The experiment...going wrong?

[thebeat]

Right so new enough to the whole thing, i.e. site included so dunno if this is posted in the right spot or whatever but have a few bag seeds and did the whole germination in the paper towels and two popped the shell and I in turn popped them in some compost soil for seedlings and covered it with clingfilm... so I was thinking happy days ...however the first seed which is now about 5 days post germ has sprouted which (I am pleased to inform peeps about) but the tip is brown and since day one of sprouting has shown no real growth...its under a cfl on its own and on an 18/6 cycle but no growth since then really and no intial leaves just a green shoot! should I be worried and counteract with some more experienced suggestions or should I give it more time? Its only bag seed and I had about 10 but like a little plant would be cool...perhaps it gets to cool at night and I am not maintaining a constant temp?

anyhow the other seed I have just potted after germ and the waiting on some action with that...
So I am bored waiting so i got the rest of the non-germinated seeds and popped them in the water and most sank...so surely that means the testa has been broken down and they are good to go ...I have risked potting them too and just have them covered with cling film and in the room now too...(currently down about a day). The last two seeds that didnt germ i put in a glass of water and put away in a cupboard and well unsure what to do with them now!? I have to go away nxt week on this college thing so ill be away for five days and i'll get someone to water and whatever and I can pick up some stuff if I need it to grow the seeds. Its only bag seeds...not expecting anything major but a plant or two would be nice
Im not going to go mad out expensive just need a discrete way to get these seeds to grow and maybe the seedling to do something other than look miserable!:wtf: Any suggestions for cfls or equipment on a small scale would be appreciated!
PEAS OUT!:rastasmoke:

thebeat Reviewed by thebeat on 05-28-2010. The experiment...going wrong? Right so new enough to the whole thing, i.e. site included so dunno if this is posted in the right spot or whatever but have a few bag seeds and did the whole germination in the paper towels and two popped the shell and I in turn popped them in some compost soil for seedlings and covered it with clingfilm...:) so I was thinking happy days ...however the first seed which is now about 5 days post germ has sprouted which (I am pleased to inform peeps about) but the tip is brown and since day one Rating: 5

[thebeat]

seems to be a slow reply rate here...anyhow...got through it on my own have tWo plants going now...approaching a week old. having a window grow and then perhaps a guerilla grow outside when they are big and strong!:thumbsup: but like just wondering what is the earliest I can see sex? going to start a grow log and post a few pics to show whats going on in a few days!

PEAS OUT! :hippy:

[Rusty Trichome]

If you are going to be in-n-out with an inconsistent schedule, your chances of success diminish to nil. Growing cannabis is a hands-on obsession. (hobby)

Depending on someone else to properly care for your plants doesn't usually work so well. Rarely do they have the skills nor incentive to pull it off.

If after your trip you plan on being around for a few months straight, I'd recommend you start a shopping list for nutrients and equipment, and keep your eyes open for quality cannabis genetics. Bagseed often comes with someone else's headaches bred into 'em. For instance, commercial growers are usually less inclined to cull an unseen hermaphrodite, which weakens genetics over time (successive generations) and creates substandard bagseed. Regular bagseed is usually a good way for you to form the basics. But just like a potential girlfriend, bagseed often come with 'baggage' and can be a handful.

Perhaps start reading some grow logs just to get yourself familiar with the terminology, growing processes, basic growing skills. Studying the indoor growing forum, basic gardening forum and FAQ's till your eyes bleed couldn't hurt, either. :thumbsup:

If signing-up for college, how about a couple of horticulture or plant biology courses...?

[thebeat]

oh man dont get me wrong, maybe I emphasised my "noobness" a tad too much ...I have a few years done in college and many apl modules under my belt. The fact however remains that getting my hands on equipment or even seeds is difficult for me until I am back to college in the fall. Having said that I have two ten day old...most likely indica strain plants growing now and about my trip ...well was just for five days ( it was a botanical, geological and zoological survey of a diverse landscape as part of my thesis) I have read a lot on weed and my general knowledge isn't bad. I'm around for the rest of the summer and ill most likely do an outdoor grow even with the unpredictable temperate climate and associated risks of mould. Evidently I was just looking for some feedback and I'll take you suggestions into account! Thanks again for the reply! I'll put up a grow log after I sex the plants ...until then PEAS OUT :hippy:

[eastbaygordo]

Well, RT is as good as it gets around here so if he replies you are lucky.
I am not as experienced but did make lots of mistakes so here are a few tips.

