New Grower 1st grow evah! WOS Afghan Kush Ryder w/pics.

[Muddy]

You can add a little sulfur as I described in my previous post. Just mix it into the top inch of soil being careful not to disturb the seedling. If will break down and watering will carry it down into the rest of the soil.

I'd not seen the pH pen that KS posted. That's a good deal and Hanna is a good name. That's only about $10 more that anything you'll find in WalMart or Lowes, including the test kits, and a much better product. I've seen many new growers buy a cheap pH meter or a test kit only to turn around a month later and buy a better meter. I like the Hanna Combo I have. It also checks ppm which can be useful to check your base water and the strength of your nute solution.

Here's what I do with my seeds. I soak them in some pHed water till they crack. In the mean time I get my pots filled and water them good. By the time the seeds crack in a day or so, the pots have drained out good. I poke a 1/2" deep hole, put the seed in and cover it with some fine peat moss. You could also take some of your potting soil and work it through a small piece of screen, like from a screen door or window, or a little kitchen strainer. Then I use a spray bottle to get the peat moss wet. With no or few roots in the pot yet it will take a week or so, depending on heat and humidity, for that pot to dry out. By the time it needs water again your seeds should have sprouted. I do keep the top layer moist with a spray bottle until the seedlings are up and the first set of leaves are open. Seeds want a warm, moist, not wet, environment to sprout in. After that I just water when the pots feel light.

So if the seed is already in the mix what would be your advice for lowering the ph? Also, since I don't have the cash flow for for a high end pen, would some of the test kits be better to use? (I saw them at the store)

Also, quick question on watering, at this phase (put the germed seed in the soil on Sunday), how much should I water? Like I said earlier I used a spray bottle to wet it down before planting, and gave it a spritz yesterday and today. I've heard the stories of over watering, just don't want to under water either. Mind you the seedling hasn't even broke ground yet. Thanks!

 

[atpmixx]

Muddy, thanks for the ph tip. Im off to the nursery now to pick up some sulfur.

I gave my girl a good dose of water today to moisten up the entire pot. I did not soak it previously before I planted the germed seed. I did though spray down the top layer of the mix before I planted her, and have given a little spritz everyday (since Monday). Hopefully I havent made a fatal mistake this early on. When should I expect to see her break ground? It has been 5 days today since she was planted.

I also got my first lesson in watering an airpot! lol Had no idea of how much water tends to fly out when you water. Lesson learned!

 

[Muddy]

Since you hadn't pre watered the soil I'm thinking the misting wasn't getting deep enough to keep the seeds moist, otherwise I would have expected them to be up by now. But now that you've given them some, I expect you'll see something soon.

 

[atpmixx]

Thanks Muddy! You've been a real great guide through all this. (I say that knowing Ill most likely keep bugging you for info along the way )

 

[Muddy]

You're welcome. That's what I'm here for, to help new growers like yourself. Ask away.

 

[atpmixx]

Hey Muddy, or anyone else who wants to chime in, I dropped my germed seed in the mix 1 week ago. I did not presoak the mix, which I learned I should have, but I was keeping the top layer moist with a bottle spray. I gave her a decent amount of water on Thursday, enough to moisten the entire pot. It's Sunday now, and nothing has broken ground.

Am I shit outta luck? Did I screw her up? Or should I still be patient and wait to see if she's alive in there. I have 3 more beans I can start over with if need be. Just dont want to pull the plug too early.

 

[Muddy]

It's hard with just a spray bottle to keep the top layer moist more than about 1/4" or so. If the seeds were planted at say 1/2", its possible they were sitting in dry soil. Since you've given them a bit more water I'd give them another day or two. They might have only started to germ then. Also, they need warm conditions to germinate, around 85 degrees or so. If your soil temp is too low they have a hard time.

 

[atpmixx]

So your saying not to give up quite yet? lol

 

[The Squid]

No don't give up yet man. Let em rock out for another couple days. But if you haven't seen anything by then I'd say they didn't make it. I've heard of seedlings popping out over a week later though so you never know. Good luck sir.

 

[SeNiOr-FuN-gHi]

i wouldnt give up bro, just try to increase the moisture of the soil and the temperature like muddy says, my friend did a little experiment to see if seeds would actually germ better in those heated domes they sell for seedlings, and i dont remember exactly what temp he had it at, and which temperature the control was at, but it was roughly low80s for the dome and the control which was in a plastic tuperware with a hole, took a day or two longer for all the seeds to have atleast their taproot exposed. maybe if you can find the seeds and put them into plastic cups with a bit of moist perlite or vermiculite, and cover those with clear wrapping or something and add a bit of heat you may get lucky. but that also may be a bad idea so hopefully someone around here points you in the right direction. also use gloves or handle the seeds very delicatly with tweezers, from what ive heard and read the oils on your hands could act as a sort of water repellant and slow the seeds germination process. all the best to you and good sprouting karma sent your way