OK good on you for starting to grow :thumbsup: but the leaves crumbling is probably over fertilizing ? if you have given them any at all... overwatering usually looks like the plant is sad and the leaves droop down all sad mind you its the same with underwatering so its kinda confusing.

1. two weeks 9 inches thats not bad, maybe a glass of water every second day i dont know just go with your instinct you will have to change the watering schedule all the time while growing...also lift the pot right after you have watered and feel how heavy it is ... then when it is light again water it again

2. Well this all depends on what lights you are using ? if you are using CFL then as close as possible without burning it(1 or 2 inch)! and keep a fan between the plant and the light to keep it cool, if it is HPS or MH then like 20 inches or something maybe closer someone else will have to tell you about this.

3. I am not familiar with the soil you are using but i havent heard good things about it (only bad) but that does not mean it wont work you will be fine.

4. male plants are bad because they do not produce the lovely buds we all strive for , instead they produce spermy banana things that will make your females produce seeds and they dont have hardly any thc in the leaves..

There are probably some more things you need to know though but it is the basics.. imp: