New Grower I got this stuff. Tell me what I am doing wrong before I do it.

[oldster]

Hi SB and welcome to AFN. If you have not already done so how about stopping by introductions and tell folks about yourself.

I would go with the CFL to start out and then switch to the 400W MH for veg and the 400W HPS once the plants really start to bloom.

I have used the peat pellets in the past and the issue with them is that the tap root of the seedling will quickly grow out the bottom and get damaged. Auto's have such a short life that anything that negatively impacts the roots will effect overall plant development. As soon as you see the plants pop above ground get them into their final pot ASAP

I am guessing the Sunshine mix is the #4 blend? that should work well to tone down the FoxFarm. I would still add additional perlite something like 3 parts of the two different soils and one part perlite.

If you don't already have a pH soil probe and a pH meter they would be a good investment. Peat based soils all tend to go acidic over time and the faster you catch it the better.

Looking forward to seeing your grow. Good luck

 

[theSmilingBandit]

Any idea how long it will take for the seeds to germinate? Nothing yet. I germinated some lettuce seeds along with them to compare...the lettuce seeds sprouted last night, apparently. I am beginning to think it is too cold in my home, about 70 degrees

 

[9bear]

Any idea how long it will take for the seeds to germinate? Nothing yet. I germinated some lettuce seeds along with them to compare...the lettuce seeds sprouted last night, apparently. I am beginning to think it is too cold in my home, about 70 degrees

I germinated all of mine at 65 to 70 degrees in paper towel in the kitchen cupboards . Some took as long as 5 days to germinate others 3 days to pock their bald little heads out .

 

[sassy sue]

I use the rappid rooters which are like peat pots but made of cocoa. All my seeds have sprouted and routed in less than 5 days and roots out the bottom in 7 days, last batch was quicker.
I put soak the rappid rooters. drop in the seeds. place them in a sunblaster grow garden
(made for counter top gardens, has a resevoir for water all around the bottom with a matt that wicks the moister up to the plants and has two SunBlaster 6400 Kelvin T5HO fluorescent tubes) with a humidity dome on them. When they start to look soggy, humidity dome is removed. I start all seeds this way and I have literally had 100% success.

 

[theSmilingBandit]

My set up is almost exactly like that, without the dome. But they have little pots that wick up the water. they may actually be coir, not sure. I gave my buddy four seeds, and 2 of his have split, keeping my fingers crossed. I also put a little strip heater under the water tray to heat it a bit.

 

[theSmilingBandit]

Well, it is one week later, and three seeds have germinated, and I have hope for one or two more. I am happy! Even if it is only the three, I think that is plenty for a first grow.