Growing from seed under lights

Hi all, I went down the local growing store last week and got a growing bin which came with a fluorescent lamp and growing media, they guy at store said this is what I needed. anyway I've germinated and planted my seeds, they've all sprouted well my concern is the guy at the shop said to keep the fluorescent lamp on them 24 hours until the roots come though the bottom of the trays (they are quit small trays, 2"X4" deep) then put them under the 600w in full size pots on veg cycle (18 on 6 off) i've been keeping the soil moist for the seedlings with a few drops of superthrive in the water. Basically I just want to make sure I'm on the right track and the advice i've been given is ok. -Thanks

let the soil dry a tad before waterings, spray mist will help stimulate root growth.

so you think the 24 hrs of light is OK?

most def. some people say that 18/6 is better because the roots develope better if there is a dark period but is has been proven that the plant including the roots grow at 24 hours of light. so... neway i keep my mothers and clones on a 250watt MH 24/7 and i know there are alot of people who do. 18/6 to save on electricity i say. keep using the superthrive, in when under the 600 keep them on 18/6. what size pots will they go in? 3 gallon? how many

nine seeds, all germinated in 2 days, have now all sprouted too which took 2 days. not sure what size pots to go into next, what ever they grow shop recommend 3 gal you recon?

i have mine in 3 gallon economy pots and were a buck something each, ocean forest and light warrior. my mothers will be in 7 gallons come thins weekend. 6 that are almost done had little veg time and are just over 1ft lookin to be close to a zip a plant, some more some less. the mothers veg'd under a thousie for 6weeks then are now under a 250watt MH. they are HUGE!. 600w 9-3gallon pots will be fantastic. i suggest going with ocean forest. fox farm is a little on the expensive side but i think it is worth it when only doing small numbers and looking for premo results. mix the soil with light warrior or perlite. low matainance, great results. everything sounds coverd except the water.... what kind of water will you be using. tap, bought, RO, filtered?

just tap run through one of those water cooler filters.

you might want to invest in a ppm guage (80 or 90$) if it is too high like more then 700, then you want to be careful when feeding and if it is close to 2000 then you want to buy your water or RO. the best way i can tell (cheapiest) is test your PH out of tap. it is 7 to 7.8 and you have to add alot of ph down to get it to 6.2, then there is prolly something in the water (iron) that is restricting the ph down from doing its job. i almost lost a whole crop to this when i moved in this house. are you on well water? if not chances are your water is ok filtered if you let sit for 24h to evaporate the chlorine.

The difference between 18/6 and 24/0 is mainly speed. I need to regrow 8-10 mother plants to supply 30 cuttings every 2 weeks. I also use a 400HPS on my mums, which wouldn't be needed in any other application.


just after cuttings


2 weeks later under a 400HPS, 24/0

If you're not in as big a hurry as I am, save your money and use 18/6.