Plant Rescue! CFL lighting

[repherz]

pls keep in mind i am a first timer and am open to ANY suggestions:rasta:


ok, at a buddy of mines house on his back deck we started throwing seeds into these decent size clay pots that were about half way full with potting soil. we really had no intention of starting a garden but when we sprouted about twenty plants in the three pots we couldnt resist. my friends brother transplanted almost all of them into containers and brought them inside, they were leaving for talladega to see the race. i grabbed up the ones he didnt bring inside and brought them home, i sprouted a couple more at home in my window sill. they stayed there for a couple days, only getting sun for about half the time it was out, my apartment is in the back of the building on the top floor, so when the sun is above and on the other side of the building i get no direct light.
long story short(er) i have set up this:
i have a recessed linen closet in my bedroom with 3 shelves, the bottom one about 3 ft or so from the floor. the entire closet is already a matt white color. the colset has a folding door that is metal, the front was painted white but not the back. the shelves are wood painted white too, top and bottom. i left the bottom shelf on as to create a box at the bottom, but took off the top shelf and put it against the back of the door so all four sides inside are white. i have a lamp, and two lights with the clamps, all three have 100 watt CFL bulbs, cool white 100watt CFLs were on sale four for ten dollars at home depot. i lined the floor with plasic over the carpet to protect from water and reflect light.

i put them in this setup two days ago with two incadesent lights, it was all i had. i mixed the potting soil i had with some scotts potting mix and added some root stimulator and miracle grow (small amounts of both) to water and mixed up the soil. i have to get new pots so they all have their own home still.

they seem to have stopped growing since all this has happened. they were growing in the sunlight but ovbiously werent getting enough. i dont know if it is the light but i hope the CFLs i put in today will help. im starting them on 24 hr cycle to see how they will do.

suggestions? how often to water? miracle grow ok? lights ok? im brand new at this help me out. im gonna go take pics right now and post them in a few so everyone can see my setup so far, limited funds so its not much at all, im growing macguyver style and shit, lol stuff from the basement, at my parents house, lamp from the living room, moms containers, my plastic on the floor was actually already on the floor in my closet it had a comforter and a blanket in it. whatever works,.. anyws im gonna go take some pics be back soon

repherz Reviewed by repherz on 05-05-2006. Plant Rescue! CFL lighting pls keep in mind i am a first timer and am open to ANY suggestions:rasta: ok, at a buddy of mines house on his back deck we started throwing seeds into these decent size clay pots that were about half way full with potting soil. we really had no intention of starting a garden but when we sprouted about twenty plants in the three pots we couldnt resist. my friends brother transplanted almost all of them into containers and brought them inside, they were leaving for talladega to see the Rating: 5

[repherz]

ok here are the pics:




















i have to get another fixture and get the lamp out of there obviously, im going to pu some foil on the back of the door too so its not obsorbing the light. i have a fan outside the door i keep it cracked so the air can move at least a little, i want to buy a small fan to put inside.

[repherz]

there is some pics of the little guys in there too, not much to look at now tho, wish i knew what strain they were, could be anything

[GrowinGreen23]

no more MG get more lights and transplant into seperate pots they'll never have enough room all together

[repherz]

yeah i want to put them in their own pots, im going out tomorrow to pick some up, is it ok to leave the little ones together you think? what about nutrition?

[repherz]

here is some more pics, apparently my links up there dont work (*stoner error:rasta: )

[repherz]

i went in and lowered one light right on the big pot, i can already see the plants move toward the light i know they have been waiting for some real light they can use

[9ski9]

Get the plants separated right away. As soon as the tap roots tangle, you'll hurt them trying to separate them. I'd take off the reflector on the one CFL. If it doesn't screw off, then remove the bulb and cut it off with metal shears---then put the bulb back on.

Then get the plants to within ONE INCH of the tops of the plants. Either lower the lights, or wrap books in foil---dull side showing---as booster seats to bring them up.

My first choice is to use mylar for reflection. I also wrap my pots in foil (I don't care if it's dull or shiny side out for the pots, but some people demand you put the dull side out).

After repotting in their own pots, I'd sprinkle a coating of white rocks on the soil surface. I use white marble or granite, since it doesn't absorb water. This reflects lights, wherin the dirt would be absorbing the light.

Don't feed them for two more weeks. They already have some Miracle Grow (which is frowned upon because it's time-released and you have no control), so you'll only nute burn seedlings.

Buy a little bottle of SuperThrive at a garden center. Add a few drop to every gallon of water and use it at every feeding for their entire life.

At three weeks, I'd start feeding with bat guano, which you can find online.

I'm guessing you don't know your tap water's PH? I'd really suggest using bottled water, with a 6.8PH. PH test kits can be found near the aquariums in a pet store for $5, or so.

I'd also be sure to have a small fan blowing on them 24/7. This will strengthen their main stems. This is a must. Fans are cheap.

You could have a nice stealth grow in your space. Every step you take to improve their home will really pay off.

[repherz]

i went in my lights are about two inches off the pots i raised them up and lowered the lights down. not sure on the ph but i have been letting water sit for about two days before i use it i read that somewhere. i have a fan outside the door wich is cracked but im going to get a small one to put in there with the plants on the floor or something.

btw thank you so much for the advice man its greatly appreciated

[9ski9]

No prob...BTW, I suggested you remove the reflector because it traps heat and you can't get it as close to the plant tops. And get the fan close enough so the leaves flutter; don't blow 'em down, but make it strong enough to show movement.

And if they are looking a little stretched and skinny when you are repotting them, don't hesitate to burry them a little. Meaning, add soil so less of the stem is showing. It'll firm them up for their new life next to the fan.

Good luck!