Plants showing some problems.. 1st grow help please

Snowman1

Active Member
Hey guys long time lurker, first time grower. Well im about 11 days in on my grow (from when seed was planted) and I dont know whats going on with my plants. I strongly suspect either I overwatered them (pretty sure I did, well was) and/or there is a N def. They were a really deep dark green when the first 2 leaves sprouted then when the next 2 leaves spouted it started to droop. I cut back slightly on my water when I noticed that and since baby plants dont need alot of water I figured it was the smart thing to do (5 days in). After that really didnt help all that much I cut back even more (to how often im watering now, see below) but still nothing. My #1 plant started to get those little dark spots on the corners of the leaves at about day 7. Now the leaves are super droopy and yellowing, the spots also seemed to get bigger and more of them. I dont know if its because my RH is low but the soil drys out pretty fast (finger in soil method) so thats why I was watering them pretty frequently originally. I havnt watered them at all in 2 days so far, hoping the drying out would help. Checked the soil this morning and I went down to my second knuckle and it was pretty dry, very little dampness that deep.

Germ'd using paper towel method (bagseed, picked healthiest looking seeds)
FFOF soil in 4" party cups (6 drainage holes)
8 - 26w 5500k CFL's using DIY reflector, 8" table fan on LO blowing over the bulbs
Lights on 24hr kept about 1" away from tops of foliage
Ventilation I have a 8" table fan on HI (exhaust) and 2 passive intakes (6" back and a 4" side)
Temps avg 79-81f with RH avg 35-36%
Watering - Was using my pail every other day and misting the top soil on in between days (PH was 5.5)
- Now using my pail every 2 days and stopped misting with my spray bottle (PH is 6.8 now)





#1



#3

 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
No nutrients! Young plants not only do not need them they do not yet have the mechanisms to even begin to metabolize or use them. Straight water only and stop snooping around the hydro shops. Water only for a week, no nutrients for at least 2 more in this case. It really is that simple.

Where does that vent lead to? Intake I hope? How about fans? Note the plural. You need more than one. That light is too close at 1" even for a CFL.
 

Snowman1

Active Member
The exhaust fan takes a right turn after the cardboard wall I made and dumps out into the next room. The 6" passive intake goes straight out into the back like its aimed and the 4" passive intake is behind the box with the fan ontop, the left side of the first picture but you cant see it. I tested my hand on the lights and there was basically no heat with my other fan blowing over the bulbs but ill raise it up a couple inches.
 

Snowman1

Active Member
straight fox farms ocean forest, not cut with anything else. Maybe it looks dry since I havnt watered them in 2 days.
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
The exhaust fan takes a right turn after the cardboard wall I made and dumps out into the next room. The 6" passive intake goes straight out into the back like its aimed and the 4" passive intake is behind the box with the fan ontop, the left side of the first picture but you cant see it. I tested my hand on the lights and there was basically no heat with my other fan blowing over the bulbs but ill raise it up a couple inches.
Basically then by leaf color and shape and height I would suggest backing off with that light about a foot.
 

Snowman1

Active Member
The only thing I can think of is if I was over watering it, it was releasing too many ferts into the soil and it was to much for the baby plants.
 

HotShot7414

Well-Known Member
Contrary to what people say your seedlings do use nutrients N-P-K(All 3 but mainly N-P),if they didn't my seedlings wouldn't double in size from using bloom nutes(with proof).They look over watered and N deficient which most likely comes from the wood chips being in the soil as wood chips sucks away Nitrogen.
 

Snowman1

Active Member
So I should just transplant them into the new soil mix? All this time I figured I was using the best so I went out of my way to use the ocean forest lol..
 

Dice Clay

Active Member
every man's/woman's soil mix is a very personal thing that they develop with feel over time. It is rare that anything pre-made on this earth is tailored to your specific needs whether it be clothes, tools, or soil. Altering to your needs is a necessary and fun part of growing :) I like a light fluffy substance that breaks apart easy when wet. Mine is just a suggestion not a rule.. I just find it is a beautiful mix at that ratio.
 

HotShot7414

Well-Known Member
every man's/woman's soil mix is a very personal thing that they develop with feel over time. It is rare that anything pre-made on this earth is tailored to your specific needs whether it be clothes, tools, or soil. Altering to your needs is a necessary and fun part of growing :) I like a light fluffy substance that breaks apart easy when wet. Mine is just a suggestion not a rule.. I just find it is a beautiful mix at that ratio.
I'm using MG potting mix and it's tailored to my needs already but if i start from scratch id make my own soil.Although the MG POTTING MIX WORKS!!!
Other miracle grow products kinda suck.
 

Snowman1

Active Member
Ok thanks guys, this was more of an experimental first grow anyways. Im going to transplant them into a different soil and see what happens.
 
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