My First Grow Attempt

[rybuds]

Hello everyone im new to the msg boards and to growing plants period. i got some seeds from a friend and decided to try growin them. i germinated them first and i have planted 3 and so far they are all startin to grow. so far its been like 3-4 days since planting and all im doing is just watering them when the soil is dry. i was wondering when to start changing what i feed them and what to feed them. i keep them outside on my screen porch currently but i will probably bring 1 in under a light. so far the picture attatched is of the best one i was just wondering if it looks healthy so far (probably a stupid question but hey im new).

rybuds Reviewed by rybuds on 10-17-2006. My First Grow Attempt Hello everyone im new to the msg boards and to growing plants period. i got some seeds from a friend and decided to try growin them. i germinated them first and i have planted 3 and so far they are all startin to grow. so far its been like 3-4 days since planting and all im doing is just watering them when the soil is dry. i was wondering when to start changing what i feed them and what to feed them. i keep them outside on my screen porch currently but i will probably bring 1 in under a light. Rating: 5

[rybuds]

bump

[doco]

It wants more light so it's stretching. Other than that, it's too new to tell. You don't need to feed it anything but water for the first few weeks.

[Anathema2121]

Go buy a couple compact fluorescent lights (8-14 dollars at wal-mart)and put them 2-3 inches above the leaves. That will make them stop stretching. When you transplant bury all that stem up to an inch below the bottom leaves. The stem will turn to root. If the stem gets too tall and weak, splint it up with a soda straw split lengthwise til you transplant(take it off before transplanting)

[rybuds]

thanks i probably will have to put up asplint because it is gettin kinda weak i think it mite tip over. when i get lights should i leave them on it 24/7 or what?

[rybuds]

also would it be a good idea to wrap the inside of a box with tin foil and have the plant and the light inside?

[Major-punk]

I've heard a couple times that tin foil can create 'hot spots'. But I don't think these hot spots will be serious and if your plant is looking for light the foil will help.

[rybuds]

alright but what about the timing of the lighting? should i leave them on 24/7 when i get them or what?

[NeuroGheist]

Foil screwed up my last grow attempt...i'd only suggest using it when your plant is SCREAMING for light. Otherwise...avoid, as it can slowly, but surely, scorch your plant.

With seedlings...the lighting should always be 24/0, untill the plant begins vegetative growth. This is assuming you have a fairly weak flouro light (80 watts). If like me, your flouro is 150 watts...then cut down (a bit) on the lighting. As too much, can burn the living fuck out of your plant. A high wattage flouro should have a lighting sequence of 18/6. This will prevent your dirt from drying out too much, as well. As high watt lights, put out alot of heat.

Or if you want to use a convenient lighting sequence, keep the lights off untill it's dark outside. Then turn them on. Go to sleep. Wake up. Then turn them back off, when it's light outside. If it's sunny outside, then technically, that sort of is a 24/0 cycle. Depending on if your plants are getting that sunlight when it's daytime. =P

[dutch.lover]

Another thing that works well as a splint is a bobby pin stuck in the soil curved end in- so the open ends point up and the stem rests between them. get what i mean? its easy to adjust also.