Starting:
Read the FAQs here
Buy a good MMJ book and read it

Babies/Clones:

Don't overwater
Too much light isn't good either, work them up to full sunlight
Don't feed much at all
Keep the roots warm to encourage growth
Buy a cheap timer and put your plants under a timed light, light variation leads to failure.
Do start in small pots in weak soil nutes and buy beneficial root microbes to let the roots start nicely.
Do monitor PH obsessively.
Avoid Miracle Grow and Bayer products

Veg:
Do put them in nice big pot
Don't overfeed
Don't overwater
Dont get them hotter than 100 degrees or put them in shade
Neem often
Keep area clean and dead plant material out of pots
Don't foliar feed unless you feel lucky

I use molasses, dried blood, and bone meal and no expensive nutes.

Flower:
Never foliar feed
Buy and deploy some ladybugs weekly
Buy the spray that makes caterpillars guts stop working and use it
put copper tape at the base of all plants and planters
let roots go through wet - almost dry cycles to control root rot
stop any feeding 2 weeks before harvest and flush plants with lots of waterings

Drying
Don't put flowers in jars too early
monitor plant drying
cure in glass jars

[Rusty Trichome]

Ahh. In that case I'd remove the cling wrap, too. :thumbsup:

Wasn't trying to brush ya off, per se, but some come in thinking that a little pot of soil and a window for light...and monster meds suddenly appear.

EB Gordo has ya on the right track.

Only thing I'd really add from there is the need for ventilation and circulation. Ventilation to remove old hot air, circulation on the ladies to strengthen the stems and provide fresh air to the foliage and soil.

Water ph is pretty important, might want to check local water quality reports (online) and see what's been done to to the water and the ph.

Miracle Grow isn't bad, and a few of us can talk you through the basics if that's your choice. As with any nutrient, medium, technique...it just takes getting used to, and knowing your plants.

[thebeat]

cool beans thanks for the replies, I will surely be taking this into account come September for my indoor grows :thumbsup:
As for now the growing will be done outside as after all this is still an experiment for me as an outside grow, not really interested in huge bud or mad harvests...just want to learn the ropes before I get proper good seed and stuff. As for pests outside I'm kind of worried now that you have brought up ladybirds as the aphid population might be pretty high...so I will def invest in something to stop them spreading although any of the other vegetables and plants seem to be coping well ...slug pellets is something I will need when I transfer outside too. I have a bit of time though because my seedlings are just approaching one week old. Guru men thanks for the advice, watch this space!
PEAS OUT!:hippy:

[Rusty Trichome]

Looking forward to seeing your successes. :thumbsup:

[Weezard]

You are in very good hands here.:thumbsup:

I'll jus' add one hint.
Many types of Aphids are ranched by ants!
On your plants!
How rude!

They actually carry wingless aphids up the stalk to the tender leaf, and let 'em "graze".
They turn the sap into "antcandy".
That is, they excrete a honydew that the ants harvest.

Easy thwart?
Get some tanglefoot and make a 1/2" band of it around the base of the stalk.
That stops the cowpokes.
The ladybug larvea can then munch the winged aphids un-molested by the min-paniolo. (ants)

Got some outdoor, DWC, 5 gal. buckets going and the aphids got thick!

I will not use neem, even in veg., so I ringed the bucket with masking tape and coated the tape with tanglefoot.
When it gets covered with coco, or bugs, I jus' strip it off and replace it.
One week later, can not find one aphid, or ant, on da plant.:jointsmile:

Best of luck and aloha

Weezard

[thebeat]

crazy thing the ant thing was mentioned to me by my lecturer last week and he said they were farmers and its just hitting home to me as to what he meant! That tanglefoot is a good plan think I will defo put it into practice. When the plants are worth showing i'll post a few pics! Until then...


Peas out people! :hippy: