n00b needs advice-week old seedlings died inexplicably, what should I change for the

[kareddie]

thanks for the input Zandor...i jut germed 4 new seeds in wet paper towels and they all germed in 24 hrs, i planted them in a mix of 50% perlite 50% organic potting soil, 1/2 inch down in 16 oz clear plastic cups with holes in the bottom for drainage. the vlear cups are great, i can see the moisture level of the soil and eventually the roots. i am just letting them chill in my closet grow room, about 3' tall, 3' wide, 2.5' deep, which is lined with emergency blankets from wal mart. right now i just have a 33 watt warm white 2' flouro about a foot above them till the seedlings pop thru. i stretched some saran wrap over the top of the cups with a hole for ventilation. temp is about 75-80 in the room. when the seeds pop thru i have 120 watts from CFLs and the 2' flouro, a mix of "daylight" and warm white i will put like 3-5" away from the seedlings so i dont burn them, move the mcloser if i have stretch issues. keeping my fingers crossed to see them pop thru, i have some organic fertilizer i'm planning on using 2 weeks in. i'm trying not to plan further ahead yet in case these die too

[kareddie]

ps all the original seedlings died, i def learned my lesson about using straight soil with lots of nutes already mixed in that burns the seedlings. i think it was being released every time i watered (daily) and after a week or so the nutes built up to a toxic level. i've read stories about jiffy pots not actually decomposing when transplanting, so i figure the plastic cups are just as easy and a lil bigger.

[Zandor]

Do your self a favor and cut the bottom out of a second cup that the first cup will fit into. You don't want the light to get to the roots. Light will kill the roots and that will kill a young seedling. You don't need to transplant just wrap something around the clear part. If you use a second cup it's easy and you can still separate them and view the root growth with out light killing the roots.

[Joel]

Genius zandor!

[kareddie]

zandor you are my hero

[MeatRulz]

i wish i would have known not to use tap water b4 even tho this thread isnt about me thx stewie but i got a pond in backyard do you think i can use water from there it has high amounts of sulfer because we are using well watertho.

[Joel]

If you made that kind of a mistake, you need to buy a book and go read up...

[HARDDON]

I say you killed your pants for the same two examples Zandor related.

MG soil AND fertilizer.

With good soil no need to nute until week 3-4 and then only if it is organic in nature.

5-1-1 is good but only after week 3 or 4....

NEVER BEFORE.

ANd, MG sucks...in my opinion unless you grow vegetables to eat.

[HARDDON]

where is the fan at?

You do have one right?

I advise PRO MIX potting medium.

It has, essetnially every thing need from germ to flower.

But it online or your professional nursery should have it.

You wont find it at Lowes or T H Depot.

[stewie420]

i wish i would have known not to use tap water b4 even tho this thread isnt about me thx stewie but i got a pond in backyard do you think i can use water from there it has high amounts of sulfer because we are using well watertho.

ive just started using poland spring water and my plants
are doing well again, except i think my biggest plant is
going to be a male. anyways... i wouldnt use the pond
water just in case, you could try it for a few days if
you want just to see, but 12 bottles of water were only
like 3 bucks so i think its worth it just to be on the safe side.