have done it. Can someone advice if this is recommended or not?.... I guess not, but I want someone to confirm the death if possible.

#2 is growing tall, however I have a feeling I am going to run into the same issue as with #1 (not the dipping, the thin stem and lack of growth). Picture of #2 attached, need a few pointers.

[uncleweed]

Hey guys, alright, so #2 has been on her own for a few days and not doing so well, I think she is going to kick it soon. Looks like both attemps failed miserably, can anyone provide any suggestions?

[uncleweed]

Well, I planted new seeds in new rapid rooter plugs, changed the water, lets see how it goes. One thing I am trying differently now is I raised the level of water in the germiator. This should make it easier for mosture to get to the rapid rooter plugs, it is about half an inch away from the plugs.