Indoor 1st grow white dwarf one leaf twisted and edges curling up.l please help

[infamousralphster]

ok 1st grow. one plant two weeks old. the tempature is consistently 73 to 79 degrees f and the humidity is 43 to 59. i started it in soil miracle grow organics choice in a red 20 oz cup. i have an intake fan exhaust fan and an oscillating fan. under a 225 led 15 watt light. started out well germinated sprouted and the seed popped off no problem. i kept it under 24 hours of light for the first week watering every other day. then the first true leaves came. still looked good. i noticed however a couple gnats found their way in my closet. i killed them. i was scared of eggs so i transplanted into a bigger container with same soil but mixed with sum perlite and then covered the top soil with perlite to ward off future gnats. (i heard you can use sand but it keeps oxygen from getting to the roots) now my first set of true leaves are looking good. some tips are lifted but overall good. now the second set is the problem. one is growing significantly faster and larger while the other is twisted around. there is no discoloration however. i trimmed the two (i guess) starter leaves when the second set of true leaves came in probably a no no. im going to upload a picture. any help would be appreciated. also i do have a 90 watt led on the way.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Welcome to AFN!

It's easy to panic at this stage of your first grow. There's also a tendency to go into "overcare". So, let's try to avoid either one.

1) It's best to let the plants and pots determine the watering schedule. Water thoroughly and take notice of the weight of the pot before and after watering. When the pot starts to feel light, water again.

2) I've heard of using sand to create a barrier for fungus gnats and I have a friend who has been using it the last 6 mos. with no ill affects. I have not heard of using perlite. Hope it works out.

Regarding the symptoms you see with your plant: The plant has been through a lot of stress for its age. Transplanting and cutting leaves off can take some air out of the sail. Also, I haven't seen any reference to pH and pH issues can cause leaves to be somewhat deformed.

So, IMHO, this is what you need to do to the plant right now... nothing! Let's watch it for a little bit to give it some recovery time.

If you're not monitoring your pH, you need to. It's best to get a pH pen ($20). If you can't afford that (which I couldn't when I first started), you can get an aquarium pH tester from the pet store that uses color bands (about $5). That way, at least you know what the pH of the water you're adding is.

The other advice I would offer is this: Go slower. It's hard not to over-tend when just watching them grow is so fascinating. Through the course of the grow, you will see different things going on with your plants. It doesn't necessarily mean there is anything bad wrong. There are a lot of very experienced growers on the site (not referring to myself) who will be more than happy to help someone who is learning. And, most importantly, if you ask for help on this site, you get the right kind of help. Nobody is going to embarrass or belittle you. You'll get encouragement and answers. So, if you see something that makes you nervous, come ask, like you did this time... except, before you do anything. :thumbs:

 

[TshirtNinja]

Bro your on track. Don't overthink the grow process too much. You will make some mistakes but just let the plant talk to you. If it's green it's happy. And stop cutting leaves!!!! You will severely stunt that plant of you keep that up at this stage of growth. Try and wait until it shows sex then start lightly trimming fan leaves if they cover bud.

 

[infamousralphster]

Thanks alot. I definetly wont trim anymore leaves. On the ph however i do have a tester but its kinda a p.o.s. It wont test the water at least i dont think (the needle doesnt even budge). Also when i test the soil the reading bounces all over the place it wont give me a consistent read. Can anyone recomend a quality ph tester and what to use to test the water. Right now using a 4 in 1 rapitest. (light, ph, fertility, and moisture).

 

[Red eyed c]

Try Your local hydro shop mate they will stock and give u advice on a good ph tester,If not try eBay, got mine off there and it only cost me £10,u can check your waters ph and also the run off to see how the soil is doing

 

[JM]

the 4in 1 rapitest is the one i have... its fine... but when you plunge into the soil you have to make sure it has firm contact with the soil and that the soil is moist enough... if the soil is dry use some distilled water to moisten round the meter.... that meter wont test water though... might wanna pick up a hannah p teser... the 918108 H (or some number like that... not in front of me atm)


yeah... this one:

http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=NNMMTtrVGYXZgAflqbX_DQ&ved=0CFUQ8gIwAA#

 

[infamousralphster]

I'll give the rapitest another shot when i water next. Prolly gonna be around sunday monday. What should i look for as far as the plant goes when it needs water im pretty sure that i started off a little ambitious and over watered it.

 

[Red eyed c]

When I water I feel how heavy the pot is after a good watering,I then keep checking until it feels light,it's worked well for me as I work outa town alot and if I'm away the wife takes care of business

 

[infamousralphster]

Lighting

Thanks alot everyone. Very informative. I have one more question. The light im using now is a 225 led 15 watt red and blue light panel. I have a 90 watt led ufo red blue and yellow that i want to put in there. Currently my 15 watt is 8 inches from my plant. Should i ease the 90 watt in there and about how far away should the light be. Can i use them both?