feeding questions

[dank]

good evening to all,,,, I am a noobie, first grow attempt ever!

heres what I am working with: I have 5 aurora indica seedlings in their 15th day of sprout. their in sta-green fertilizer and on their fourth set of true leaves. They have been under 4, 2foot fluros with no nutes just water. I think its time to start giving them some nutes and placing them under larger light 1000 watts. my question is,,, is it okay to give them a feeding of half strength nutes and place them under the 1000 watter? nutes are general hydroponics micro, flora, and bloom. I guess I am really asking is with them working on their 4th set of true leaves are they out of the seedling stage? and lastly, if they are ready for nutes do you feed them every other watering, or is feeding them every watering okay?

 

[Skunkenstein]

I really love my compact flourecent light for seedlings..24hrs on for 3-4 weeks. I would try to find a low NPK fert for the first few fert applications.I use a great one Alaska 2-1-2 start-up.It has b-1 and molasses,and it has not failed me yet.During veg. shoot for ferts every 3rd watering.Usually at a rate of 1tsp/gal of water..you'll be safe. On the 1000w light,keep those little guys 18-24 inches away,probably even more initially..You will burn them up. Put a fan,aimed between the top of the plants and the light to keep them cool. Give the plants 1/gal of soil per/month of life. Water at a rate of 3-4 cups/gal. depending on you're soil composition.5-10% run-off out the bottom is good guide line. I usually do a practice run with a full container of soil..water in slowly and feel the weight of the container.And note the drainge.AS the plant matures watering schedules increase..You should water,let dry,let dry,check. So every 3-4 days..again depending on container size...Good luck!!!

 

[dank]

thanks skunkenstein,,,, I feel like a little kid,,,,,,, can't wait to give them nutes,,,, just wanted to be sure.... since I already spent 75 u.s. bucks on the gen. hydro. nutes I gave them 1/8th teaspoon per gallon of ph'd 7 water, and hope I don't kill my babies..... went ahead and placed 2 of the hardiest 5 under the 1000 watter...... thanks.....

 

[Skunkenstein]

Great Fert Info..

Great Fert Info..

If you get a chance..goto the vendors forum of this site..go into Mandala seeds..read the sticky on proper fertalizer application and dosages..written by Mandala Mike...It should be a ''must'' read for everyone...Goes to show ya just how much everyone is over fertalizing their plants...Yeah..p.s I always ph down my water,out of necsecity.We have a tap water ph of 8..so it's a must do!!

 

[Cheeba]

High dank welcome! A 1000w for new grower!
Here's a link to MandalaMike's "Fertilizing Wisely"

With a nutrient solution of 0,6-0,8 EC you can't do much wrong unless you make a mistake with the feeding frequency. That's why it´s important to wait 7-10 days after fertilizing and observe the plants. How are they taking up the nutrients? Do they need a bit more or are they looking healthy enough? A slight deficiency can be easily leveled out (and does not impair flowering) but overfertilization causes irreparable damage. As you learn to observe the plants you will develop an intuitive understanding and can read small signs of nutrient deficiency that signal the best time to apply a mild nutrient solution.

 

[Guest]

I would start using half dose of a GROW nute and not bloom with Micro, leave in veg longer maybe 2 weeks,then go to 12/12 and bloom but I dont use micro in with bloom as I always thought less Nitro the better, good luck

 

[Opt1983]

You kno your plants are in need of a little bit of nutes when the Catylodes (pry spelled that wrong... a.k.a. seedleaves) start to yellow. If i were u i would go with 1/4 the recoomended dosage on the back label. Its alot easier to give your plants more nutes if they are in need..then to take them out! Once u see how your little ones respond to the 1/4 dosage... u can then decide if u want to up it to half the recomended dosage. As a first time grower, ferts can be one of the hardest things to understand at first... once u see how ur plants respond to the stuff your giving them..then u can try to tweak it out to give them as much as they can use..but not too much. go light man..and good luck! -Opt

 

[Guest]

I don't consider a plant to be out of the seedling stage untill there are alternating nodes. I would also consider fertilizing even less than every other watering I do and don't have any problems. Dont forget to flush them 2 weeks before harvest.