Couple quick noob questions...

boolmag

Member

• Oct 12, 2007

• #1

Having trouble finding this info...

- Should the lights be on immediately after putting your germinated seed into the soil or is it better to wait until it first pops out of the soil?

- Apparently seedlings don't like drafts, but having a fan blowing on you plant will help toughen it up. At what point is it ok to turn the fan on & start blowing on the plant?

 

Abstract Pillow

Member

• Oct 12, 2007

• #2

boolmag said:

Having trouble finding this info...

- Should the lights be on immediately after putting your germinated seed into the soil or is it better to wait until it first pops out of the soil?

Click to expand...

Doesn't really matter, but if you let her pop out to (too many hours of) darkness she will stretch and have a long stem. Better to turn lights on immediately imo.

- Apparently seedlings don't like drafts, but having a fan blowing on your plant will help toughen it up. At what point is it ok to turn the fan on & start blowing on the plant?

Click to expand...

Not sure what's the best method, but I've turned the fan on immediately after they pop up.

Good luck!

 

facelift

This is the money you could be saving if you grow

Veteran

• Oct 12, 2007

• #3

I've only had a hard time getting the seeds to sprout a few times, but ever since I started using fresh seeds that are between 6-18 months old every seed has come right out of the soil a few days after planting.

As for the fan, it's pointless to use a fan while waiting for the seeds to sprout, but once they start growing you should keep a low fan on them, as they get bigger you could up the speed if you wish.

 

G

Guest

• Oct 12, 2007

• #4

Simple like already stated. Put the lights on right when the seedling breaks the surface. Put the fan on low and maybe some distance away then also. The theory is the small hairs on the stem will feel the constant air flow will be picked up by those hairs and make the seedlings grow thick.

 

boolmag

Member

• Oct 12, 2007

• #5

Great thanks!

 

mtnxbiker

Member

• Oct 12, 2007

• #6

I don't think the plant needs light till the first leaves start to unfold. I started the light cycle before the plants even pupped up, just to be sure.

Awesome avatar BTW
Tool rocks!

 

mrgrowmez

Member

• Oct 13, 2007

• #7

i just left the lights on...so they knew they were wanted

and i had a fan blowing on em from day 0ne

 

TheAfficianado

Member

• Oct 24, 2007

• #8

The lights can supply warmth which will stimulate seedling growth, depending on strain, as well as giving the seedling an extra "clue" as to where the exit from it's soil cocoon is. It is good to put a fan on low early, even if you have to "stake' the seedling gently, as it will begin to develop a thicker stem sooner, as was mentioned above. All of this, from my experience, and I believe in several books as well.
The Afficianado

 

boolmag

Member

• Nov 30, 2007

• #9

Here's another one...

Up here there's no one that carries PH up/down for plants, but there's a pool shop that has it for pools in granular form. Is it the same thing/can this be used for plants?

 

F

floroscroger

Member

• Nov 30, 2007

• #10

They sell it in pet stores for aquariums.

 

boolmag

Member

• Nov 30, 2007

• #11

Really? I'll go check it out then...Thanks

 

panopticist

Sneak attack critical

Veteran

• Nov 30, 2007

• #12

boolmag said:

Up here there's no one that carries PH up/down for plants, but there's a pool shop that has it for pools in granular form. Is it the same thing/can this be used for plants?

Click to expand...

My money is on NO...

But this brings up another question.
Are you growing soil or hydro?

With hydro I understand the need for direct pH balancing, but it seems unnecessary for soil grows.

If you apply dolomite lime to your soil mixture before planting anything in it, it should provide enough of a buffer to prevent you from having to worry about pH during your entire grow.

 

boolmag

Member

• Dec 1, 2007

• #13

Ok I just got back from all the pet stores in this rinkydink town, of course no one has any ph up/down. Everyone only has "water conditioning" tabs/powders...I did pick these up at wally's for cheap:

http://www.junglelabs.com/pages/details.asp?item=TB640

Wonder if these will do the trick?

And the dolomite lime...Only one place in town had that, but now that winter's here it's gone, only available in the summer

 

8bitNES

Member

• Dec 2, 2007

• #14

My rule is if it isn't meant for plants that will be consumed, I stay away from it. You won't know what kind of chemicals they might put in there that would be toxic for human consumption. Products meant for aquarium plants might be OK since fish can live in the same environment but there are a lot of "fish OK" products that are actually bad for the fish which might be bad for us too especially in a vaporized form.

I keep low level lights on my seedlings even before they break soil. Usually sprouted with shaded sunlight in the belief that they'll receive some energy from the light.

8bit

 

F

floroscroger

Member

• Dec 3, 2007

• #15

If you cant find anything else, Vinegar will bring your ph down as will lemon juice. Ashes of any kind will bring ph up.

 

pandapuffin

Member

• Dec 28, 2007

• #16

floroscroger, how much of the vinegar, or ashes should you add?? Say for 1 plant..

 

pandapuffin

Member

• Jan 2, 2008

• #17

i guess I could get off my lazy ass and answer my own question with a ph kit huh?? ha.