Some questions about first grow (pics)

[Deadly Fear]

Alright here's some info about the plants:

They are bagseed, and about 4 weeks old. I had them in MG soil first off on the windowsill (that's why they look a little stretched) until I repotted on sunday, 3/12, into 12'' pots. Into the new pots I mixed MG organic soil with vermiculite and perlite. Ordered worm castings and bat guano that will be here on tuesday, 3/21. The plants are under 5 150w CFLs that produce 2600 lumens each for a total of 13000.

Plant # 1:

Plant 1

Plant # 2:

Plant 2

Plant # 3:

Plant 3

This is my first grow and I'm kind of stuck on a few decisions, not knowing ultimately what will be the best route to go.

Should I wait for the organic nutrients to come in or should I use this chemical mix that I have now on the third plant? It's looking kinda droopy and I just watered it this morning. Also, do I need to totally repot when I add the organics, or can I just mix them into the soil they're in now?

Here's what chemical nutes I have waiting:

Ironite Plus (12-10-10)

And how long before I switch to 12/12? Another week or two? Will be able to tell the sex soon, just need a little guidance and some advice on where to go in the next couple weeks. Thanks so much!

 

[Guest]

They look ok, small for 4 weeks, make sure you keep those 150w(42w) bulbs as close as you can, as much as 1 inch from the tops of your plants. The third one looks like it is over watered and they ALL need more soil in their pots ASAP. Take them back out very carefully if you just did the transplant and add more soil then put them back in and add soil on top up to the first leaves on that stretched on(pic one). Other than that they look good.

 

[Deadly Fear]

Thanks, Turkish. Do you think I can let it wait until tuesday? That way I can make a new soil mixture completely with the MG organic, perlite, vermiculite, worm castings, and bat guano.

With the third plant I didn't water it until it was drooping badly. It seems to be doing a little better after watering.

 

[Blackmelo]

they do look small for 4 weeks.

What kind of bulbs are you using?

What is the colour spectrum?

how far are the bulbs away?

 

[Deadly Fear]

I said the bulbs are 150w 2600 lumen, apart from that I don't know much else. Know enough to get by but not be quoted on technical stuff.

The bulbs are 1-2 inches away from the plants.

 

[Guest]

Great advice from Turkish there. Yes, get some more soil in the pots and add a few more lights if you can. I've seen some spiral cool white CFL's at Home Depot that are the perfect spectrum for veg. More soil & more lumens & I'll bet your plants will begin to take off.

Good luck.

Bh

 

[Deadly Fear]

Bipedal maybe you can help answer the question I asked Turkish. Can it wait until I get the organic nutes on Tuesday and then just do a repotting then? Or should I add the soil and just work in the nutes when they get here?

 

[Guest]

I'd say transplant now. And worry about nutes later.

 

[Deadly Fear]

In that case I will buy more soil tomorrow and repot them. When the organic nutes come in I will do the same thing.

Do they need to go 12/12 any time soon?

 

[Blackmelo]

hey deadly,
I'd follow Bipedalhominid advice and get those cfls.

Otherwise, it looks like your soil is just fine the way it is. Wormcastings and bat guano are an ammendment that you add to your soil when the nutes have been used up by the plant. Your soil should still have plenty of nutes and will not need more additives at this stage.

Keep the guano and wormcastings and look into recycling your soil. I urge every1 to recycle, but it hardly costs more to buy new soil each time so up to you if you want to be wasteful or not.

 

[lemonade]

Hmm I dont know why everyone is telling you to transplant LOL. How deep are those pots you have the plants in? About how many inches of soil do you have in there?

I've had plants bigger than that grow in 16oz dixie cups without probs. I'd say let em grow till the roots have completely taken over the soil and are poking out the bottom, and THEN transplant. Next time though, fill the pots completely till they're full, eh?

Anyhow, i'd say your plants are doing very well for a first timer. I'd mix in more perlite to that soil next time though. Like 20-30% perlite.

Oh, and your question about 12/12....How big do you want them to get when theyre done? Depending on the genetics, the plants can double, or even tripple in size after switching to 12/12.

 

[Deadly Fear]

There's a good 7-8 inches of soil in there. Only bought one bag so I had to divvy it up. When the nutrients come in on Tuesday I'll buy two bags and repot.

Thanks for the tip on the perlite, I will add some more. How about the vermiculite, a little less (10-15%)?

Will probably wait a little bit until the plants are in the new mix to go to 12/12, so I guess in the next week or two. I'm not too concerned about yield or size, I just want to have the plant live past flowering so I can get a good feel for what to do next time when I do it right

 

[Guest]

Hmm I dont know why everyone is telling you to transplant LOL. How deep are those pots you have the plants in? About how many inches of soil do you have in there?

I've had plants bigger than that grow in 16oz dixie cups without probs. I'd say let em grow till the roots have completely taken over the soil and are poking out the bottom, and THEN transplant. Next time though, fill the pots completely till they're full, eh?

Anyhow, i'd say your plants are doing very well for a first timer. I'd mix in more perlite to that soil next time though. Like 20-30% perlite.

Oh, and your question about 12/12....How big do you want them to get when theyre done? Depending on the genetics, the plants can double, or even tripple in size after switching to 12/12.

I'm telling him to transplant because that barky patio plus soil is garbage for marijuana. Also he is not utilizing the pot size he has. I am not saying to transplant to a bigger container I am just saying he needs more soil in the pots and better soil.

 

[Suby]

MG soil, contrary to what some say, is fine quality of soil, it does happen that the ferts in it are a little hot for seedlings but very rarely.
The soil should have enough in it to tide the plants over for a little longer IF you transplant them, they do look a little hungry but I don't think they're root bound.
If you use guanos and EWcastings then you need to compost the soil for two weeks before anything will be available to your plants, bacteria needs a little time to do it's thing.
Make a compost tea with your ingredients, it's easier to gauge feedings with a tea plus you can add all sorts of goodies like molasses and liquid seaweed, PM me for instructions on making a killer EWC and guano tea.
You could also topdress the soil with EWC and guano, everytime you water you will release some of their nutes.

A side note: I don't use vermiculite, i roughs up the mix nicely but holds too much water and i like my soil to dry out faster rather than slower.

.02$

S

 

[Deadly Fear]

I PMd you for the recipe, thanks! Yeah it does seem like I need to water these guys more, hence why the third one was drooping a bit. Wasn't used to giving them so much water now that the soil has vermiculite in it.