Few newbie questions

A few questions i have that i cant seem to answer with a bit of reading.

First, when should i switch from 24 hr light to 18/6.

And how much should i worry about keeping my plants hydrated, it seems like my soil drys out fast, first knuckle in it seems only slightly moist and the top layer is bone dry, but im watering them about twice a day. I dont want to drown my plants but i also dont want them to get dehydrated

Plants need their beauty rest too ... just go with 18/6
How old are they?
How big are they?
What kind of soil?
How much are you watering (amount)?
Temperature and humidity?
Get me the answers and I'll do my best to help

Right now im still trying to get them to breach out of the soil, so 4 days. Both are still developing roots, organic soil made here locally. 2 waterbottle caps of water, tempature changes between 71-75 and humidity between 50%-65%

Did you germinate them before planting?

Bosgrower said:

Did you germinate them before planting?

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Yes both had their taproot poking out by a few cm, planted root up

Root up? Any reason you don't plant root down?
Regardless ... a capful of water will evaporate quickly even
Without a plant involved so just keep after it.
If you have one, put it/them under a humidity dome until they get established. You might also consider adding Superthrive to your water for them. And speaking of water ... I suggest ph'd (6.5 - 7.0) r/o or distilled water until they're established.

I heard and from how ive observed the roots, it should grow faster planted root up as the taproot will only have to curve once.
Ill look at getting superthrive, and are you saying 2 caps should be enough or should i up it a few

I don't know what size pot it's in so that's hard to say, but unless it's tiny a capful over the seed wouldn't moisten the edges where you're testing door dryness

Bosgrower said:

I don't know what size pot it's in so that's hard to say, but unless it's tiny a capful over the seed wouldn't moisten the edges where you're testing door dryness

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The pot its in is about the size of a medium sized cup

the hardest thing is figuring out how easy it is. super thrive is great only a drop a cup lol. next time after planting in the cup drench well once. stop putting your finger in the cup. pick it up if its heaver it still has moisture if not its dry so add water. I don't suggesting feeding anything but microbes the first few weeks but if you must superthrive is great for young plants.

oh and if your worried abought the crust drying out so fast stop planting the taproot pointing up. if its pointed down at 1/4 inch within a day its an inch to 1.5 inches down where its still wet

I've never planted tap root up always down about half inch and lightly cover with soil. then I spray water (bottled ph water) over the top and leave. I check every day and spray. I don't place under direct light until she is above soil for 2 to 3 days . I just leave in a warm room with the ceiling light on . I feed them nothing as all the feed they need is in the soil ..compost. you put them in .. as long as you give the soil a good spray it'll be fine . I generally.put mine in the tent after 3 days ... I spray once a day .at this age ..Remember all they are doing is root growth for now . when the leaves get as wide as the sides of the pot there in or just bigger then re pot to a bigger pot. let your plants tell you when they need something. I wouldn't suggest feeding anything until there 2 ...3 weeks old and then only very small amounts ad the soil will have at least 4....6 wks feed they need in it

oh and definitely 18/6 .they need there rest to

mr buddy said:

oh and definitely 18/6 .they need there rest to

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Alright thanks for the info, im not worrying about my waters ph as it ranges between 6.8-7.1 and doesnt have any chlorine. My main concern is how easy it is to hurt the plant with how much you water it

Depression said:

Alright thanks for the info, im not worrying about my waters ph as it ranges between 6.8-7.1 and doesnt have any chlorine. My main concern is how easy it is to hurt the plant with how much you water it

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over watering is bad . u can cause root rot and other nasty things 's long as there is some moisture in the soil that's all they will need. try spraying the soil surface once a day until there established and bigger then go to a routine. u will low when they need water .. once there bigger water until you get a run off at the bottom . get rid of the run off and leave .feel weight of the pot when wet . then when it feels light re water .. get a ph and moisture tester will give u the moisture level at root

Thanks man, i guess ill figure out the exacts as i go. It shouldnt be too bad if i over or under water by a small bit

just curious as to why you wouldnt put it under light for 2 days? In my experience that makes them stretchy.

Dynamo626 said:

just curious as to why you wouldnt put it under light for 2 days? In my experience that makes them stretchy.

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I don't as it's what iv always done .. I leave in a warm humid room with a normal light on . .then add to my grow room seems to work for me

mr buddy said:

I don't as it's what iv always done .. I leave in a warm humid room with a normal light on . .then add to my grow room seems to work for me

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I would never tell someone to stop whats working for them i used to germonate under a small led. I was afraid that my strong veg light would burn them if i germonated under it as it would burn them if i didnt harden them before i went into veg. Now i just germonate in the veg room with the light all the way uo 6 ft over them. Have true leaves before its an inch tall